Regional Shelters

1. Regional Shelters • At 1st difficult sell • Concept now catching on • Still local Responsibility • Major Event – Regional Shelters • Presently Region 5 Shelters – Bethel-Danbury-Middlebury/Southbury- Torrington-Waterbury Two other locations being developed

2. Functional Needs Sheltering • Meeting the needs of a diverse population • Everyone at some time may have a functional need requiring additional assistance • Let’s look at one City’s solution….

3. One city’s approach to Functional Needs Sheltering Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and The City of Torrington CT

4. Activation of the Shelter • The shelter is a city shelter • The shelter is open under the authority of the Mayor and EMD. • CHH assumes the responsibility of the shelter • Efforts are coordinated through the City’s EOC • Once open, the shelter is staffed with an EMS provider. • Residents using the shelter, must be able to care for themselves or have a family member with them that can.

5. Avoid Sheltering But Just In Case • Whenever possible, the equipment and supplies are delivered and set up 24 – 48 hours before the event. (Unified Pre-Planning meeting) • This isn’t always possible, as we learned from Storm Alfred. • Local medical equipment provider, Doyle’s Medical Supply assists with the delivery and set up of all equipment.

6. Sheltering Equipment • Hospital beds • Oxygen Concentrators • Oxygen Tanks • Disposable supplies • Toiletry items • Linen • Personal hygiene

7. Sheltering • In some cases the social admissions or Emergency Department boarders will be taken to the shelter. • These are residents without power and have ended up in the emergency department. • They have no medical needs that require a hospital admission • Under special circumstances DPH OEMS permits EMS to transport resident to the local shelter with medical oversight.

8. Staffing the Shelter • Coordinated by CHH • EMS provider (Paramedic) • Hospital employees • Coordinated with the City • Local MRC • Local Sheltering volunteers • Regional CERT Sheltering Team

9. Sheltering • Communications • Phone • Cell phones • Two way radio is kept on site • Email • Text messaging

10. Getting back to normal • CHH is responsible for the cleaning of all equipment and supplies • CHH takes care of the cleaning of the shelter area

11. Lessons Learned • The rest rooms in the shelter are further away than at home • When out of the home environment residents do not function nearly as well and are not nearly as independent. • Store as many supplies and equipment on site

12. Our Local Community Planning includes • Skilled Nursing Facilities • Assisted Living Communities • Home Health Agencies • Durable Medical Equipment Provider, Oxygen Companies. • Senior Centers • Meals on Wheels (nutritional programs)

13. Hospitals need • Support from the elected officials • Support from the community • To Coordinate local emergency preparedness efforts within the healthcare community • Participate in community planning • Be active in local schools • Participate in training with CERT teams, And MRC teams

14. New Fairfield

16. New Fairfield High School • Meals • Warmth • Showers • Charging electronics Senior Center

20. 8am Breakfast – 10am Lunch 12pm – 2pm Dinner 5pm – 7pm October 2011 October 2012 • 11,666 meals • 8 days • $2.72/meal • 4,923 meals • 4.5 days • $3.50/meal

22. Halloween Trunk or Treat