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Project Library

9 results

Shelter Plan Online Training (2014)

This E-training was designed to provide learners with knowledge about how to carry out their assigned responsibilities in a shelter. The training builds on the shelter management aids already developed by WRHSAC including Regional Shelter Plans, Regional Standard Operating Guide, Job Action Sheets as well as and many other guidance documents. The training also contains all of the forms necessary to carry out shelter operations under the National Incident Management System. Click here for the training modules and more information.

Reference: Online Shelter Training, Shelter Planning, training

Faith-based Organizations Outreach for IRAA Emergency Preparedness (2013)

The goal of this project is to protect lives, to minimize physical/psychological trauma from disasters, and to reduce peak demand on EMDs/First Responders by developing new capacity for IRAA emergency resilience by building on and extending previous work achieved by the Western Mass IRAA Preparedness Project to include faith-based and cultural centers. This project advances the mission of the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives: “To build resilient communities among faith-based and community organizations.” WRHSAC has developed this project through several phases. More recent phases of the project have focused on utilizing faith based organizations to build a Rest Center network in Western Massachusetts. Click here for more information.

Individuals Requiring Additional Assistance Informational Video

Emergency Rest Centers Informational Video

 

Reference: Evacuation, Fatih Communities, Indivduals Requiring Additional Assistance, Shelter Planning

Functional Needs Sheltering Standard Operations Guide (SOG) Guidance and CEMP Annex (2013)

Building on previous WRHSAC IRAA projects and following up on feedback from multiple exercises conducted in the region, the WRHSAC Individuals Requiring Additional Assistance (IRAA) Standard Operating Guidance (SOG) and Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) Annex project was established. The working group for the project is compiled of responders from throughout the region and state agency partners including DPH, MEMA and the State Office of Disability. FFY2010 funded.

This project established checklist style Functional Needs SOGs for municipal Emergency Management Directors (EMD), shelter managers and other first responders. It developed a Functional Needs CEMP Annex template for municipalities to use as a guide. Learn more here. The project was completed in 2013.

Reference: Functional Needs, Indivduals Requiring Additional Assistance, Shelter Planning

Regional Shelter Planning (2013)

This initiative includes the development of a regional shelter plan template, the use of this template to develop regional shelter plans and the initial implementation over a two year period. The plan templates are complete and can be downloaded here. Medical guides listing pharmaceutical and other medical resources are also included. Additional initiative partners include the American Red Cross, the Medical Reserve Corps, the Western Massachusetts Disaster Animal Response Teams, Community Emergency Response Teams, local emergency management directors, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, local police chiefs, local fire chiefs, regional public health coalitions and other municipal representatives. This project is ongoing.

Reference: Shelter Planning

Sheltering Equipment /Supplies (2013)

WRHSAC continues to support the preparedness efforts of local and regional emergency shelters through purchasing emergency sheltering equipment. The equipment is available on an as needed basis throughout the region. Equipment includes eight shelter equipment trailers; additional cots, blankets, etc located at regional shelters; light towers; highway message boards; mobile generator; and DART trailers. See the Resource Guide for more information about specific equipment. This project is ongoing.

Reference: Shelter Planning, Sheltering Equipment

Mass Care, Sheltering and Evacuation (2012)

The WRHSAC has coordinated several project related to preparedness planning for mass care, sheltering, and evacuation for the region. These efforts link into recently statewide efforts. Much of the work done by WRHSAC is being used as templates for the statewide projects. The WHRSAC projects include:

  • Regional Shelter Planning – Establishing regional disaster response shelters, developing plans, and identifying needed resources and equipment.
  • Evacuation – Developed evacuation maps for primary and secondary routes and alternate routes throughout the region.
  • Mass Receiving Planning – and developing plans to receive evacuees from other areas.
  • Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) Response Planning – Developing common operating picture response plans to local and regional incidents for DART teams.
  • Faith Community Partnership for Preparedness – Establishing partnerships between faith communities, first responders, and municipal official to enhance the capacity to care for citizens in disaster response.
  • Sheltering Equipment & Supplies – Establishing caches of sheltering response related equipment. Examples include: sheltering equipment trailers, DART equipment trailers, light towers and highway message boards. See the Resource Guide for a full list of equipment.
  • Public Emergency Communication Strategies – Researching the most effective ways to communicate with the public before, during and after emergency incidents/disasters.
  • Website Revision / Redesign – Enhanced the WRHSAC websites to provide emergency response tools and information to first responders and provide personal emergency preparedness information to the public. WRHSAC.org and WesternMassReady.org

Reference: Evacuation, Public Emergency Communciation Strategies, Shelter Planning, Sheltering Equipment

After Action Reports for June 1 Tornado & Tropical Storm Irene (2012)

WRHSAC conducted regionally based After Action Reports to review the regional response to both the June 1, 2011 Tornado that touched down in Hampden County and ran into Worcester County, and Tropical Storm Irene 2011. Both AARs showed the many strengths and areas for improvement in the response from first responder agencies throughout the region. WRHSAC uses both these documents to identify areas of need in emergency preparedness. The documents are considered “sensative but unclassified.” WRHSAC has therefore decided not to post the documents to the website. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of either AAR, please contact Susan Brown, Homeland Security Program Manager.

Reference: Public Safety Communications, Shelter Planning, Tornado, Tropical Storm Irene

DART Response Planning (2011)

The Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council undertook a unique disaster planning / preparedness, response and recovery initiative designed to enhance the capabilities to meet the needs pet owners and pets during and following emergencies and disasters. Entitled the Western Massachusetts Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) Initiative this project developed Pet Friendly Shelter Response Planning Templates and Materials. The materials were produced specifically for the DARTs in western Massachusetts, however any DART team is welcome to utilize the tools. We simply ask that if you use or modify the tools to your needs, that you give credit to WRHSAC as the source of your materials. The materials can be found here. Microsoft Word versions of the documents are available. Please contact Susan Brown, Homeland Security Program Manager.

Reference: Disaster Animal Response Team, Shelter Planning

Individuals Requiring Additional Assistance (IRAA) (2011)

Emergency preparedness for Individuals Requiring Additional Assistance (IRAA) Functional Needs is an area of ongoing focus for the WRHSAC. Accomplishments of the project to date include: “Let’s Make A Plan” emergency preparedness education for IRAA individuals and support agencies; continuing operation planning for CBOs that support IRAA; first responder awareness training; IRAA sheltering considerations and emergency response strategies specific to the deaf and hard of hearing. To learn more and access documents visit the project website page.

Individuals Requiring Additional Assistance

Reference: Functional Needs, Indivduals Requiring Additional Assistance, personal emergency preparedness, Shelter Planning