Jackson County Leaders Train Setting up an Emergency Shelter
Story & Photos by Bill Davis, Public Information Officer, Jackson County
When a disaster occurs and residents can’t go home or they need to evacuate, having a shelter where the public can go is critical. Jackson County leaders and area partners recently trained in establishing and setting up a shelter to be ready if that day of disaster arrives.
Roland Hamrick, program manager, Specialized Consulting Services in Shelby, North Carolina, led the drill.
“Today we’re doing the full-scale exercise for Jackson County on sheltering in times of disaster,” Hamrick said. “We’re here today finishing up a series of exercises and planning that we have done for Jackson County.”
Establishing a shelter takes a team, and that leader is the Jackson County Department of Social Services.
“Statutorily, the Department of Social Services in each county is responsible for operating an emergency shelter for the first 72 hours of any sort of emergency crisis that a county may face.”
This drill was held on Oct. 22 in response to a winter storm and the shelter for the drill was established at the Cashiers-Glenville Recreation Center, one of nine such locations that could be used as a shelter here in Jackson County. In addition to the Department of Social Services, officials from other county departments – Public Health, Sheriff’s Office, Public Works, Transit, Animal Control, Emergency Management, 9-11, Public Information, Parks and Recreation, Department on Aging, and others – participated.
Practicing setting up a shelter before an emergency is key. Officials say it’s important to have the staff to support the shelter, from bringing in cots, checking people into the shelter in a calm manner, helping them feel comfortable, and assisting with keeping people safe.
“If we do it in a controlled environment like today, when we have to do it in an emergency situation, it’s going to be a lot easier on us,” said Zeb Holland, director, Jackson County Emergency Management.
Jackson County will initially establish the shelter, and The American Red Cross will typically transition to operation of the shelter after 72 hours. Mandy Shields, community disaster program manager with the American Red Cross, has a few suggestions as you come to a shelter.
“If you can bring some things from home to help make you comfortable,” that will help your stay, says Shields. “Bring your favorite pillow and maybe a blanket and medications. Expect to make new family, because a lot of times, people feel that way when they leave.”
The types of incidents where folks might need a shelter are typically a weather event – winter storm, flooding, wildfires – or maybe a hazardous spill or some other situation in which people need to evacuate their homes.
Weatherford and his team at the Jackson County Department of Social Services work daily to meet the needs and quality of life issues for the public; establishing a shelter during a crisis takes it even one step further.
“It’s a more hands-on approach,” said Weatherford. “Coming out from behind our desks and reaching out and being with people, relating to people, and helping people first-hand through something that can be a traumatic experience. It does require people that are able to pull their boots up and get out there and help people and meet people where they are at.”
The training also simulated real-life scenarios, such as shelter residents who wanted to bring their pets, which officials recognize is important to have, whether on site or a safe location elsewhere. The training also dealt with law enforcement issues, such as restraining orders while dealing with a domestic violence concern, and those who may speak other languages, deaf, or have cognitive or mental health issues. It’s all done to help prepare Jackson County leadership for…what if.
Partnerships, preparation, and practice are key to success…for stakeholders, public agencies, businesses, private sector and non-governmental organizations.
Weatherford stresses just “how important clear communication is, how important it is to get to know your partners, and to know who you are working with. It’s important to practice, to be ready, and be prepared for anything we can.”
Partnership building is key, especially since the county will initially establish a shelter for the first three days, followed by operation by the American Red Cross.
“It’s amazing to get to exercise with the team because when we transition over, it’s good that some of us already know you instead of being complete strangers,” said Shields.
Hamrick says it boils down to teamwork to help others in need.
“The more people that know each other, and the more face time they have with each other, the better they’ll come together and gel as a team during the disaster,” said Hamrick.
Officials realize that having to go to a shelter, whether for a short time or longer, it can be an anxious and stressful time.
“During times of emergency, they might have to leave their home, and our goal for the shelter here is to make sure that they’re comfortable and they feel safe when they come here to a shelter,” said Holland.
Holland also encourages residents to sign up for CodeRED to receive emergency notifications. Residents can sign up here: https://www.jacksonnc.org/emergency-management/codered..
Officials will also coordinate timely messaging through traditional and social media to inform the public which shelters are operational in the county.
While this exercise was held at the Cashiers Rec Center, the exact location of a shelter could be at any of the nine locations throughout the county that can be used as shelter. The key is being ready to help keep the public safe.
“At the end of the day, it’s about protecting the citizens of Jackson County,” said Hamrick.
Jackson County officials will determine which location and size of the shelter will best meet the needs of the public during an emergency situation, and the specific shelter location will be established and announced, should the need arise. If other locations are also deemed necessary, that will also be announced. Not all shelter locations will always be open at the same time, but this is the list of potential shelter locations here in Jackson County:
Blue Ridge School
Cullowhee Valley School
First United Methodist Church
Jackson County Department on Aging
Jackson County Recreation Center in Cullowhee
Jackson County Recreation Center in Cashiers
Scotts Creek School
Smokey Mountain Elementary School
Smoky Mountain High School
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