FEMA 453 Design Guidance for Shelters and Safe Rooms

m In the initial phase (hours and days) of a catastrophic
disaster, organized and spontaneous sheltering will occur
simultaneously within and at the periphery of the affected
area as people leave the area. Additional congregate
sheltering may be required for those evacuating to adjacent
population centers.
m The wide dispersal of disaster victims will complicate Federal
Government assistance eligibility and delivery processes
for extended temporary housing, tracking, and need for
registering the diseased, ill, injured, and exposed.
m More people will initially flee and seek shelter from terrorist
attacks involving CBRE agents than for natural catastrophic
disaster events. They will also exhibit a heightened concern
for the health-related implications related to the disaster
agent.
m Long-term sheltering, interim housing, and the mass relocation
of affected populations may be required for incidents
with significant residential damage and/or contamination.
m Substantial numbers of trained mass care specialists and
managers will be required for an extended period of time to
augment local responders and to sustain mass care sheltering
and feeding activities.
m Timely logistical support to shelters and feeding sites will be
essential and required for a sustained period of time. Food
supplies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
positioned at various locations across the country will need to
be accessed and transported to the affected area in a timely
manner.
m Public safety, health, and contamination monitoring expertise
will be needed at shelters following CBRE events. Measures to
ensure food and water safety will be necessary, and the general
4- 8 EmErgEncy managEmEnt considErations