Document Type

Report

Publication Date

6-10-2020

Pages

24 pp.

Conference Name

Logistics including Evacuation Transportation, Shelter Operations (congregate/non-congregate), and Supplies, June 3, 2020, Workshop Conducted Virtually

Abstract

Participants in the CONVERGE COVID-19 Working Group’s Workshop 3 on Logistics breakout sessions identified key issues that included population considerations, training needs, continuity of operations and resources still available, site planning (i.e., feeding, registration, shelter design, resources, family unity), facility requirements, and supplies needed during a hurricane evacuation.

Operational safety measures and population considerations were mentioned throughout the workshop. This included the need for identifying additional resources, facilities, and staffing to be able to ensure safety is a priority while accommodating social distancing recommendations and the needs of vulnerable populations and staff. Workshop participants emphasized the need to identify new partnerships for critical services and alternative site locations for sheltering to increase evacuation and sheltering capacity. This entailed the need for reassessing existing contracts with transportation and sheltering to ensure they are still operational and have the staffing and resources to support the logistical needs for evacuating vulnerable populations and the public to shelters.

In addition to identifying what is needed for logistical planning there is a need for understanding facility requirements, availability of buildings and needed supplies for operating non-congregate and congregate shelters. Infrastructure and shelter design were discussed to provide context on how jurisdictions are providing support in their shelter operations that maintains infection control measures, social distancing and keeping family units together. Staffing and training needs for both transportation and shelter operations was a concern and various ideas were proposed as solutions.

Questions were raised in the workshop about designing infrastructure in the future that would allow us to have an increased number of facilities for sheltering during a hurricane, or to serve as a refuge of last resort. What does the registration process look like during this hurricane season? How do you handle the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies needed to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19? A few participants highlighted the need for logistical procedures and guidelines for pet evacuation and pet-friendly shelters along with service animals.

ORCID

0000-0003-3599-1417 (Yusuf)

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