ESF6 Mass Care

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                     South Carolina Department
of Social Services
ESF-6 Mass Care

To Meet Basic Human Needs in Disaster
Situations DSS Serving Children Families To
ensure safety and health of children and adults
who cannot protect themselves and to assist
those in need of food assistance and temporary
financial assistance while transitioning into
employment
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Emergency Support Function ESF6 Mass Care,
Emergency Assistance, Housing and Human Services

• SC Department of Social Services
• Primary Agency
• Support Agencies
• The American Red Cross
• The Salvation Army
• SC Department of Health and Human Services
• SC Department of Health and Environmental Control
• SC Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon
  Services
• Lieutenant Governors Office on Aging

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Emergency Support Function ESF6 Mass Care,
Emergency Assistance, Housing and Human Services
(cont.)

• School for the Deaf and Blind
• American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
• S. C. Assistive Technology Program

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ESF 6MISSION

• To organize within state government the
  capability to meet basic human needs (shelter,
  food, clothing, inquiry, and emergency social
  services) in disaster situations and to outline
  responsibility and policy established for Mass
  Care operations before, during, and after a
  disaster. (SCEOP, Annex 6-1, April 2008)

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ESF 6 Is

• Sheltering (existing or constructed facilities)
• Feeding (fixed sites, mobile feeding units)
• Bulk distribution of food and supplies
• First aid at mass care facilities and designated
  sites
• Disaster welfare inquiry.

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ESF 6 Is

• The American Red Cross is the primary
  organization that operates mass care shelters in
  South Carolina. Both the American Red Cross and
  the Salvation Army provide feeding capability
  through their own resources.
• The Department of Social Services and DHEC will
  jointly open Special Medical Needs Shelters
  (SMNS) in South Carolina. DHEC will manage SMNS.

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DSS Disaster Response Services

• What is the purpose of this service?
• The primary purpose of Disaster Response
  Services (DRS) is to coordinate Mass Care
  operations during disasters. Mass Care
  encompasses sheltering, feeding, first aid at
  mass care facilities and family well-being
  inquiry. DSS is designated as the lead agency for
  coordination of Mass Care. DRS is responsible for
  coordinating all Mass Care administrative,
  management, planning, training, preparedness,
  mitigation, response and recovery activities. DRS
  is supported and coordinates with the American
  Red Cross, Salvation Army, DHEC, and other state
  agencies/volunteer relief organizations to meet
  basic human needs (shelter, food, clothing,
  inquiry and emergency social services) in
  disaster situations.

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DSS Staff Disaster Duties

• Mass Care Coordinator
• State Assessment Team ESF-6
• Staffing assistance to designated ARC and SMNS
  shelters only
• Staffing assistance to County EOC ESF-6 Mass Care
  Desk
• Disaster Food Stamp Program
• Food Service Coordinator ESF-11
• Staffing assistance ESF-18 Donated Goods and
  Volunteer Services

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What is Sheltering?

• When emergencies or disasters occur, people
  will be directed to seek safe refuge. Sheltering
  is often the most critical element in protecting
  yourself and others in times of disaster.
  Sheltering can be either short or long term
  depending on the emergency

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Seeking Refuge Outside the Affected Area

• When people are instructed to evacuate their
  homes and seek shelter, they may choose to stay
  at a friends or relative's house in a safe area.
  
• If staying with friends or family isnt an
  option, then refuge may be sought in a public
  shelter.

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Types of Public Shelters

• General Population Shelters
• Shelters of Last Resort
• Special Needs Shelters

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General Population Shelters

• Are pre-identified.
• Have generally been inspected by the American Red
  Cross to meet its minimum standards or those of
  another entity tasked by the local government to
  manage the shelter.
• Have a minimum of trained shelter management
  staff.

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General Population Shelters (CONT)

• General population shelters have restrooms and
  the ability to prepare or distribute a limited
  range of pre-cooked meals. There could be a nurse
  on duty for first aid level of care.

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A Lifeboat Not a Cruise!

• Think of a public shelter in terms of a
  lifeboat rather than a cruise ship. Public
  shelters are designed to be temporary and meet
  only the most basic needs. They may be schools,
  recreation centers, and other facilities that are
  quickly turned into shelters during the chaotic
  environment of an emergency.

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Shelters could include?

• Vacant schools or municipal buildings.
• Available commercial or government warehouse
  space
• Vacant office buildings or available office space
• National Guard/Reserve unit facilities
• Vacant stores in shopping malls
• Union organization halls
• Religious facilities
• Airport facilities

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Service Animals

• The Red Cross permits the presence and use of a
  service animal in its shelters.
• Care and supervision of a service animal is the
  responsibility of the individual.
• Red Cross shelters do not accommodate pets.

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Shelter Considerations

• Red Cross shelter populations usually consist of
  individuals who are self-sufficient and need
  little assistance or care.
• Some clients may require accommodations, such as
  limited assistance, or other modifications.

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Questions?

• Michael.Kalec_at_dss.sc.gov
• 803-898-7835