Shelter In Place

1
Shelter In Place

• Shelter In Place or Evacuate?
• Considerations in Emergency Response

2
Introduction

• Shelter-in-place and evacuation are recognized
  protective measures which are employed when
  responding to emergencies.
• Emergencies involving hazardous material releases
  or spills are considered here.
• Local agencies have two courses of action
  involving public safety.

3
Shelter in Place vs Evacuation

• There is very strong bias toward choosing
  evacuation rather than sheltering in place.
• This is natural, because of the long experience
  of first responders with evacuation, and the
  comfort people get from doing something active
  rather than something passive.
• Shelter In Place vs Evacuation How do we decide?

4
Critical Factors in Decision Making

• Delay time expected before release begins
• Size of potential release / explosion / or fire
• Duration expected
• Direction to safety for evacuation
• Building tightness (Safe haven)
• Number of people in the emergency response zone

5
Facilities and populations with special needs

• Hospital, nursing homes
• Schools, day care centres
• Hotels / motels
• Churches
• Campgrounds, mobile home parks
• Shopping centres, movie theaters
• Jails, others

6
Two essential questions

• 1. Is there enough time to organize a safe and
  orderly evacuation?
• NO then always advise people to shelter in
  place with doors and windows closed
• YES then the next and much more difficult
  question is
• 2. Is it likely more people will be harmed if
  they try to evacuate rather than shelter in
  place?
• The Shelter In Place decision chart can be used
  to help determine which action will harm the
  least number of people.

7
Conclusion

• If the building is not on fire or filling with
  explosive / toxic gases tell people to stay
  inside!
• evacuate when time and safety can be assured.