Mass Care Mass care is a critical function in response to wild - fires, especially when evacuations are ordered by fire departments. The American Red Cross (ARC) may play a key role in providing support for these mass care facilities. This might include the estab - lishment of mass sheltering, feeding, distribution of emergency supplies, and reunification activities. Quite often, city or county parks have pre-screened parks or locations to establish these centers. 56 The ARC also spends significant efforts assessing locations for its suitability as evacuation centers prior to any disaster, including wildfires. In larger urban areas, there may be dozens of locations identified. In smaller jurisdictions, environmental public health staff might reach out to determine if locations have been established and any concerns they might have. There are a number of key cooperating agencies involved with the services provided at an evacua - tion center. Identify those key players, their respon - sibilities, and how they can assist. Oversight Environmental public health plays an important role in overseeing all aspects of mass care facili- ties including sanitation, food safety, minimal toilet facility requirements, and available resources. Often, the ARC will have mental health support, medical support, and documentation processes to ensure participants are known and can be located by relatives and concerned people outside the wild - fire area. The ARC is extremely efficient in estab - lishing pre-designated evacuation centers, then providing all the logistical support to ensure mass care functions are successful. Mass care facilities are established as soon as needed when homes are evacuated. ARC staff are well trained to ensure confidentiality of information collected to ensure only the right people get that information. Mass care facilities may also serve as information hubs so fire author - ities or others can share updates and status infor - mation. Special needs issues may arise and require resolu - tion, typically through the ARC. • Evacuations are communicated by fire and police agencies responsible for notifying the public and advising where evacuation centers are located.
Sample Forms • Environmental Health Assessment Form for Disaster Shelters CDC • Environmental Health Disaster Shelter Assessment Guide • Environmental Health Assessment Form for Disaster Shelters During Covid-19 CDC • Guidance for Environmental Health Assessment Form for Disaster Shelters During Covid-19 CDC Sample forms can be downloaded at: bit.ly/wild - fire-guide. Immediate Response Objectives • Monitor wildfire activity and direction to determine whether WUI or other residential areas will be impacted. • • • Make contact with ARC representatives, or other players, to determine options being considered for mass care facilities and any support needed. • Track locations of mass care facilities for future evaluations. • Determine whether staff will be involved with the establishment of mass care centers before they are populated to guide safe and effective use of those locations. 74 Recovery Objectives • Document locations of evacuation centers and conduct inspections to ensure compliance with requirements. • Work with evacuation center staff to make necessary corrections. • In some situations, wildfire updates can be funneled to evacuation centers and meetings held with fire representatives to provide status reports. • Ensure compliance with standards for the duration of time evacuation centers are open to the public. • In some situations, and when they are available, the ARC may arrange for evacuees to stay in commercial facilities such as hotels or motels. Staff should know where these are located and be available to answer questions or address complaints. • Address any animal care needs and where residents can take their animals.
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