The HazMat training that allowed first responders from Clark County the opportunity to practice for an actual event wasn’t limited to fire and EMS professionals. The Clark County Emergency Management office also tested their skills and provided an opportunity for the American Red Cross to set up a shelter at Greenon High School for testing their volunteers as well.

On October 5, 2016 the scenario took place near the guard base which is in the Hustead Fire Department jurisdiction. This would mean that anyone affected by the hazardous materials that needed to be evacuated would be sheltered in the general area which in this case was the local high school.

Volunteers under the direction of Shelter Manager Gail Elm set up check in tables, cots and blankets and prepared for anyone who might need a place to stay until the all clear was given to return home.

Marc Cantrell, Disaster Program Specialist worked with the volunteers regarding the rules related to sheltering individuals during an emergency.

The New Carlisle News spoke at length with District Program Manager Randy Earl regarding how the scenario of a major weather related event might be handled in our area. Earl explained that the Red Cross is deployed by the county Emergency Management in our area. Before opening the shelter, photos are taken to insure that the location is returned to the way it was found including documentation of any damage to the facility that might already exist. As part of the team, mental health and health and safety volunteers are also called upon to respond.

Earl explained that a shelter is considered temporary housing and a place to provide meals in the event of an emergency. A Red Cross shelter must carefully screen each client prior to allowing them to enter the facility. This would include completing a number of questions with the intake staff such as if they are on any medications or if they have special needs of any type. Clients are not permitted to bring drugs into the shelter and if daily meds are needed, they must be doubled locked and handled only by the medical staff.

In the case of those who bring in babies or toddlers, the shelter can provide cribs and diapers. For Hospice clients, the goal is always to seek out alternative locations.

After Hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf coast, many clients show up at shelters with pets. Earl explained that the shelter cannot accept pets unless they are a verified service animal. The shelter would contact local animal control agents to see if they have space to kennel the pets. If no animal shelters are available in a large scale disaster, pets could be placed under a large portable tent in crates until families can go back to their homes. Pets are not permitted in the human shelter locations due to allergies and other hygienic restrictions.

On average setting up a shelter after being contacted takes the Red Cross about 4 hours although they strive for much less time. For families who suffer a loss due to fire, the time is normally around 2 hours.

The HazMat Exercise proved to be a valuable tool to allow all of the agencies involved in a manmade or natural disaster to not only share their cross training, but also to critique their practices to improve them.