Shelter Operations ES Qualification

[RiverAux]

Background
One of the things that CAP is sometimes asked to do following disasters is to help other agencies operate emergency shelters.  This is not specifically mentioned as a mission in 60-3, but seems to be routine enough that perhaps it should be.  Sidebar -- Personally, I have long said that CAP desperately needs a real disaster response doctrine that would include this.

And although 60-3 doesn't mention it, the Red Cross shelter operations course is mentioned as one of the qualifying courses for the disaster relief ribbon. 

Justification
1.  As a basic rule of thumb, we should have a training program for any type of operational mission that we perform. 

2.  Having a formal training program will bring this sort of mission to the attention of people who might not have thought about it before.

3.  As more people become aware that this is something that CAP is actually interested in doing, more CAP members will take the training. 

4.  Having more people trained in this specialty, will make it more feasible for CAP units to work with the appropriate local agencies to make them aware that we would like to help in these situations.  The increased level of local awareness and cooperation will therefore lead to more requests for CAP to assist in this sort of mission.

5.  Having CAP work with the local agencies overseeing shelter operations will also increase our visibility to other agencies and individuals who deal with our more traditional SAR role and perhaps lead to more requests for the use of CAP in that role as well.

How to do it?
I don't believe that we need an incredibly complex or long SQTR for this.  While the obvious solution would be to require that the person take the Red Cross shelter ops course and have a few CAP-specific tasks  added on, but I really am not a big fan of this since Red Cross course availability varies widely.  Most small town units are not going to have a Red CRoss chapter nearby and making them travel to take this course just doesn't make sense.

Instead, I would recommend that we use the Red Cross Mass Care and Shelter  Operations courses as a jumping off point for developing our own course.  I wouldn't be adverse to letting the Red Cross courses substitute for most tasks so that those squadrons with RC chapters nearby can take advantage of that option (if they are willing to pay for it). 

The only pre-requisite would be GES. 

Some will say that this is not an appropriate use of CAP given that it falls outside our core competencies.  I would argue that during a disaster, there will be plenty of other CAP members available to take aerial photographs or whatever real SAR is associated with the event, but that most CAP members will still be sitting at home with no assigned mission.  This would be something for them to do.

[Major Carrales]

The Disaster Relief Ribbon has, if I remmeber correctly, a requirement to take a shelter management course.

I think the idea of service is key here.  In times of disaster recovery sometimes there are personnel shortages.  I could imagine CAP Officers and Cadets as an augmenting force, however, we must give priorities to our assigned mission.

Imagine if we had a shelter that needed staffing and three CAP officers and a few cadets join in on that because CAP is already tasked and there is no resources for them to participate.  Then they are committed to the shelter and cannot in good grace disengage when there are CAP resources.

Still, I can see it as possible.

[ThorntonOL]

This would be definately a possible idea as there will be some members who aren't cabable or willing to go on ground operations and/or air operations and don't want to really hang around base doing nothing but waiting.

[RiverAux]

Given that our "traditional" missions are aviation oriented, we're really talking about two mostly separate groups of people.  

Now, one squadron may not be able handle running a shelter and a normal ground team mission at the same time, but thats the good thing about having statewide and national programs -- we can always bring in other folks if we get in a bind.  

[wingnut55]

Than they should join the Red Cross or Salvation Army. We should stay off of other volunteer agencies turf, that's a good way for CAP to loose public credibility. CAP can barely provide enough air crews for 350 aircraft.

if you look at MOUs with the RED Cross they are the providers along with the Salvation Army

CAP is not that type of organization. maybe we should ask;

How many CAP members have enough food water and supplies to get them through a major incident?

if not CAP fails to provide mission readiness to the American People.

We have lot's of things to do during a mission

[Major Carrales]

Than they should join the Red Cross or Salvation Army. We should stay off of other volunteer agencies turf, that's a good way for CAP to loose public credibility. CAP can barely provide enough air crews for 350 aircraft.

if you look at MOUs with the RED Cross they are the providers along with the Salvation Army

CAP is not that type of organization. maybe we should ask;

How many CAP members have enough food water and supplies to get them through a major incident?

if not CAP fails to provide mission readiness to the American People.

We have lot's of things to do during a mission

Don't be so quick to dismiss possible mission taskings.  The future of such organizations such as ours is interoperability.

Suppose some organization calls the NOC for a shelter tasking.  What would happen if they should say..."Sorry no, we stay off of other volunteer agencies turf."  I would imagine that they would take the mission.

Would we have the personnel?  Can't say that I know.  I can see a few people scoffing at the idea.  Others would jump at the chance. 

[RiverAux]

This is not a possible mission tasking, but one that does happen on a regular basis and has for quite a long time.   

For many years CAP had a MOU with the Red Cross specifically saying that one of the ways we would assist them would be to provide manpower for shelter management.  That MOU was allowed to expire since traditionally we supported the Red Cross through local agencies anyway, so the current standard request to NOC was sufficient.  

In no way am I suggesting that CAP take a leadership role in running shelters, but that we instead help whatever agency is running them.  And this is not always a volunteer agency task either.  The National Guard routinely operates emergency shelters. 

[Major Carrales]

This is not a possible mission tasking, but one that does happen on a regular basis and has for quite a long time.   

For many years CAP had a MOU with the Red Cross specifically saying that one of the ways we would assist them would be to provide manpower for shelter management.  That MOU was allowed to expire since traditionally we supported the Red Cross through local agencies anyway, so the current standard request to NOC was sufficient.  

In no way am I suggesting that CAP take a leadership role in running shelters, but that we instead help whatever agency is running them.  And this is not always a volunteer agency task either.  The National Guard routinely operates emergency shelters. 

Are you talking about USAF Assigned Missions or Corporate Missions.  Shelter Management would likely never be a USAF Tasking, but should it be a request from a State or Federal Government via a Corporate Mission tasking...what then?

[RiverAux]

It can be done as both depending on the type of disaster.  If it is a presidential disaster it very well could be done as a AFAM mission. 

[Major Carrales]

It can be done as both. 

I still think, not so much the former as the latter.

[davedove]

In no way am I suggesting that CAP take a leadership role in running shelters, but that we instead help whatever agency is running them. 

Since we would not be running the shelters, it makes sense to me that instead of developing our own training, we should use the training already developed by the agency running the shelter.  In most cases, this will be the Red Cross, so we should use their training.

I'll grant that it may be difficult to get their training, for whatever reason, but I think that would be most appropriate.

[tarheel gumby]

In no way am I suggesting that CAP take a leadership role in running shelters, but that we instead help whatever agency is running them. 

Since we would not be running the shelters, it makes sense to me that instead of developing our own training, we should use the training already developed by the agency running the shelter.  In most cases, this will be the Red Cross, so we should use their training.

I'll grant that it may be difficult to get their training, for whatever reason, but I think that would be most appropriate.

I wholeheartedly agree we won't be in the lead in this type of operation, as to getting the training for ARC Disaster Operations it is easy to get but may cost a few coins though. I am a first aide and safety instructor and  have been asked to take the disaster operations training several times. I think that it would be a good way to make ourselves more flexible and capable in the over emergency services mission. Just my humble opinion though.

[chiles]

A few comments on this. CAP's territory is Emergency Services which certainly can involve assisting in shelter operations. Just because a hurricane comes roaring through doesn't mean they'll be a great need for flight ops and ground team response. For example, Hurricane Isabel, which hit Baltimore in 2003, had a shelter response but the damage was limited to flooding in the Inner Harbor and Sparrow's Point. There was little need for any ground team operations, as there was no surge in SAR or missing person searches, and air damage assessment need was limited. However, there were a great deal of displaced people due to power outtages and local damage to homes. CAP could have been used to assist in shelter operations.

Also, the Red Cross is often written into plans as the key institute for shelter operations. I have worked on capability assessments for various State and local agencies (my day job) that found that though the plans and the operating procedures stated the Red Cross would handle sheltering, the Red Cross in that area constituted a single person (and in one case that person had died of natural causes two weeks before we did the assessment). There are plenty of areas where CAP can help with shelter operations. Even if we are force multiplying a single person who is "in charge".

My squadron meets at a Community Center where we are given dedicated space so long as we agree to assist the Red Cross with shelter operations. We use the Red Cross as our source of training. However, it would be rather nice to have an SQTR that helps get our people properly trained in how CAP functions as a secondary entity of the Red Cross and not just Red Cross material.

I don't think this is an encroachment of anyone else's turf. We can help. Wings and squadrons can sit down with their Red Cross representatives and Emergency Management agencies and see where our services can be best used and what the priorities would be in the circumstances by which we'd be called upon for shelter operations.

[Eclipse]

Than they should join the Red Cross or Salvation Army. We should stay off of other volunteer agencies turf, that's a good way for CAP to loose public credibility.

As a point of fact, we are increasingly being requested to assist in shelter ops in my parts, and we did it recently in KY, giving out close to 30,000 meals, a similar amount of water and kerosene.

Hands are hands, which are generally what is needed during these situations.

I also agree it needn't be complicated - GES and the ARC shelter course.

[jimmydeanno]

My squadron, over the last year or so, has invited Red Cross instructors to teach both the Shelter Operations course and the Shelter Management course.

All in all, we've had 30 people trained in both.  The local Red Cross chapter is aware of all of our qualified individuals and is able to call on us if needed. 

The Red Cross does a great job with logistical support, locale and setup/breakdown of shelters.  However, I really don't see a need for an SQTR/Qualification. 

What would you add that is CAP specific?

You mention using another course to develop our own home spun version.  The only problem with that is that the Red Cross isn't going to let you help man their shelters unless you've completed their course.

I think a better approach is a partnership with the local RC chapters.  They already have everything in place, courses, instructors, etc.  The courses are really good and at the end you're actually able to help in an RC shelter if needed.

[Short Field]

+1

[chiles]

What can we teach our people that the Red Cross can't? The application of CAP regulations during our response. What procedures should our people follow if there is an incident or accident involving CAP members at a shelter? What can they and can't they help with? If I'm a nurse acting in a CAP role to support the Red Cross and they ask me to take medical entrance information (basic questions they ask about the health of all people entering the shelter) can I? If not, why? How does a ARC request for mission support get command approval and at what level of command? If asked, can members trained in shelter management run the shelter and hold a position of authority over ARC members or do they have to be in only support roles? Should CAP be keeping records about the actions separate from ARC records? What should CAP members do if they disagree with actions taken by ARC management staff? Do they report the problem to the supervisor of the ARC member, to CAP leadership, or both? How are CAP's support to the ARC represented in the larger county or state response?

ARC will teach us how to do the things they need us to do as their support. We need to teach our people how they fit in as CAP members. These things shouldn't be taught in a vacuum. Our relationship with the ARC will need to include their understanding our capabilities at the National and local levels. So, they'll need to be involved in the CAP-specific training as well. Even if it is in the form of a briefing to their leadership.

[brasda91]

I'll grant that it may be difficult to get their training, for whatever reason, but I think that would be most appropriate.

Shouldn't be hard at all.  I've done it.  I met with the director, told her what I wanted to get out of our two organizations working together.  I have several members that are volunteers with the RC.  They have taken the Shelter classes.  The whole purpose of attending their classes is so that we augment their people with our people, but still know how they want the Shelter Ops to work.  They even participated in an exercise with the RC, and as CAP members at that.  You have to have the desire to expand your squadrons possible missions.

[lordmonar]

This should be a no brainer.

Get with the red cross and either steal their shelter management training or make it a requirement for the SQRT.

I whole heatedly think that this and other DR training should be part of what CAP does.

I don't care about "territories" or "spheres of influence".

We have a pool of manpower that can be used by agencies....let's get the training so we can actually bring something to the fight.

[wuzafuzz]

Bring it on!  If we (CAP) aren't doing something else, why not be able to help? 

I suspect organizations like Red Cross and Salvation Army would prefer CAP members to someone off the street, since we are already (usually) a team, and we have passed at least a limited background check.   A Salvation Army mobile kitchen manager told me as much when CAP was detailed to help Salvation Army unload trailers and distribute food after a tornado.

The question might arise, what are the common things we might do in most disaster relief scenarios?  Train us for the common needs, concerns, and dangers.  Things like how to lift heavy items, don't drink flood water, etc.  Kind of like a "mini-CERT" SQTR.  We don't need to be Disaster Terminators, but covering the basics will make us more valuable when we are asked to help Red Cross, Salvation Army, or similar organizations. 

My squadron has over 100 members.  Even if CAP is flying, we aren't all in the air at once, or even supporting flights.  We can usually produce spare volunteers if asked.