BACA COUNTY
DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
SHELTER INFORMATION
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Emergency Management
Baca County, Colorado
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Emergency Public Shelter Information
What are Emergency Public Shelters?
Public shelters are a refuge for those seeking temporary safety from a disaster or emergency. People going to a public shelter are doing so because they have been ordered to evacuate, caught on the road away from their home, or left their home believing that remaining there was unsafe.
Shelters offer minimal necessities. They are often noisy and crowded. They could be hot, or they could be cold. Usually they are uncomfortable. Restroom facilities are not like those in your home. Food is not gourmet and may not be on a schedule you are accustomed.
There is often a shortage of volunteers to help manage shelters. You will not be waited on. You could be asked to volunteer as a shelter worker while staying there.
What shelters are not
They are not fun-filled community centers with organized activities, entertainment and personalized service. They are not a vacation away form home. Shelters are not intended to make available more than minimal needs; a roof overhead, relative safety, restrooms and some food and water.
When to go to a shelter
You should go to a shelter because the authorities have ordered an evacuation of the area in which you reside. You should go to a public shelter when traveling and determining that wind, flooding, winter blizzards, or other conditions are such that continued travel is unsafe. You know your own home best. You should go to a public shelter when you determine that conditions at or around your home are no longer safe. Don’t wait and try to leave to later.
Types of Public Shelters
- General Population Shelters – Commonly known as public shelters. These are pre-identified, have been inspected by the Division of Emergency Management to meet its standards, and have a minimum or trained shelter management staff. They have restrooms and the ability to prepare or distribute a limited number of prepared meals.
- Special Needs Shelters – These shelters are not for the general public. They are for people who are have specific medical, physical, or mental conditions that make it difficult for them to utilize a public shelter. The Baca County Division of Emergency Management in coordination with Southeast Colorado Hospital District Home Health Department, Baca County Nursing Service, Baca County Department of Social Services and the Walsh Healthcare Center maintains a registry of those who should be accommodated in a Special Needs Shelter. Those persons who arrive at the shelter and have not been registered, or are determined not to require special sheltering by the shelter manager will be redirected to a general population public shelter.
Shelter Staff
Shelter management and staff are provided by Baca County, Department of Social Services, and members of local churches that participate in the Baca County Division or Emergency Management Shelter Programs.
Food and Water
Public shelters open with what food and water is on hand. There is always the possibility that the water system may be interrupted. The original food could be used before additional supplies arrive. Those planning on using a public shelter should be prepared to take food and water with them. Plan on one gallon of water per day per person.
Shelter openings will be announced
Baca County Emergency Management will notify the public of which shelters will be used and when they will open. This will include the notification of news media and the use of the Division of Emergency Managements website (www.bacadem.com).
Among those organizations that will be notified are municipal governments, public utilities, health care organizations and every department of county government.
The Division of Emergency Management will permit pets in some shelters. Service dogs are always welcome in all shelters that are activated and open in Baca County. Pet sheltering is left up to the property owner and not the Division of Emergency Management. Arrangements for your pet should be part of each family’s disaster planning. (http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/pets.html)
Shelter Rules
- You MUST sign in upon arriving and sign out upon leaving
- No alcohol or non-prescription drugs
- No smoking is permitted inside the shelters
- No guns or weapons are permitted inside the shelters
- No disorderly or disruptive behavior is permitted
- Shelter users must be respectful of the building and grounds being loaned to them as a shelter. Somebody else owns the facility. You are their guest.
- Be courteous and respectful of others.
Shelter Supply List
- A 3-day supply of water. Plan on one gallon of water per day per person
- Baby formula, diapers and other needs
- A 3-day supply of non-perishable food per person
- Manual can opener, paper plates, paper towels, plastic cups and plastic ware (knives, forms and spoons)
- A 3-day supply of medications
- Personal grooming and hygiene items
- Specialty items and feminine supplies
- Extra pair of eye glasses
- Flashlight with batteries
- Bedding: Pillow w/case, sheets, blankets, sleeping bag, etc.
- Books, magazines, playing cards, board games
- Extra clothing
- Personal identification and important/documents
- Wheelchair or walker, if needed
- Oxygen if needed
If we can help further, contact us at:
Riley Frazee, Director
741 Main Street
Springfield, CO 81073
Phone Number: 719-523-6796
Fax Number: 719-523-6776
riley.frazee@seregion.com
Shelter Information Sheet PDF Version