Emergency Shelter Planning
"Building Safe and Sustainable Systems"
Emergency shelters are essential components of community resilience — providing safe refuge for residents during disasters, extreme weather, or prolonged service disruptions. 308 Consulting supports municipalities, emergency services, and community organizations in developing Emergency Shelter Plans that are operationally practical, compliant with provincial standards, and adaptable to evolving risks. Our approach integrates incident management, facility operations, logistics, and human resources into a single, cohesive framework. We help organizations prepare for the full spectrum of emergencies — from short-term evacuations to prolonged community displacement events — while ensuring accessibility, dignity, and safety for every person seeking shelter.
Operational Planning and Risk Assessment
We begin by assessing existing shelter networks, identifying primary and secondary locations, and evaluating site readiness. Each assessment considers capacity, accessibility, supply logistics, staffing requirements, and critical infrastructure dependencies such as power, water, and ventilation systems. 308 Consulting uses data-driven analysis to identify gaps between occupancy limits and facility capabilities, ensuring that each shelter is equipped to accommodate projected populations safely. Our team provides clear recommendations for facility retrofits, mutual aid agreements, and operational policies that enhance readiness and reduce liability.
Training and Incident Command System (ICS) Readiness
Effective shelter operations depend on trained staff who understand their roles within the Incident Command System (ICS). We deliver customized training sessions that teach staff how to activate and manage shelters using standardized ICS protocols — including command structure, resource coordination, and communication chains. Through tabletop exercises and scenario-based training, participants learn how to:
- Establish clear roles and responsibilities within the command system
- Coordinate with emergency management and social service partners
- Manage incoming information and prioritize critical decisions
- Track resources, document actions, and report through the chain of command
Our training ensures that shelter staff, volunteers, and municipal leaders can work seamlessly under a unified structure; improving efficiency, accountability, and coordination during real-world activations.
Leveraging the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)
An effective Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) serves as the central hub for situational awareness, decision-making, and coordination during shelter operations. 308 Consulting trains leadership teams to integrate shelter data into EOC processes, improving visibility into occupancy, capacity, and resource allocation across multiple sites. We teach shelter managers how to communicate real-time updates to the EOC using standardized reporting tools, enabling informed decisions about resource deployment, overflow management, and transportation. This structured connection between field operations and centralized command ensures that no shelter exceeds safe capacity limits and that accurate, current data support every operational decision. Our EOC integration framework enhances communication between emergency management, public health, social services, and logistics teams, creating a connected, informed response that protects residents and staff alike.
Shelter Activation and Operational Support
308 Consulting provides hands-on guidance for developing activation procedures, including criteria for opening, staffing, and deactivating shelters. We assist with:
- Site readiness assessments and activation checklists
- Registration, intake, and reunification processes
- Accessibility and accommodation protocols
- Coordination with health, social services, and security teams
- Documentation templates for daily logs and situation reports
Strategic Outcomes
Our Emergency Shelter Planning services deliver:
- Comprehensive shelter plans compliant with municipal and provincial standards
- Occupancy and capacity modeling for effective resource management
- Incident Command System (ICS) and EOC training for staff and leadership
- Activation and deactivation protocols for operational consistency
- Coordination frameworks linking shelters with emergency and social service partners
- Post-event evaluation and continuous improvement strategies
Planning for Safe, Coordinated Response
Emergency shelter operations are about more than logistics — they’re about leadership, compassion, and preparedness. 308 Consulting helps communities develop the tools, training, and structures needed to protect residents, support staff, and maintain confidence in times of crisis. Together, we build systems that can adapt, respond, and recover — ensuring safety and dignity for every person in need.
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