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Mass Care and Shelter
The Disaster Services Section of the California Department of Social Services supports local emergency agencies in order to provide temporary shelter for those who cannot safely remain in their homes due to a disaster or emergency. Shelters are generally opened and operated by the American Red Cross, assisted by local or county employees. Meals are provided at the shelters and also are provided for disaster victims who have been able to remain in their homes or are living in their recreation vehicles, but are unable to prepare meals. The mass care and shelter disaster response function is delegated to the Disaster Services Section of the California Department of Social Services through the Administrative Order of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES).
The Disaster Services Section also assists in networking with/between counties through the Statewide Mass Care and Shelter Committee. Additionally, the section tracks resources needed for care and sheltering with other State agencies and coordinates with the American Red Cross to assist in training for shelter operations. Section staff may deploy to one or all of the three Regional Emergency Operations Centers throughout the State at the request of the OES. Staff is augmented with trained members of the Volunteer Emergency Services Team.
The Volunteer Emergency Services Team is comprised of approximately 145 employees from State departments who have volunteered for membership. Recruited, trained and deployed by the California Department of Social Services, Volunteer Emergency Services Team members may be used to assist at one of the Office of Emergency Services Regional Emergency Operations Centers to help coordinate mass care and shelter functions.
Once activated by the Office of Emergency Services, Disaster Services Section staff assist in the mass care and shelter function by: 1) Tracking shelter status; 2) Tracking feeding services; 3) Responding to requests for State resources; and 4) Ensuring that the needs of emergency responders are being handled by the appropriate State agency.