Union County opens emergency shelter after winter storm; county built volunteer sheltering capacity

Jason Gurian, emergency preparedness coordinator for human services (speaker 7), told the board the county built a local sheltering team after Red Cross volunteer shortages and expanded capacity ahead of winter storm "Fern." Gurian said the county recruited toward a 100-person trained team and had 73 positions filled at the time of the briefing.

Gurian described the operational plan: Monroe Middle School is the county's primary shelter because it has a generator; the county's model supports up to two shelters operating 24 hours a day for two days without outside Red Cross assistance. He said the Red Cross typically takes the lead when staff arrive, but regional demands can delay that support.

The shelter was opened on short notice during the storm cycle: the emergency operations center opened early, staff were mobilized, the shelter accepted its first clients the night of opening and by Jan. 27 the shelter had three clients before closing. Gurian said the county staffed conservatively (e.g., 10 staff the first night) because attendance is unpredictable and Red Cross staffing was limited.

On medical needs, Gurian said the county maintains a functional and access needs registry (about 114 people signed up) and asked residents with oxygen concentrators to bring their own devices if they come to the shelter; the shelter would provide power but not specialized medical equipment. He described coordination with UCPS, emergency management and the Red Cross to time school reopenings and client transitions.

Gurian said the shelter experience reinforced the county’s goal of being able to operate independently when regional resources are constrained and emphasized pre-evacuation encouragement for residents with medical needs.

Ending: county emergency-preparedness staff will continue volunteer recruitment, training and coordination with Red Cross partners; no formal board vote was recorded on shelter staffing or policy during the segments provided.