CONVERGE COVID-19 Hurricane Preparedness Working Group: Planning for Evacuation and Sheltering of Vulnerable and Medically Fragile Populations during a Compound Hurricane-Pandemic Threat
CONVERGE COVID-19 Hurricane Preparedness Working Group: Planning for Evacuation and Sheltering of Vulnerable and Medically Fragile Populations during a Compound Hurricane-Pandemic Threat

Participate: 2020

This Working Group is hosting a series of six, two-hour workshops, each focused on a particular aspect of evacuation and sheltering dynamics. The workshops will convene state, county and local leaders, experts, and providers from public health, government, health care, community civic groups, and others to identify knowledge gaps, needs and concerns related to the upcoming 2020 hurricane season under the current public health crisis. These workshops are designed to hear your perspectives and thoughts about managing the competing risks of protecting populations during the time of severe storm and a public health crisis.

These workshops, held via Zoom, will address targeted questions around six topics. Break-out sessions will allow participants to engage in small group conversations to identify gaps and areas of concern while examining key vulnerabilities that should be considered during the upcoming hurricane season. Sign up for the Zoom workshops here.

If you are unable to participate in the Zoom workshops, you can participate in an interactive, online forum via Zeetings.

Following each workshop, we will summarize key insights in a working document (and circulate this to participants and other stakeholders. Participants and stakeholders will have the opportunity to further contribute and refine this working document with additional feedback, information, and resources. A final After-Action Report (AAR) will be disseminated for each workshop topic.

All times are Eastern Standard.

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Topics & QuestionsParticipateResults
Overview of vulnerability and planning for evacuation and sheltering

  • Current state of preparedness planning: What changes are being considered or are underway?
  • What populations are most vulnerable?
  • Issues impacting perinatal/MCH, adult populations, and disability populations?


  • Workshop held on May 27, 2020 from 10am to 12pm.

    Zeetings online forum.


    After-action report

    Provide feedback.
    Health: infectious disease hazard control principles AND continuity of care

  • How will shelters work with public health for rapid testing, surveillance, and outbreak investigation?
  • What are best practices for infectious disease management in congregate care?
  • What are considerations for continuity of care for vulnerable/medically fragile populations?


  • Workshop held on May 29, 2020 from 12pm to 2pm.

    Zeetings online forum.


    After-action report

    Provide feedback.
    Logistics: Evacuation Transportation, Shelter Operations (congregate/non-congregate), and Supplies

  • How can evacuees be distributed across non-congregate and congregate shelter facilities to reduce risk?
  • How can hazard control principles be applied to shelter intake processes, physical design and operations to contain the spread of COVID-19 and maintain health?


  • Workshop held on June 3, 2020 from 10am to 12pm.

    Zeetings online forum.


    After-action report

    Provide feedback.
    Public Messaging: Risk Communication for Disaster Preparedness, Evacuation, and Sheltering

  • What does the public need to know about COVID-19 as it relates to evacuation and sheltering?
  • What type of questions do we anticipate the public asking? What data do we use to prepare informed responses?
  • Who are the messengers and what are the channels of communication for this messaging? How will risk communications be disseminated and tailored to the public and these populations of focus?


  • Workshop held on June 5, 2020 from 12pm to 2pm.

    Zeetings online forum.


    After-action report

    Provide feedback.
    Workforce: Evacuations, Shelter Staffing, Workforce Structure, Capacity, PPE, and Telemedicine

  • Who are the optimal personnel to staff shelters?
  • What is the current capacity to staff shelters in the case of an evacuation situation in 2020?
  • What ancillary supports (personnel, technology, supplies) are needed to support and protect these staff?


  • Workshop held on June 10, 2020 from 10am to 12pm.

    Zeetings online forum (link to be added).


    After-action report

    Provide feedback.
    Psychological Adjustment: Response Workers and the Public – Training, Messaging, and Trauma

  • What is the current state of psychological wellbeing on the shelter staffing workforce (health care providers, EOC staff, volunteers, shelter managers, county employees)?
  • What is the psychological impact on shelter staff during extended operations? What staff training and support are needed? What is the optimal and feasible shelter staffing model?


  • Workshop held on June 12, 2020 from 12pm to 2pm.

    Zeetings online forum (link to be added).


    After-action report

    Provide feedback.