Colleagues,
The Coalition Steering Committee met with Jeff Rodgers, Delmar Algee and Gerrit Nyland from Pierce County Human Services and Wyatt ___ and Ellen ___ from Pierce County Dept of Emergency Management.
Here is what we know as of now:
Pierce County Human Services and DEM will have a plan to share tomorrow.
The Steering Committee will meet Thursday at 2pm.
www.pchomeless.org to review and finalize our own plan.
We are framing our response in three areas:
Communication - we will rely on local governments for accurate and timely information and will communicate it via this listserv, our Coalition website and our Coalition Facebook page. We will also use existing targeted listservs. This may mean. you
will receive the same information more than once. The local governments and DEMs may also communicate directly with us by using this listserv.
Coordination - we will work with Pierce County Human Services and DEM to notify them of our needs and resources including access to our own networks. Pierce County will take the lead.
Services - everyone needs to keep Delmar Algee and Jeff Rodgers informed of the operational status of all programs and services especially new faith-based, government, and volunteer programs and changes to existing programs and services. It is
important that we have accurate points of contact and contact information - including week-end and after-hours telephone numbers.
Our goal is that no one dies.
If you are a shelter or housing provider, please review your emergency plan
for extreme cold weather. If you do not have an emergency plan, think about your basic operations - and what to do if a staff person couldn't get to work, if the power went off, if the pipes froze. Be sure you have de-icer to keep your outside steps and
walkways safe, battery operated lights, phone chargers. Extra blankets and warm clothes for guests. Supplies through the end of December.
If you are an outreach worker, identify the number of tents/vehicles and
if you can, people, at encampments; encourage folks to go to available shelter beds - check with shelters before sending anyone anyplace; have campers pack a "go bag" - their ID, any documents, any medications, a change of dry clothes, - their pet and whatever
they have for their pet. We can replace tents, tarps, bedding, clothes, food, all manner of "stuff" - we cannot replace the people. If you have phone chargers, give those out.
Remember - please send information to both Delmar Algee and Jeff Rodgers.
delmar.algee@piercecountywa.gov
Jeff
Rodgers <jeff.rodgers@piercecountywa.gov
Take care everyone,
Maureen
Maureen Howard
Housing & Homelessness Advocate
3320 S. 8th St.
Tacoma, WA 98405
Tel. 253-756-8146 LL
253-255-2200 cell
"I'm no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I'm changing the things I cannot accept." Angela Davis
"Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, Necessary trouble." John Lewis