Emergency Preparedness: A Manual for Homeless Service Providers

Kelly Tobin and Phyllis Freeman
University of Massachusetts Boston

May 1, 2004

Public attention to “emergency planning” has increased dramatically since 9/11/2001. Out of concern that the population of homeless individuals and families may not have been considered adequately in planning thus far, the Center for Social Policy reviewed what has occurred, sought advice about what would be useful to add to existing material and resources, and proceeded to prepare this Manual. It seemed all too likely that under the already considerable pressure for cities and towns to prepare for threats caused by terrorism, including bioterrorism, that the special characteristics of homeless families and individuals, and of community organizations serving homeless people, might not be at the center of municipal disaster planning.

Thus this project took form. The manual is intended to support community-level homeless service providers in considering how to plan to protect their clients, staff, facility and resources. Most of it is devoted to what to plan for and how to plan in advance. We also provide some guidance about first steps should a disaster occur, including a variety of checklists.

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