Union County outlines shelter plan and staffing after winter storm threat
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Summary
Union County emergency preparedness staff described how the county staffed and operated a local shelter for Winter Storm Fern, citing pre-deployed equipment, a 100-member trained roster goal and a primary shelter at Monroe Middle School with generator capacity.
Union County’s emergency preparedness coordinator told the board that the county activated its sheltering plan for Winter Storm Fern and relied primarily on county staff after regional Red Cross capacity was limited.
Jason Urian, emergency preparedness coordinator for Human Services, said the county expanded a local sheltering team after the Red Cross reported volunteer shortages in 2023. “We opened up the task force in early 2024 for recruitment,” he said, and at the time of the storm 73 of 100 planned positions were filled.
The county’s approach: Urian described a staffing model intended to support up to two shelters operating 24 hours a day for two days. Union County pre-deployed trailers and equipment to the emergency operations center and selected Monroe Middle School as the primary shelter because it has a generator.
Operational timeline: The emergency operations center opened at 7 a.m.; shelter staff were notified via Everbridge and arrived by 4 p.m.; the shelter was ready to accept clients by about 5:15 p.m. Initial overnight staffing included 10 county staff and limited Red Cross assistance; actual client numbers remained low (two to three clients most operational periods) and the shelter closed when demand subsided.
Special-needs planning: Staff discussed procedures for residents who rely on medical devices, saying those clients should bring their own oxygen concentrators if they seek shelter because the county cannot supply them. The county also maintains a functional and access needs registry (114 residents enrolled) and coordinates with UCPS and the Red Cross for shelter openings and closures.
Why it matters: The county’s model is designed to operate independently for the first 72 hours when external assistance may be delayed; Urian emphasized the need to staff shelters for that initial period if regional resources are limited.
What’s next: Emergency management will keep recruiting and training volunteer and county staff to reach its 100-person target and will refine procedures for transitions back to schools and for residents with medical needs.
Sources: Remarks by Jason Urian, emergency preparedness coordinator, and Q&A at the Feb. 9 Union County meeting.