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Council adopts shelter activation protocol to coordinate winter and emergency sheltering
Summary
The council approved a shelter activation protocol that authorizes the City Manager or Emergency Management Coordinator to open partner shelters when local capacity or conditions warrant; the plan includes a pet shelter and transportation, and notes partner limitations and that the Red Cross does not classify homeless sheltering as disaster response.
The Bristol City Council voted Nov. 25 to adopt a shelter activation protocol intended to coordinate winter-weather and emergency sheltering for unhoused residents and evacuees.
City Manager Randy Eads told council the protocol sets activation criteria — including partner shelter capacity, temperature and other weather conditions — and authorizes the City Manager or the Emergency Management Coordinator to activate shelters. The protocol designates partner facilities (including Highlands Fellowship Church as a 24/7 partner) and provides for transportation and a pet shelter when needed.
Fire Battalion Chief Stacey Farley said historically shelter turnout has been low, probably under 10 people when the city opened shelters, while estimating the local unhoused population at about 150. Fire Chief Mike Armstrong explained that some churches have limited ability to host daytime sheltering and emphasized the operational complexity when multiple social-service partners must coordinate; he also noted that the Red Cross does not provide homeless shelter support as part of disaster response.
Councilmember Jake Holmes moved to approve the protocol; Councilmember Michael Pollard seconded. The motion passed 5-0. The protocol will be reviewed annually or sooner if circumstances require.
