Evacuation Center Management and Support Staff

What to bring to an evacuation center.

DAE personnel will serve as staff in the General Population, Medical Evacuation Centers and Pet-Friendly Evacuation Centers and in post-incident Evacuation Centers opened for residents displaced by the disaster. DAE personnel will be collaborating with the American Red Cross (ARC) South Florida, Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County and Miami-Dade County Animal Services. 

General Population Evacuation Centers: DAE personnel working at these sites will act as a liaison between the ARC Evacuation Center Manager and the county’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC). This individual will work to resolve concerns and disputes between participating agencies, evacuees and the EOC. This person must communicate effectively, demonstrate strong supervisory skills and be completely knowledgeable about the operations within the evacuation center or post-disaster Evacuation Center. This is a light labor job that takes place indoors predominantly in public schools.

One main task of the Evacuation Center liaisons is the distribution of blankets, cots and floor pads. Only a limited amount of bedding supplies will be delivered to each Evacuation Center. The Evacuation Center liaison will be responsible for distributing the supplies to the appropriate evacuees. The Evacuation Center liaison should meet with the American Red Cross Registration Supervisor frequently to obtain an Evacuation Center population count and be advised on any evacuees that should receive bedding supplies. First priority must be given to the elderly and frail population in the Evacuation Center. It is important that the criteria to receive supplies are posted and followed to avoid any arguments.

Duties of Evacuation Center Liaison include:

• Work collaboratively with ARC Center Manager and school principal to insure that operations run in a smooth and effective manner.
• Coordinate distribution of blankets, cots, floor pads to appropriate evacuees.
• Maintain inventory of supplies distributed to evacuees.
• Tour the center and its exterior on a regular basis.
• Apprise Center Manager of any problems that arise.
• Coordinate with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) Principal or designee in regards to building operations; ensures that the facility is being used properly.
• Report status of Evacuation Center operations to EOC Operations Section frequently.
• Notify Human Services Branch Director when EOC support is needed to handle unresolved issues. 
• Provide operational updates to incoming Evacuation Center liaison.
• Report any tourists arriving at the evacuation centers.
• Advise tourists of the Tourism Hotline (305-673-7400), the Answer Center (305-468-5900) or 311 to receive visitor and hotel information.
• Assist with providing Personal Assistance Services (feeding, walking, way-finding, transfer assistance, taking medication, etc.) and other miscellaneous tasks upon request.
• Post tourism hotline number in the Evacuation Center.

• Evacuation Center Online Course