Planning
| NIMS | State Emergency Response and Recovery Plan |
| National Shelter System | Special Needs Planning |

national shelter system

Introduction
The American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have worked together to develop the National Shelter System (NSS). Under auspices of the National Response Plan, the American Red Cross is responsible for supporting Emergency Function #6 - Mass Care, Housing and Human Services, with an emphasis on Mass Care.

Goal
The goal of the NSS is to be able to identify the location, managing agency, capacity, current population, and other relevant information for all shelters being run in response to incidents. This information will help the Red Cross, FEMA, state and local emergency management, and Non-Governmental Organizations develop strategies to ensure prompt and effective mass care service delivery as well as serve as a planning tool before disaster strikes.

Features
The NSS is a web-based data system that contains individual shelter listings with information on capacity, shelter population, available facilities, site locations, and more.  This site requires a login with User Name and Password, and users are required to receive training in one of the four access levels:

• Level 1: View only - data and reports
• Level 2: View and export data
• Level 3: View,  export, add & edit shelters
• Level 4: Administrator – full access

program highlights

• Supports day-to-day shelter management in response to ANY size disaster or emergency
• Allows users to manage and receive shelter data in a consistent and reliable manner
• Aids in decision making, requests for a declaration, and recovery processes
• Supports matching available shelter resources with needs of the affected area
• Assists in coordinating evacuation and relocation efforts
• Can access, organize, and report data as disaster situations evolve
• Reports can be exported in formats that allow for integration into E-TEAM

Eligibility for NSS Access

• Access requests MUST be approved by EMA in your jurisdiction, and are reviewed for concurrence by FEMA before NSS accounts are activated
• Complete required NSS training, and submit request using NSS User Access Request Form
• Must have a demonstrated business need for access
• Free to State/Tribal/Local users with no ongoing maintenance or licensing fees
• Must be employee or volunteer of an agency with a primary or support role in management or coordination of shelter activities in your jurisdiction, and have concurrence of State/Tribal/Local Emergency Management Agency (as appropriate for your jurisdiction)

Required NSS Training

• Level 1 and Level 2: NSS briefing conducted by ADEM
• Level 3: NSS facilitated training, conducted on-site through ADEM
• Level 4: All training above and “Administrator” briefing from ADEM  

National Shelter System Website                                 

https://nss.communityos.org

CONTACT
For additional information on the National Shelter System, please contact us for assistance.