County Shelter Team Training Program

County of San Diego employees deliver essential products, services and resources to our community. During a disaster, functional responsibilities become even more critical, as residents rely on their local government to respond quickly and effectively to protect life and property. During an emergency, all County employees are declared Disaster Service Workers by Government Code Section 3100.

Providing for the care and shelter of residents during an emergency is a critical function that must be performed during an emergency. To ensure that County employees are prepared to perform the duties and responsibilities of the sheltering function during an emergency, the Office of Emergency Services developed a shelter training program. The objectives of the shelter training program are to:

  • Explain the duties and responsibilities of shelter workers and managers within the County Shelter Team Program.
  • Describe shelter opening, operating and closing functions.
  • Provide tools and resources to ensure successful shelter operations.

As part of the Shelter Team Training Program, two classroom trainings and an online training series were developed.

Shelter Manager Training (classroom) is designed for employees who possess leadership skills and will be tasked with overseeing and managing shelter operations during an emergency. Supervisory experience is required. To become a Shelter Manager, an employee must successfully complete the 7.5 hour classroom training. Additionally, an employee must also take the three online “Working with Individuals with Disabilities and Other Access & Functional Needs in a Shelter” trainings (approximately 2.5 hours) – see below for more information.

Shelter Worker Training (classroom) is designed for any employee who is open to assisting in a shelter environment during an emergency. Flexibility, problem solving skills and the ability to remain calm during an emergency are required. To become a Shelter Worker, an employee must successfully complete the 5 hour classroom training. Additionally, an employee must also take the three online “Working with Individuals with Disabilities and Other Access & Functional Needs in a Shelter” trainings (approximately 2.5 hours) – see below for more information.

“Working with Individuals with Disabilities and Other Access & Functional Needs in a Shelter” Training Series (online) 
To ensure that County-operated shelters are able to meet the needs of all members of our community, the Office of Emergency Services developed a training series designed to help shelter workers identify, understand and support individuals with disabilities and other access and functional needs while they are staying at a shelter.

Shelter Worker Training - Physical Disabilities (1 of 3)

 

Shelter Worker Training - Cognitive Disabilities (2 of 3)

 

Shelter Worker Training - Emotional Disabilities (3 of 3)

 

For more information on the County Shelter Team Training Program, please fill out the contact us form.