About the Shelter

After the eye-opening events of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Coast region, Milwaukee County determined that it had the moral obligation of ensuring that emergency plans and preparations were in place for all Milwaukee County residents, including those with disabilities and other functional needs.
Milwaukee County Emergency Management and Department of Health and Human Services worked together to secure grant funding to plan and equip a Functional Needs Emergency Shelter response.  In 2009, extensive planning began with the establishment of community collaborations, identification of a feasible mass sheltering site, and the development of a written procedural plan. 

During emergencies in Milwaukee County, community organizations, such as Red Cross, are the experts in providing shelter, food, and resources to people who are displaced.  In a very large-scale disaster or emergency, these community shelters may become overwhelmed by the number of people needing shelter and the specific needs of the people. 
There are thousands of Milwaukee County residents with permanent or temporary disabilities who live independently in their own homes.  These people often utilize specialty equipment and supplies, medications, and periodic assistance from service or care providers on a daily basis.  In an emergency situation that requires evacuation from home, some people with functional or medical needs may be left without these supports that they rely on. 
The purpose of the MCFNES is to provide assistance within community shelters that may not have the equipment, supplies and staff immediately available to respond to the needs of people with functional needs and disabilities.  In doing so, local hospital beds can be utilized for acutely ill and injured individuals.    Medical eligibility for this care is based on a system that takes into account the acuity of the condition and the skills and equipment required to provide care.  The MCFNES cannot accept individuals requiring hospital, nursing home, or inpatient mental health care.

A grant awarded by the Urban Area Security Initiative has been used to purchase equipment and supplies needed to assist at a shelter.  People who come to the shelter need to bring their own equipment, supplies, and medications with them, however certain supplies and equipment will be available in limited supply at the shelter.
Working with the Wisconsin Humane Society and the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission, plans for on-site pet sheltering have been established.  Service animals are allowed to stay with their owners at the shelter.  Individuals who come to the shelter with a pet must bring pet supplies with them, such as food, leash, and a cage.
To the extent possible, the shelter will work with special dietary needs.  Because it may be difficult to accommodate all needs, anyone planning to stay at a shelter who has special dietary needs should bring a supply of their own food.
The MCFNES has worked to recruit and train a dedicated team of volunteers.  The staff and volunteers at the MCFNES will be the most unique feature of the shelter offering a level of hands on care and assistance that cannot be offered at general population community shelters.  Many of the MCFNES staff and volunteers have background experience and expertise in working with a variety of physical, mental, and cognitive needs.  All volunteers must complete MCFNES training and thorough background checks in order to become a registered volunteer.
If you are interested in becoming a registered MCFNES volunteer, please CLICK HERE for more information.

The MCFNES capabilities will only be used in very large-scale emergencies.  As community shelters open during an emergency, Milwaukee County will carefully assess the needs at these shelters.  If it is decided between the community shelters and Milwaukee County that the MCFNES is necessary, the MCFNES will be mobilized.

While planning the MCFNES, a primary focus has been to make the MCFNES supplies, equipment, and staff “portable”.  This means that much of the equipment and supplies for the shelter is stored in a trailer, ready to go to any location where it is needed.  As a result, the functional needs component could be set up within a community shelter if adequate space and other accommodations are available.