Emergency Shelter

Emergency Shelter

During certain local or regional emergencies, a need to temporarily shelter citizens may occur.  Public safety officials including the Littleton Fire Department, Police Department, Emergency Management Agency and Board of Health have prepared a local sheltering plan to help address these needs should they arise. The need for an activation of a shelter operation will be determined by Littleton emergency management officials. The plan is designed to be flexible and modular in order to accommodate a variety of potential circumstances.   Most shelter operations will be managed by the Littleton Volunteer Corps.  Assistance may be provided from other local regional, State and Federal resources.

It is important that citizens plan for a disaster event that may cause their displacement and need for sheltering.  Events can include severe weather and other natural or man-made disasters.     

The bottom line is that the more prepared you are in advance, the less disruptive a temporary displacement will be.  Public safety resources are limited and during a disaster will likely be stretched beyond their capabilities.  Citizens should exercise their responsibility to prepare in advance and have a plan.    Below is information on the Littleton Plan.  You can also refer to information generated by State and Federal officials. 

Emergency Shelter Plan for Littleton, MA, May 2010. 

Providing shelter is a crucial component to the overall emergency response system for any large-scale disaster in a community.  Littleton now has an operational shelter plan to meet such a need. We have drilled this plan and it is now ready to meet the needs of our residents when a sheltering situation arises.  The Littleton Middle School was chosen as the site of choice based on appropriate layout, capacity to house a large number of people and accessibility for those with disabilities. Since we have spent many months preparing this plan to service the town in a time of a disaster, we would like to ask every resident to take the time to read the ‘Shelter Resident Information Sheet’ which describes what can be expected from you when we open an emergency shelter.  Our goal is for every resident to at least be aware of these requirements and to be prepared should the need arise quickly. This sheet also describes some of the items you can or cannot bring with you when we open up a shelter for the Town of Littleton. We thank you for making this a priority in your busy schedules.

Shelter Rules

THIS IS A LIFEBOAT NOT A CRUISE SHIP: if you are in a shelter due to a disaster or emergency, our mission is to provide you with the basics to get you through the situation at hand and little else. Because disastrous situations change quickly, our focus is to conserve resources in the event that we may need to sustain services for a longer period of time.

What you need in a shelter:

  • Personal toiletries
  • Towels
  • Prescription medication and over the counter medication used daily
  • Change of clothes for 5 days
  • Any personal essential you may need for 5 days
  • Table games, cards, or reading material
  • Any particular food items needed for you or your children’s well being.

What not to bring into a shelter:

    • Firearms or weapons of any sort
    • Street drugs or prescription medications not in your name
    • Alcohol
    • Loud toys, musical instruments, ie drums, trumpets, kazoos, etc
    • Expensive items, jewelry, computer, audio equipment, video games.

No Valuables in the shelter - If residents choose to bring valuables into the shelter, then you do so at your own risk. We do not have the staff or space to secure valuables. 

No Smoking in the shelter or on any school property. There is no exception to this rule. Violators will be asked to leave the shelter. 

Keep track of your belongings: All shelter residents are expected to manage their belongings in an orderly fashion. It is not the responsibility of the shelter staff to do this. 

All food is to be consumed in the school cafeteria. 

Demobilization information and procedure: This shelter will eventually be shut down. Everyone needs to plan on securing a place to stay after leaving the shelter. When the Shelter Director determines that the shelter operation will be shut down, all remaining residents will gather their belongings and clean up the area around their cot. Bring your belongings and all family members to the registration area for check out. At check out a staff member will ask for your contact information so that if a relative comes looking for you or should you leave something in the shelter, we can get a hold of you. 

A staff member will assist you and your family if you are still in need of shelter. Deactivation can occur for many reasons so the need for shelter may still exist for some residents. 

Lost and Found: Unclaimed articles or property will be stored in an area behind registration. Valuables will be stored in a safe in the Principal’s Office. While the shelter is open, residents can access this with the assistance of shelter staff. All articles left in the shelter after deactivation will be transferred to the police station on Rt. 119. 

Shelter Schedule 

  • Meal schedule: Please see the Shelter Information Board
  • Meal Menus: Please see the Shelter Information Board
  • Bathing Schedule: Please see the Shelter Information Board

Lights Out:  All lights will be out in the sleeping areas from 9PM to 7AM. General congregating areas will be open until 11PM. Corridor and bathroom lights will be on all night for ease in accessing the restrooms and for safety. 

THE SHELTER WORKERS ARE VOLUNTEERS: who, through experience or desire, have chosen to serve the Town of Littleton in this time of need. They are to be treated with proper respect. Residents who violate this will be asked to leave the shelter after the second warning.