Code Blue/Hazardous Weather Overflow
What is the Hazard Weather Shelter Plan?
Thurston County coordinates the Hazard Weather Shelter Plan (aka the Winter Weather Response Plan for Winter: 2018 – 2019), intended to provide shelter and other accommodations for unhoused citizens during episodes of extreme weather. Such weather is defined in the Plan to include: deep freezes, wind storms, floods, earthquakes and other life-threatening hazardous conditions. This means providing shelter for people not in the regular year-round shelter system or the Cold Weather System that runs every night from November 1st – March 30th. This Hazard Shelter Plan is intended to accommodate people who might not survive in outdoor camps, doorways or cars.
CODE BLUE COMPLETED! Thanks everyone!
Thurston County Public Health has declared a code blue emergency starting 7pm Monday Jan. 13th, and ending at 7am Friday Jan. 17th, for temperatures dropping below 30 degrees and prediction of snow in the forecast. This additional shelter space will be for up to 75 people and will available until the temperatures rise or if there is insufficient staffing. It will be hosted at the Salvation Army Shelter, 808 5th Ave. SE Olympia, WA 98501.
Who/What/When
WHO: Anyone in need of shelter up to 75 people. There will be at least two paid staff, supplemented by volunteers. Hosted by the Salvation Army and supported by Thurston County Homeless and Affordable Housing Coordinator, Keylee Marineau.
WHAT: Nightly shelter on mats indoors. Cars and RV parking not available, tent camping not available, pets ok, couples can sleep next to each other, no carts or bikes inside the building, no open flames, no drugs or alcohol on site, no prepared meals outside of the regularly scheduled community kitchen, but there will be snacks. No violence, respect yourself and everyone else and we will do the same!
WHEN: Monday Jan. 13th, 7pm - Friday Jan. 17th, 7am
WHAT: Nightly shelter on mats indoors. Cars and RV parking not available, tent camping not available, pets ok, couples can sleep next to each other, no carts or bikes inside the building, no open flames, no drugs or alcohol on site, no prepared meals outside of the regularly scheduled community kitchen, but there will be snacks. No violence, respect yourself and everyone else and we will do the same!
WHEN: Monday Jan. 13th, 7pm - Friday Jan. 17th, 7am
Donations NEEDED!
Food: Cup o' soups, granola bars, tea, coffee, decaf coffee, creamer, sugar, pastries, fruit, cereal, milk, etc.
Supplies: Blankets, hand warmers, toilet paper, paper towels, gloves, hats, scarfs, socks (no other clothing please!), basic cleaning supplies, bleach wipes, vinyl un-powdered gloves size medium or large.
DROP OFF: Please drop off donations through Thursday 1/16 after 7pm directly to the Salvation Army shelter building: 808 5th Ave. SE Olympia, WA 98501.
Supplies: Blankets, hand warmers, toilet paper, paper towels, gloves, hats, scarfs, socks (no other clothing please!), basic cleaning supplies, bleach wipes, vinyl un-powdered gloves size medium or large.
DROP OFF: Please drop off donations through Thursday 1/16 after 7pm directly to the Salvation Army shelter building: 808 5th Ave. SE Olympia, WA 98501.
Volunteers NEEDED!
Orientations will happen each night once CODE BLUE starts at 6:30pm, on-site, Salvation Army shelter is located at 808 5th Ave. SE Olympia, WA 98501, every night that the code blue lasts.
What Volunteers Do
Volunteering at one of the Hazard Weather Shelter sites involves helping with Set-up or Clean-up shifts each day. The Set-up shift is 7:30pm to 11pm, and the Clean-up shift is 6:30am to 7:30am or until the cleaning is done. Paid staff are scheduled for the overnight shift 6:30pm-6:30am. However, if you are willing and able to volunteer overnight -- please let us know because we will likely need that support as well. Volunteers provide a warm and welcoming place for people to come in from the hazardous weather and help assist the trained staff however they need it. Basic safety rules will keep everyone safe.
How Do I Sign Up for CODE BLUE now that I've gone through the orientation?
Please check out the calendar at the bottom of this page to see what shifts are open. All shifts that are available will say "NEEDED" next to them. Pick which shifts work for you and then Contact us on the form below telling us what shift you want.
Contact us if you can volunteer for CODE BLUE!
Interested in volunteering or working for the Code Blue overflow shelter? Need to change your current shift or sign up for an open shift? Please share your contact information, what group you are with, and a message about how you would like to get involved. Keylee Marineau, Thurston County Homeless Coordinator will respond shortly with next steps. You can also give her a call at 360-490-5910. Thank you!
Next General Interfaith Works Volunteer Training
February 8th, 2020 — 12pm-4pm
At the IW Emergency Overnight Shelter**
**You will ALSO need to attend the additional training/orientation needed for groups and individuals supporting the Hazardous Weather Code Blue shelter effort that takes place at 6:30pm at the Salvation Army whenever a Code Blue is called.
Please click the blue button below to sign up for our next monthly training!
At the IW Emergency Overnight Shelter**
**You will ALSO need to attend the additional training/orientation needed for groups and individuals supporting the Hazardous Weather Code Blue shelter effort that takes place at 6:30pm at the Salvation Army whenever a Code Blue is called.
Please click the blue button below to sign up for our next monthly training!
Need More Info?
For More Information, Please contact:
Thurston County Homeless and Affordable Housing Coordinator: Keylee Marineau @ keylee.marineau@co.thurston.wa.us
THANKS FOR STEPPING UP TO HELP SHELTER OUR HOUSELESS NEIGHBORS!
Thurston County Homeless and Affordable Housing Coordinator: Keylee Marineau @ keylee.marineau@co.thurston.wa.us
THANKS FOR STEPPING UP TO HELP SHELTER OUR HOUSELESS NEIGHBORS!
