|Information from Town Manager Brenda Fox-Howard|
As you are aware, some of the estimated times for power restoration are as late as Wednesday, 12/9 late in the evening, and it is cold! CMP continues to work on restoration efforts.
There are several warming centers open in Cumberland County, which are logged here: https://ema.cumberlandcounty.org/warming-centers This spreadsheet will be shared with MEMA and 211 Maine. If you have any updates or additions, please let me know.
Some general tips for sheltering and warming centers during COVID-19:
- For local warming centers, limit capacity of the building based on social distancing considerations. Try to keep different households separated. Consider appointment based slots to use the facility, leaving time in between to clean. Require masks and use of hand sanitizer.
- On a case by case basis, the American Red Cross does accept requests for non-congregate sheltering (hotel rooms typically) assistance. This request needs to come from the local EM director to County EMA, and ARC national headquarters makes the decision. This would require logistics planning (which hotels are nearby/open, transportation, how to identify those in need, etc.) at the local level.
- A creative local solution might be to bring generators to vulnerable individuals in need, for certain periods of time. Again, some logistics planning required.
- HUD Preparedness Checklist for Shelter Facilities
- CDC Interim Guidance for General Population Shelters During COVID-19
