Baca County Emergency Shelters
For questions about Baca County Emergency Shelters you can contact the Emergency Manager for Baca County, Jennifer Leathers at 719-529-0471
Shelter Locations
* indicates a tornado shelter
Springfield
*First Baptist Church ~ 801 Church St
*United Methodist Church ~ 901 Colorado
*Church of God ~ 900 Tipton
Baptist Chapel ~ 441 Pinon St
Assembly of God ~ 400 Church St
*Friends Church ~ 157 W 4th Ave
Church of Christ ~ 1st & Colorado
Trinity Church ~ 7th and Park
Walsh
Walsh Baptist Church ~ 103 E. Maplewood
*Walsh First Baptist Church ~ 308 Colorado
Pritchett
Community Building ~ 300 Randolf
School ~ 533 Irving St
Campo
Community Building ~ 627 Walnut St
*Wesleyan Church ~ 234 Main St
School ~ 480 Maple St *Tornado Shelter also
Vilas
Community Building ~ 101 W Maple St
*School ~ 202 Collingwood
Two Buttes
Two Buttes Gym ~ 5th St and C St
*United Methodist Church ~ 5th St and E St
Shelter Information and Checklist
What are Emergency Public Shelters?
Public shelters are a refuge for those seeking temporary safety from a disaster or emergency. People going to a public shelter are doing so because they have been ordered to evacuate, caught on the road away from their home, or left their home believing that remaining there was unsafe.
Shelters offer minimal necessities. They are often noisy and crowded. They could be hot, or they could be cold. Usually they are uncomfortable. Restroom facilities are not like those in your home. Food is not gourmet and may not be on a schedule you are accustomed.
There is often a shortage of volunteers to help manage shelters. You will not be waited on. You could be asked to volunteer as a shelter worker while staying there.
What shelters are not
They are not fun-filled community centers with organized activities, entertainment and personalized service. They are not a vacation away from home. Shelters are not intended to make available more than minimal needs; a roof overhead, relative safety, restrooms and some food and water.
When to go to a shelter
You should go to a shelter because the authorities have ordered an evacuation of the area in which you reside. You should go to a public shelter when traveling and determining that wind, flooding, winter blizzards, or other conditions are such that continued travel is unsafe. You know your own home best. You should go to a public shelter when you determine that conditions at or around your home are no longer safe. Don’t wait and try to leave to later.
Types of Public Shelters
General Population Shelters – Commonly known as public shelters. These are pre-identified, have been inspected by the Division of Emergency Management to meet its standards, and have a minimum or trained shelter management staff. They have restrooms and the ability to prepare or distribute a limited number of prepared meals.
Special Needs Shelters – These shelters are not for the general public. They are for people who are have specific medical, physical, or mental conditions that make it difficult for them to utilize a public shelter. The Baca County Division of Emergency Management in coordination with Southeast Colorado Hospital District Home Health Department, Baca County Nursing Service, Baca County Department of Social Services and the Walsh Healthcare Center maintains a registry of those who should be accommodated in a Special Needs Shelter. Those persons who arrive at the shelter and have not been registered, or are determined not to require special sheltering by the shelter manager will be redirected to a general population public shelter.
Shelter Staff
Shelter management and staff are provided by Baca County Emergency Management and members of local churches that participate in the Emergency Management Shelter Programs.
Food and Water
Public shelters open with what food and water is on hand. There is always the possibility that the water system may be interrupted. The original food could be used before additional supplies arrive. Those planning on using a public shelter should be prepared to take food and water with them. Plan on one gallon of water per day per person.
Shelter openings will be announced
Baca County Emergency Management will notify the public of which shelters will be used and when they will open. This will include the notification of news media and the use of the Emergency Management Facebook page.
Among those organizations that will be notified are Town Government, public utilities, health care organizations and every department of county government.
The Division of Emergency Management will permit pets in some shelters. Service dogs are always welcome in all shelters that are activated and open. Pet sheltering is left up to the property owner and not the Division of Emergency Management. Arrangements for your pet should be part of each family’s disaster planning. (http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/pets.html)
Shelter Rules
You MUST sign in upon arriving and sign out upon leaving
No alcohol or non-prescription drugs
No smoking is permitted inside the shelters
No guns or weapons are permitted inside the shelters
No disorderly or disruptive behavior is permitted
Shelter users must be respectful of the building and grounds being loaned to them as a shelter. Somebody else owns the facility. You are their guest.
Be courteous and respectful of others.
Shelter Supply List
A 3-day supply of water. Plan on one gallon of water per day per person
Baby formula, diapers and other needs
A 3-day supply of non-perishable food per person
Manual can opener, paper plates, paper towels, plastic cups and plastic ware (knives, forms and spoons)
A 3-day supply of medications
Personal grooming and hygiene items
Specialty items and feminine supplies
Extra pair of eye glasses
Flashlight with batteries
Bedding: Pillow w/case, sheets, blankets, sleeping bag, etc.
Books, magazines, playing cards, board games
Extra clothing
Personal identification and important/documents
Wheelchair or walker, if needed
Oxygen if needed
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