Farrell explains borough deployment, Red Cross hoteling, and congregate shelters
Farrell says NYCEM borough-deploys coordinators based on likely hazards, and during the nor'easter its Queens coordinator worked in Brooks-Powers's neighborhoods. On Red Cross, she says the contract focuses on hotel placement, and when hotel demand outstrips supply, the city can set up congregate shelters in schools or other facilities.
So I will just say two things.
On your earlier point, you know, when we, BUR, deploy our CICs, we look at where the most likely hazards are.
So, for example, this weekend, our CIC that was working in Queens was in your neighborhoods.
Far Rock, you know, driving, working within that area.
So we do do that based on, you know, as we see things coming in.
With respect to the Red Cross, you know, that contract is one where we look at hoteling.
And I'm sure you both are familiar because it is.
It has happened during different times.
If there are not, because a lot of what they do is also based on the hotel room availability, you know, sometimes are busier than others.
The summer obviously was very busy.
Last week was busy with United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week.
And so if what's needed to house people, if the demand outstrips the supply, we then look at congregate sheltering, which means
setting up a shelter in a most likely a school building or another facility like that.
So that is what we do when we don't have the resources available.
But just like, you know, with the Red Cross, we are always looking at ways.
And, you know, by and large, you probably know their model is based on volunteers responding to many of their incidents 24-7.
And so they really do a fantastic job getting to all of these scenes.
But it's a very large city.
There are a lot of incidents that come.
And I know this is one they're specifically looking at to see how they can improve response.