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Shelter-in-place

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For the quarantine order, seeStay-at-home order.

Shelter-in-place(SIP;also known as ashelter-in-place warning,SAMEcodeSPW) is the act of seeking safety within the building one already occupies, rather thanevacuating the areaor seeking a communityemergency shelter.TheAmerican Red Crosssays the warning is issued when "chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may be released accidentally or intentionally into the environment" and residents should "select a small, interior room, with no or few windows, taking refuge there."[1]

Radiological and chemical defense

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Shelter in place in radiological and chemical defense scenarios entails closing all household doors, windows, and vents and taking immediateshelterin a readily accessible location that puts as much indoor air andradiation shielding-mass between the individual and the hazardous outside air, such as a basement or centrally located medium to small room, and trying to make it asairtightas possible by shutting off all ventilation/HVACsystems and extensively sealing the shelter's doors and windows from all outside air contaminants with damp towels, or if available, plastic sheeting andadhesive tape.[2]Diagrams of what sheltering in place entails following achemical, biological, radiological or nuclear(CBRN) threat, and how long it is advised to be done for, is provided by the U.S.Federal Emergency Management Agency-affiliated website Ready.gov.[3][4]

Shelter-in-place effectiveness has been evaluated and experimental results show that proper sealing can make a substantial difference to a normal home shelter, finding it to be at least twice as effective against a host of airborne substances when compared against simply staying inside and not implementing the countermeasure, and in most airborne contaminant cases, it is usually much more effective, depending on theparticle sizeof the substance in question.[5][6][7]If the occupant'sbreathingis the only consumer of oxygen and producer ofcarbon dioxidein the room, then carbon dioxide levels would not begin to reach dangerous values until 3+ hours had passed, in most likely, 4-person home scenarios.[5][8]

In the military, "Shelter-in-Place" is comparable to "buttoning up" and has proved life-saving in certainnuclear falloutinstances.[9]

The danger of radiation from radioactive precipitation/ "fallout"decreases with time, asradioactivity decaysexponentially with time, such that for each factor of seven increase in time, the radiation is reduced by a factor of ten. Creating the following7-10 rule-of-thumbafter a typical nuclear detonation while under the conditions that all fallout that will fall on the land has done so completely and nofurtherdeposition in the area will occur - After 7 hours, the averagedose rateoutside is reduced by a factor of ten; after 49(7x7) hours, it is reduced by a further factor of ten (to a value of 1/100th of the initial dose rate); after two weeks the radiation from the fallout will have reduced by a factor of 1000 compared to the initial level; and after 14 weeks the average dose rate will have reduced to 1/10,000th of the initial level.

If an individual finds themselves outside during an emergency that calls for shelter-in-place, then effective but low-tech decontamination is required before entering into the shelter.[10]

Shootings and bombings

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The phrase "shelter-in-place" has also erroneously been used, instead of the more accurate[citation needed]lockdown,to describe precautions to be taken by the public when violence has occurred or might occur (particularly in shootings) in the area and the perpetrator is believed to still be in the area but not apprehended. The public in the area is advised to carry out all the same tasks as a typical shelter-in-place but without the key step of sealing the shelter up to prevent outside air from circulating indoors, in this scenario people are simply urged to lockdown — stay indoors and "close, lock and stay away from external doors and windows."[11][12]

In light ofactive shooterevents and the panic that can ensue, alockdownalert issued as "shelter in place", can also be implemented as a response to armed events, such as the2014 Fort Hood shootings.[13][14]Similarly a lockdown alert was likewise issued as a "Shelter-in-place" alert by theMassachusetts Emergency Management Agencyover the cell phoneWireless Emergency Alertsservice for local residents during the manhunt for theBoston Marathon bombingsuspects.[15]

Epidemics

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Main article:Stay-at-home order

During anepidemicorpandemicwith an infectious agent posing significant risk of death or severe illness such asebolaorSARS,authorities may recommend shelter-in-place for the general population or for segments of the population at high-risk. Unlike other shelter-in-place incidents, recommendations may only be for particular at-risk populations (e.g., the elderly, the immunocompromised) and the recommended duration may be for an extended period of time (days, weeks or months). Shelter-in-place may be implemented as a strategy for suppressing or mitigating an epidemic, for reducing numbers of critically ill patients presenting at the same time and for thus reducing the impact of critical illness on health care systems and reducing the likelihood that a surge in illness will overwhelm critical care resources. Shelter-in-place may apply specifically to individuals or groups judged to be at-risk for death or serious complications if infected, and contrasts with self-isolation (voluntarily seclusion at home to prevent infecting others) andquarantine(voluntary or involuntary seclusion of individuals exposed to infection for a period to determine infection status). Shelter-in-place over extended periods in epidemics may involve significant logistical considerations including measures to safely provide food, medication and other supplies over time as well as arrangements for social and psychological support.

When the term "shelter-in-place order"was used by the authorities in the United States in responding to the outbreaks ofCoronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) in 2020, people were not familiar with it as the term had been used in other emergency situations such as anactive shooterwhich would require seeking a safe place to hide within the same building that the person already occupies until the situation is resolved.[16]This caused confusion to the residents under the order on exactly what they were supposed to do.[17]Later, the State of California used the termstay-at-home orderinstead.[18]Other US states started using the new term when they announced their statewide order.[19]Governor Andrew Cuomoof New York criticized anyone using the term "shelter in place" for his stay-at-home order as it would invoke panic due to its association with active shooting situations ornuclear wars.[20]

Manhunts

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When a manhunt is being conducted such as for a dangerous suspect or a prison escapee, local, state, and even federal agencies can issue a shelter-in-place for certain municipalities and counties of states where said suspect is believed to be. This is done for the safety of the general public and to help with manhunt efforts of local and state law enforcement. An example of this is when thePennsylvania State Policeissued shelter-in-place warnings, mainly forMonroe County,[21]for the 48 day manhunt ofEric Frein,who shot 2 Pennsylvania State Trooperskilling one of them back in 2014.

Implementation

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Residents of an affected community might be informed that shelter in place is being implemented through the news media,Emergency Alert System,Reverse 911,warning sirens or horns,National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationweather reports andradios,and announcements from vehicles equipped with public address systems. In the United States, facilities likenuclear powerplants are required to be equipped with audio alert systems that can be heard within a 10-mile (16 km) radius.[2]

Once a shelter in place is called, residents are expected to immediately go indoors, bring all children and animals with them, and to close and lock windows and doors. All ways in which outside materials may enter the shelter area should be eliminated, including closure of fireplace dampers, shutting off ventilation or climate control systems, and prepare an area for pets to eliminate waste that does not require allowing them outside. If told to do so via television or radio, those sheltering should seal their rooms with duct tape and plastic.[2]Upon reaching shelter, those who were outside for a period of time seeking shelter after the shelter in place was called and who may have been exposed to chemical contaminants should remove all outer clothing, put it in a plastic bag, and wash with warm water.[10]After an announcement that the shelter in place is over, residents should go outside and open all doors and windows to ventilate the shelter. Similar processes should be followed in cars, workplaces, or schools.[2]

Cases

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  • In October 2009, authorities called a shelter in place inContra Costa County, California,after a teenager committed suicide by mixing chemicals together. Three nearby residents who were affected by the fumes were treated at a hospital, and the shelter in place order was lifted after three hours.[22]
  • On August 6, 2012, a shelter in place warning was issued inRichmond, California,due to a refinery fire at theChevron Richmond Refinery.[23][24]
  • On October 29, 2012, a shelter in place warning was issued inLouisville, Kentucky,after a train carrying hazardous chemicals was derailed near Dixie Highway and Katherine Station.[25]
  • On April 19, 2013, a shelter in place order was issued in theBoston metropolitan Areaas a result of the manhunt for theremaining suspectof theBoston marathon bombing.[26]
  • On March 16, 2020, a shelter in place warning was issued inSan Francisco, Californiaand the surroundingBay Area,to slow the spread of theCOVID-19 pandemic in California.[27]The order was the first in California and soon thereafter other states in theUnited States,as well as many areas in countries throughout the world, gave shelter in place orders. The San Francisco Bay Area's shelter in place order was seen as a proactive measure that had a significant effect with 'flattening the curve' of the outbreak in the area. California, and Washington State, who also gave early warnings, were viewed as important bellwethers for modeling the spread of the virus if strictsocial distancing,non-essential business shutdowns, and stay at home orders were in effect.[28]
  • On December 8, 2020, a shelter in place warning was issued inKanawha County, West Virginia,after an explosion at a chemical plant inBelle, West Virginia.[29]The warning included any residents within a 2-mile-radius of Belle and stayed in effect until 2:30 a.m. EST on December 9.

Example

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A public safety alert sent by Santa Clara County about the shelter in place order.
KABC

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SHELTER IN PLACE WARNING
BY ORDER OF LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT,CALTRANS AND CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL
RELAYED BY LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
12:00 PM PST SAT DEC 20 2016

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE ASKING ALL RESIDENTS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY TO STAY INDOORS.
AT 12:00 PACIFIC STANDARD TIME A CAR ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE 5 OUTSIDE LOS ANGELES COUNTY.
THIS MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT INCLUDED A SEMI TRUCK CARRYING 5 TONS OF SULFURIC ACID AND TOXIC GAS. FIRE FROM ACID HAD RELEASED TOXIC GAS THAT IS IN THE AIR. THE DIRECTION THAT THE WIND PUSHED THE GAS INTO DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES. SHELTER IN PLACE IS IN EFFECT WITHIN 5 MILES OF THIS AREA.

PLEASE DO NOT GO OUTDOORS AND REMAIN AWAY FROM WINDOWS OR ANY OPEN DOORS.

PLEASE STAY TUNED TO MEDIA OUTLETS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

See also

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Look upshelter-in-placein Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

References

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  1. ^"Fact Sheet on Shelter-in-place"(PDF).American Red Cross.February 1, 2003.Retrieved2019-05-04.
  2. ^abcd"Shelter-in-Place During a Chemical or Radiation Emergency".Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2006-02-23. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-05-02.Retrieved2009-11-03– via American Red Cross. redcross.org.
  3. ^"Shelter".Ready.gov.Retrieved3 April2014.
  4. ^"Shelter-In-Place Local Emergency Planning Committee South Florida LEPC District 11 South Florida LEPC District 11 George Danz, Chairman George Danz, Chairman Manny Cela, Coordinator Manny Cela, Coordinator"(PDF).
  5. ^ab"Journal of Hazardous Materials A119 (2005) 31–40 Effectiveness of expedient sheltering in place in a residence, James J. Jetter, Calvin Whitfield"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2013-11-11.
  6. ^"Page 1 Science & Global Security, 2000, Volume 8, pp.287–313 Sheltering Effects of Buildings from Biological Weapons Lester L."(PDF).
  7. ^Anno, George H.; Dore, Michael A. (1978)."Protected Action Evaluation: Part II - the Effectiveness of Sheltering as a Protective Action Against Nuclear Accidents Involving Gaseous Releases".U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA 520/1-78-0001B.
  8. ^Bennett, James S. (2009). "Building Simulation March 2009, Volume 2, Issue 1, pp 41-51 (Abstract) A systems approach to the design of safe-rooms for shelter-in-place (Journal subscription required)".Building Simulation.2:41–51.doi:10.1007/S12273-009-9301-2.S2CID109770220.
  9. ^Dr. John C. Clark as told to Robert Cahn (July 1957)."Trapped by Radioactive Fallout,Saturday Evening Post"(PDF).accessed Feb 20, 2013
  10. ^ab"Shelter-in-Place"(PDF).Washington Military Department.June 2004.Retrieved2017-04-26.
  11. ^Pete Willams; Richard Esposito; Michael Isikoff; Erin Mcclam (2013-04-19)."One Boston Marathon suspect killed; second suspect, his brother, on loose after firefight".NBC News.Retrieved2016-11-17.
  12. ^Peter Hermann; Ed O'Keefe; David A. Fahrenthold (2013-10-03)."Driver killed after car chase from White House to Capitol".The Washington Post.Retrieved2016-11-17.
  13. ^"Fort Hood".Twitter.RetrievedApril 2,2014.All personnel on post are asked to shelter in place.
  14. ^Weissert, Will; Weber, Paul J. (2 April 2014)."Fort Hood shooter was being assessed for PTSD: Attack leaves four dead and 16 wounded".National Post.Retrieved3 April2014.
  15. ^"Boston Bombing Shows How Wireless Emergency Alerts Can Work with Other Media"
  16. ^Waldrop, Theresa (20 March 2020)."Self-isolation, quarantine and California's stay-at-home order: What the terms mean and how they differ".CNN.Retrieved22 March2020.
  17. ^Singal, Jesse (19 March 2020)."Stop Using the Term 'Shelter in Place' for the Coronavirus Crisis".Intelligencer.Retrieved22 March2020.
  18. ^Tolan, Casey (20 March 2020)."Coronavirus: Newsom's stay-at-home order differs from the Bay Area's shelter-in-place rules. Now what happens?".The Mercury News.Retrieved22 March2020.
  19. ^"New York, Illinois Governors Issue Stay At Home Orders, Following California's Lead".NPR.20 March 2020.Retrieved22 March2020.
  20. ^Corey, Rebecca (21 March 2020)."Shelter in place, stay at home, quarantine: What do coronavirus restrictions mean?".Yahoo News.Retrieved22 March2020.
  21. ^"Shots fired, police reported closing in on alleged trooper shooter Eric Frein".The Morning Call.2014-09-20.Retrieved2023-03-31.
  22. ^Sakamoto, Kimberlee (2009-10-02)."Teen's Suspected Suicide Prompted Shelter-in-Place, Sent Three to the Hospital".KRON 4.Retrieved2009-11-03.
  23. ^Kristin J. Bender and Daniel M. Jimenez, "Massive fire at Chevron refinery in Richmond fully contained; shelter in place lifted",Contra Costa Times(August 6, 2012).ArchivedSeptember 29, 2013, at theWayback Machine
  24. ^Bender, Kristin J.; Jimenez, Daniel M. (August 6, 2012)."Massive fire at Chevron refinery in Richmond fully contained; shelter in place lifted".San Jose Mercury News.Retrieved8 August2012.
  25. ^"5-mile" Shelter-in-place "warning in effect at 10 a.m. For those living near train derailment site".WDRB.
  26. ^https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/crime/2014/04/20/boston-bombing-governor-shelter-in/23898971007/
  27. ^"As coronavirus spreads, 6 Bay Area counties will be ordered to shelter in place".Los Angeles Times.16 March 2020.
  28. ^"Social distancing for coronavirus is flattening the curve, California and Washington data show".The Washington Post.2020-04-01.Retrieved2021-11-22.
  29. ^"Shelter-in-place lifted for 2-mile radius after explosion rocks Kanawha chemical facility".9 December 2020.
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