Mission / To directly manage the planning process and to act as the liaison with various government agencies and community / faith based organizations.
Position Reports To / Incident Commander
Immediate (Operational Period 0 – 2 Hours)
The role of Planning Section Chief can also be filled by the Operations Section Chief if there are not enough qualified leadership volunteers available to fill this role.
Make contact with appropriate government agencies and community / faith based organizations. These agencies and organizations should include at a minimum:
  • Local Animal Control Officer
  • Local Emergency Management Agency
  • American Red Cross

In coordination with the Logistics Section Chief and the Shelter Manager determine the expected pet population and the capacity of the shelter based on the availability of volunteers, equipment and expendable supplies.
Intermediate (Operational Period 2 – 12 Hours)
Notify government agencies and community / faith based organizations once the shelter has been opened.
Extended (Operational Period Beyond 12 Hours)
Participate in a daily shelter briefing. The purpose of this briefing is to determine objectives for the next operating period, discuss any challenges that have occurred since the last briefing and to prepare the content for the daily Situation Report.
Prepare a written daily Situation Report to contain at a minimum the following information.
  • Location of the shelter.
  • The number of pets housed in the shelter during the previous 24 hours.
  • The number of volunteersassisting at the shelter during the previous 24 hours.
  • Any other noteworthy events.

Share via fax, e-mail or phone call, the daily Situation Report to the following agencies and organizations:
  • Local Animal Control Officer
  • Local Emergency Management Agency
  • State of Massachusetts Animal Response Team
  • Local / State Emergency Support Function # 15 (Volunteers and Donations)
  • Local / State Emergency Support Function # 17 ( Animal Issues)

Shelter Closing
In coordination with the Incident Commander and Shelter Manager determine when the shelter is to be closed.
Notify government agencies and community / faith based organizations at least 24 hours prior to the shelter closing of the planed date and time that the shelter will close.
Participate in a shelter operations debriefing to share and review various lessons learned during the operation of the shelter.
Required Resources
Administrative Supplies (pens, notepad, file folders etc…)
Cell Phone – Required
Forms
  • Situation Report
Point of contact information for local, regional and state government agencies and community / faith based organizations that will need to be kept informed regarding shelter operations.

Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council