Emergency Management Assessments

Over the course of a year, Fuss & O’Neill supported the City of Quincy’s Office of Emergency Management by providing studies and assessments of the City’s existing and proposed emergency shelters. Studies and assessments were performed to address capacity and capability to support the community during and after major storm events. Studies determined improvements needed to meet Red Cross Shelter Criteria and capacity calculations were performed for both permanent and temporary housing.

Fuss & O’Neill assessed the gymnasium at the Salvation Army to determine its capacity for use as an emergency shelter. Additionally, our team evaluated the kitchen and the existing electrical services to determine if the kitchen could be provided with backup power during an emergency where they would provide food services and if the existing 150kW portable generator could support the building during an emergency sheltering operation. Fuss & O’Neill designed a floor plan, provided a conceptual design for standby power, and outlined opinions of cost.

Our team performed a feasibility study at the Thomas Aquinas Hall to determine its suitability to function as a new emergency shelter for the Hough’s Neck area, which is frequently cut off from the City during major storm events. We identified sheltering area compliance and building modifications required for individuals with Functional Needs Support Services as defined by FEMA and in accordance with ADA requirements.

Fuss & O’Neill assessed existing conditions at three elementary schools (Atherton Hough Elementary School, Snug Harbor Community School, and Squantum Elementary School) for the purpose of emergency sheltering. Gymnasiums/assembly areas, restroom and shower facilities, and building electrical and mechanical systems were evaluated. The electrical systems were assessed for their existing power distribution and the power loads associated with the areas to be utilized during emergency sheltering, as well as the capacity of any existing generators. Fuss & O’Neill provided recommendations and options on interconnecting the City’s150 kW portable generator to the existing electrical infrastructure to support the identified essential power loads for sheltering.

We assessed an additional four public schools (Quincy High School, North Quincy High School, Central Middle School, and The Kennedy Center) to determine if these sites could be utilized as emergency shelters. Site visits were conducted, capacity was determined, and floor plans were designed.

After considering accessibility, capacity, safety, and available amenities that could operate for 72 hours following a natural or human-made disaster, the City of Quincy designated four sites to be used as emergency shelters. The evaluations performed by Fuss & O’Neill staff facilitated effective assessment to help the City help its citizens.