National Shelter System

The American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) together developed the National Shelter System (NSS). Under the National Response Plan auspices, the American Red Cross, is the Primary Agency responsible for the Mass Care portion of Emergency Function #6 Mass Care, Housing and Human Services.

The goal of the NSS is to be able to identify the location, managing agency, capacity, current population, needs assessment and other relevant information for all shelters being run during the response to incidents. This information will help the Red Cross, FEMA and state and local emergency management develop strategies ti ensure prompt and effective mass care service delivery as well as serve as a planning tool before disaster strikes.