Anywhere between 80% and 90% of people will experience panic during an emergency. It can be challenging to enact an emergency communication plan and escape from disaster when not thinking clearly. A disaster response plan is critical to ensure safety.
No emergency preparedness plan is complete without access to tow-away air shelters. Read on to learn why.
The Basics of Emergency Air Shelters
Emergency air shelters are inflatable shelters. They can provide a home or workspace for people who cannot return to a permanent building because of an unforeseen emergency. They’re climate-controlled for comfort and safety so that people can remain in them until the emergency concludes.
Air shelters come in a wide range of sizes. 10′ x 10′ shelters work well for smaller police teams while 30′ x 60′ are ideal for large groups of displaced individuals.
Comprehensive Communication Services (CCS) offers tow-away air shelters to eliminate redundancy. If the vehicle that the air shelter connects to experiences mechanical failure, it connects seamlessly to another vehicle. This ensures safety and mobility in any situation.
In addition to HVAC equipment and temperature control, our air shelters also have rain guards to keep those inside dry. Rubber flooring also means little wear and tear, and both interior and exterior LED lighting means that no one will lose light.
The shelters are made to have everything that people need to survive in an emergency. Portable beds, medical equipment, food preparation/storage equipment, portable bathrooms, and mobile showers are all included.
Work tables and chairs are also available, and you also will have multimedia equipment like TV sets. This lets you easily turn the space into a mobile command center for communication between team members, police officers, military professionals, and healthcare first responders.
Applications of Disaster Response Shelters
Climate-controlled shelter spaces are often used by medical professionals. Those who have been exposed to contagious illnesses can remain in air shelters until they are tested and no longer need to be quarantined. They also serve as decontamination units for equipment that should not be exposed to the public.
First responders from law enforcement agencies can also use air shelters as mobile command centers. You can set up emergency communication lines in these comfortable shelters and communicate with professionals in the field. This can help police teams handle sensitive criminal investigations, hostage crises, robberies, car chases, and kidnapping negotiations.
Government agencies also can benefit from air shelters. They can serve as a base of operations for government figures and military teams. A shelter can serve as a semi-permanent space for army members and political negotiators because of its easily portable mobility.
Disaster relief organizations can also offer portable air shelters to displaced individuals. Those struck by natural disasters may make use of these shelters as living spaces. People on military bases also may camp in them in a disaster situation.
How Do They Ensure Safety?
For one thing, air shelters protect against extremely hot or cold weather conditions. However, they also preserve the air quality inside their walls.
If people need to enter an emergency shelter, it’s usually because outdoor conditions are less than ideal. This may be due to criminal activity or the result of being in a war zone. However, a lot of people inside air shelters require clean air because of natural disasters, bombings, smoke, chemical contaminants, or biological toxins.
Quality air shelters have thick walls and reinforced doors. They don’t swing open even in extreme winds. They also have airtight seals to stop flying debris, dust, and ashes from entering their confines.
This preserves the structural integrity of the air shelter so it doesn’t blow away. It also ensures that there’s clean, fresh air inside the shelter.
This is especially true since air shelters come equipped with quality HVAC systems. They filter out contaminants, provide positive pressure so contaminated air doesn’t come into the shelter, remove CO2, and give those inside the shelter extra oxygen.
On another note, air shelters also serve to hide and protect those inside of them. If you’re a police station sending officers to be on stakeouts, an air shelter gives them a place to hunker down in any area. They serve as temporary military shelters or shelters for those displaced in natural disasters.
People inside can stay safe against outside threats.
Integrating Air Shelters Into Your Emergency Communication Plan
Air shelters are part of any quality communication plan. They serve as emergency communications centers because of their security. People inside will be safe and more able to provide remote teams with updates on crisis situations.
It’s important to have a good emergency response plan for situations that require an air shelter. You’ll need to invest in technology like walkie-talkies that won’t go down if phone lines are removed. Storing these in or near the air shelter is a good idea so you can use them if you’re forced to take shelter.
It’s critical that you install a satellite system in your emergency communications center. This will let you get network access in even extremely remote areas. You’ll have an easier time communicating with headquarters, superiors, and partners if other communication lines go out.
Emergency air shelters come with TVs so that you can stay prepared. Make sure that you also have accessible satellite phones, radio equipment, and tablets.
You also will need to tell employees where they are staying in the event of an emergency. Keep track of the people you intend to help and ensure that no one is left behind. Inform everyone about how they can manage operations from the inflatable shelter.
Upgrade Your Emergency Preparedness
While most people do not want to consider being caught up in an emergency situation, it will inevitably happen sometimes. A disaster response plan can ensure safety with comprehensive plans and preparedness drills.
Now that you know why emergency air shelters are a prerequisite to safety, it’s time to learn more. Our team is committed to ensuring that you get a quality climate controlled shelter that preserves air quality. Contact CCS today to learn more about specialized emergency shelters and communication services.