Description
Community partners have firsthand knowledge of the unique and multi-faceted needs facing the populations they serve. King County will leverage community feedback and partnerships with key stakeholders to build knowledge and capacity in emergency preparedness and severe weather response. This includes exploring how to:
- Define emergency response thresholds during climate emergencies that are aligned to the needs of people experiencing homelessness and homeless service providers;
- Establish best practices for frequently occurring climate events such as heat, smoke, fire, cold, severe winter weather, as well as less common events such as tornadoes, cyclones/high wind events, flooding, and climate-related civil unrest that incorporates feedback from people with lived experience of homelessness;
- Develop additional considerations and best practices for special populations, such as asylum seekers, people with language barriers, accessibility needs, older adults, behavioral health, disabilities, substance use disorder, etc.; and
- Lead regular homelessness specific training for service providers and volunteers based on established best practices.