Nashville activated its highest level of winter weather response this week — even though it hasn’t been that cold. Officials rely on a policy first tested last year. In 60 seconds, WPLN’s Tony Gonzalez explains:
The Cold Response In Detail
This week, the big factor was the availability of shelter beds.
The freezing rain and snow — which made it a bad time to be stuck outside — prevented volunteers from getting to some of the churches that help house the homeless. The Room In The Inn coordinates the network.
“If congregations … don’t participate that night because of the cold or ice, that results in shelter beds basically vanishing for our community,” said Will Connelly, director of the Metro Homelessness Commission.
Through the day, officials estimate if there will be sufficient shelter space. There wasn’t this week. So Metro’s Office of Emergency Management chose to jump to its highest alert, known as Level 4, and open an emergency shelter at the Nashville Farmers’ Market. It housed 129 people on Wednesday night.
Thank you
@MayorMeganBarry for encouraging us all to work together. More than 120 homeless received a warm meal and shelter tonight.— Nashville farmers mk (@nashfarmmarket)
January 21, 2016
That was close to the capacity identified by Nashville Fire Department Capt. Williams Swann.
“We have 52 cots and blankets set up — 25 more cots ready, available,” he said at 6 p.m. that evening. “And if we need more, we can get more. I think we can comfortably hold a little over, maybe, 120.”
Typically, it’s temperature that matters most.
Level 2
In
the policy, once it dips to 25 degrees, extra beds and longer hours automatically begin at shelters. Police begin cold patrols and Open Table Nashville canvasses for vulnerable people at night.
This threshold has changed. Last year, it triggered at 27 degrees. But officials say the harsh winter opened shelters often and took a toll on volunteers.
The seemingly small adjustment could cut in half how often the city activates its plan. For example, Level 2 was hit 27 days last year. Had it been the colder trigger like it is now, it would have happened only 14 days.
“Our partners looked at their resources and also the human resource, the toll it takes on staff … it was determined that at 25, we are just better equipped to step up and have the additional beds,” said Judith Tackett, assistant director for the homelessness commission.
Level 3
The colder it gets, the more Metro does. At 19 degrees, the largest shelters add more beds in overflow areas, like spare rooms and hallways, and a group of on-call congregations are tapped.
Level 4
The highest level is not attached to a specific temperature. But bed capacity is crucial. About 1,200 beds are needed on cold nights. If staff anticipates that at least 90 percent will be filled, Metro begins to put other plans in motion.
Last year, Nashville had eight days at its highest Level 4 emergency.
More:
See the cold weather plan in chart form
Meanwhile, officials say they still struggle to shelter couples and pet owners — although the Humane Society started offering mobile boarding for animals this year, beginning at Level 2.
2015 Cold Responses
Level 2: 27 days
Level 3: 7 days
Level 4: 8 days
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