2-1-1 Disaster Shelter Resources

Operating a 2-1-1 call center? Information and Referral? Elder care hotline or other similar solution? Then consider connecting to the National Shelter System to have information about disaster shelters at your finger tips, and for those you serve.

You can have an account on the National Shelter System, or have access to the XML open shelters data feed. You can use this data feed to drive information in your resource system, to display on maps and more.

For those of you who are using VisionLink's CommunityOS platform for 2-1-1 and I & R, or for similar solutions, we can make this even easier. The NSS and your CommunityOS platform use the same VisionLink software, and we built the NSS data standard and the data feed. Simply send us a copy of the executed authorization forms from the Red Cross, and we will turn on the feed for you.

To gain access to the NSS (for an account or for the Data Feed), write to nssresource@usa.redcross.org, and they will send you the proper paperwork.

Here's to only moderate damage from Hurricane Irene.

Dr. W. Douglas Zimmerman
President & CEO
VisionLink, Inc.