NEWPORT BEACH

The city is the latest addition to a shelter agreement with the American Red Cross of Orange County. Six Community Services Department employees have been trained in emergency techniques required by the Red Cross in order to operate a shelter during a disaster. The mutual agreement means the emergency shelters would operate under the Red Cross liability umbrella.

When a shelter isn’t opened under the Red Cross name, the city is responsible for food, equipment and relocation costs. “If we weren’t working with the Red Cross, the bill would be enormous for the city in a large-scale disaster,” said Donna Boston, the city’s emergency services coordinator. Newport Beach joins Westminster and Brea in the shelter agreement. Other cities plan to sign on later this year.