The Director, in cooperation with the family and law enforcement,
will decide when the Recovery Center is to be shut down. It is inevitable
that recovery operations will end. Shutdown will be a difficult and
ongoing process - stay focused. Shutdown tasks will include disposition
of equipment, supplies, and records.
Shutdown tasks include:
- Terminate all field search operations.
- Close facility to the public.
- Finalize transfer of all pertinent non-Historian records to presiding
law enforcement agency.
- Transfer all Recovery Center information from computer hard drives
to floppies and remove all Recovery Center information from computer
hard drives.
- Conduct critical incident stress debriefing. See Counseling
- If applicable, transfer long-term flyer distribution to family
and law enforcement.
- Establish long-term management of any funds accumulated, i.e.,
reward, operating expenses. Create a board to oversee these operations.
- Evaluate financial situation. Bills will come in. Some will be
deferred for the cause, some will not.
- Consider future needs for family support.
- Arrange for transfer of appropriate effects of Recovery operation
to be turned over to family in the future, i.e., gifts, posters,
banners, ribbons, newspaper articles, etc.
- Return all loaned items to their owners promptly. Document date
returned and by whom.
- Distribute any unused goods to appropriate charities or other
organizations.
- Preparing Thank You letters and acknowledgements.
As a result of Recovery Center shutdown, volunteers will be in
a highly charged emotional state with unresolved issues that must
be dealt with. These emotions will manifest themselves in various
ways depending upon the outcome of the effort: joy, relief, satisfaction,
anger, depression, fear, and anxiety. Shutdown operations will include
dealing with volunteers' wishes and aspirations (Section
on Counseling). Many
will aspire to create a permanent entity from this effort. It is
recommended that current operations cease. If individuals wish to
start permanent organizations, they should do so at a later date
and on their own.