FEMA, NFL partner to designate 4 stadiums as disaster shelters

(Gray News) - The NFL and FEMA have teamed up to designate four stadiums as shelters that can be used during response and recovery missions after emergencies and disasters.

Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Lumen Field in Seattle, Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa are the first four stadiums to receive FEMA’s Mission Ready Venue designation.

“This new strategy we’re launching with the NFL is a groundbreaking opportunity to help our partners use these venues for emergency response and recovery needs while keeping communities safe and making them more resilient,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said.

Criswell said FEMA is starting with the NFL but encourages other venues, sports organizations and leagues to join the effort.

Mission Ready Venues will be used in several ways including emergency shelters, staging areas, commodity distribution sites, evacuation pick-up points, disaster recovery centers, mass vaccination and testing and temporary hospitals in times of need.

“Stadiums are valuable community assets that are often used in times of disasters,” said NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier. “This designation reflects the role that many stadiums play, not only on Sundays but especially in times of need.”

Lanier said the NFL is proud to work together with FEMA and first responders to help when disaster strikes.

SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles is currently under review to receive FEMA’s Mission Ready Venue designation.

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