What Do You Bring for an Emergency Response?
Every disaster is different, so the kit changes, but the core stays the same: standard portable toilets, at least one ADA accessible unit per ADA Standards section 213.2 when units are clustered, and a handwashing station with soap and towels, since 29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2) specifically excludes hand sanitizer as a substitute. A standard unit holds a 60 to 70 gallon tank and sits about 44 by 48 inches on the ground, so it fits on driveways, church lots and school pads without much site prep. For a shelter housing dozens of people, we scale toward a restroom trailer or an 8 stall unit instead of a row of singles, since trailers hold up better with continuous heavy use. If water service is out, we pair units with a portable sink rental and can bring a temporary power pole or a light tower if the site has no power after dark. Carson City sits in a region where wildfire evacuation and winter storm outages both happen, and a shelter site that loses grid power overnight still needs lit paths to the restrooms. We also carry holding tank rental options for sites without working septic, and can run emergency septic service if an existing tank has backed up under load. Every delivery includes a driver who sets pads, checks slope, and confirms clearance, because units placed on uneven ground fail fast under emergency-level traffic.
How Many Units Does a Shelter Site Need?
Start from headcount, not guesswork. OSHA 1926.51(c) sets a baseline of 1 toilet for 20 workers or fewer on a construction crew, and while a shelter isn't a job site, the ratio is a reasonable floor for any group using facilities over a full day. ANSI/PSAI Z4.3 sets a service interval of once per week for up to 10 users over a standard 40 hour week, but a disaster shelter running 24 hours with dozens of evacuees needs daily or twice-daily service instead, and we adjust the schedule once we see actual usage. If the shelter serves seniors or anyone using a wheelchair, ADA Standards section 403.5.1 requires a 36 inch clear path to the unit, and section 404.2.3 requires a 32 inch clear door opening, so we check the route before we set the unit, not after. A 60 inch turning circle per ADA Standards section 304.3.1 matters too if the ADA unit sits in a tight corner of a parking lot. Our placement guide walks through slope, clearance and access in more detail, and our how many do I need page has a fuller breakdown by headcount. For a fairground or school gym pressed into shelter use, we treat it like event restroom rental planning: more units up front beats scrambling for a second delivery at midnight.
Can You Deliver on Short Notice in Carson City?
Yes, and this is the question we get most during an actual event. We stage inventory locally and prioritize disaster calls over routine construction site services work when a genuine emergency is declared. Distance matters less than people think inside the valley: a shelter near Indian Hills, 6.8 miles southwest, or one out toward Johnson Lane, 13.9 miles south, is still a short haul for our trucks. A roll-off dumpster often follows close behind the restrooms once debris and damaged material start piling up, and a roll-off needs about 60 feet of straight clearance behind the truck to place safely, which matters on a lot crowded with parked cars and relief vehicles. If the shelter runs past a few weeks, ask about our monthly rental rates rather than paying day rates the whole time. Pricing during declared emergencies still runs inside our normal bands. See our rental cost breakdown for specifics on day, week and month pricing.
| unit | day | week | month |
|---|---|---|---|
| standard | $100-$350 | $130-$500 | $125-$325 |
| ada | $200-$400 | n/a | n/a |
| dumpster | $51-$112 | $426-$778 | n/a |
How fast can you get a unit to a shelter site?
Most local emergencies get same-day delivery once we confirm the address and headcount. Response time depends on how many units are needed and whether the site has clear truck access. Call as soon as a shelter opens rather than waiting for the first night to end.
Do you work directly with shelters or only with the city?
We work with whoever is coordinating the site, whether that's a church, a school or a county-run shelter. We don't require a city purchase order to respond to an active emergency. Just tell us the site address and expected headcount.
What if the shelter has no running water?
We bring portable sink rentals and handwashing stations stocked with soap and towels, since sanitizer alone doesn't meet 29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2). We can also supply holding tanks if the building's own plumbing is down. Ask about pairing a sink with a standard unit for a self-contained setup.
How do you handle ADA needs during an emergency?
We bring at least one ADA unit per ADA Standards section 213.2 whenever units are clustered, with a 36 inch path and 32 inch door clearance built into placement. Tell us at booking if anyone on site uses a wheelchair or walker. We check ground slope before we set the unit, not after.
Can you also help with debris cleanup after the event?
Yes. A roll-off dumpster can go on site alongside the restrooms once cleanup starts, and we also handle temporary fencing if the area needs to be secured. Ask about combining services in one delivery to save a truck trip.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.