Emergency & Disaster Restroom Planning Guide
When storms, utility outages, or disasters hit, reliable sanitation becomes a critical need. This guide explains how to plan portable restrooms and restroom trailers for emergency response, temporary shelter operations, and business continuity in New Jersey.
Common Emergency Restroom Scenarios
- Storm or flood response (temporary shelter sites, command posts)
- Power or water outages at facilities, warehouses, or offices
- Fires and disaster scenes with extended on-site crews
- Temporary housing or community aid distribution sites
Restroom Types for Emergency Use
Pottys Plus, along with Restroom Resources, can support a range of emergency scenarios with:
- Standard Portable Restrooms for quick deployment and basic sanitation needs
- Standard With Flush units for higher comfort in longer-term deployments
- ADA & wheelchair-accessible units for shelters and public sites
- Handwash stations & sanitizer stands for hygiene control
- Restroom trailers for shelters, command centers, or long-duration emergencies
Restroom Trailers for Emergencies
Restroom trailers are especially useful when you need higher capacity, comfort, and privacy over multiple days or weeks. These can support staff, responders, and displaced residents at emergency bases or shelters.
- 2-Stall Restroom Trailer Useful for small command posts, staging areas, or staff-only locations. View 2-Stall Restroom Trailer
- 4-Stall Restroom Trailer Good fit for mid-sized emergency hubs, warming centers, or church/community shelters. View 4-Stall Restroom Trailer
- 8-Station Luxury Restroom Trailer Ideal for larger shelters, long-term operations, or high-volume responder bases. View 8-Station Trailer
- 10-Stall Restroom Trailer Supports large populations at major shelters, community centers, or multi-agency operation bases. View 10-Stall Trailer
- ADA-Compliant Restroom Trailers Critical for shelters and public staging areas to provide equal access and comfort for people with disabilities. View ADA Trailer Options
Portable Restrooms, ADA, and Accessibility in Emergencies
Emergency sites should always consider guests and residents with mobility challenges. Pottys Plus offers:
- XLT Wheelchair-Accessible Units with ground-level entry and extra interior space View XLT Accessible
- ADA-Compliant Portable Restrooms with flat-floor entry, extra-wide door, and turning radius View ADA-Compliant Restroom
- ADA-Compliant Restroom Trailers for higher comfort at shelters or long-term deployment sites View ADA Trailer Options
Handwashing & Hygiene for Emergency Response
Restrooms are only part of the sanitation plan. You’ll also want:
- Portable handwashing stations near restrooms and food distribution points View Handwashing Station
- Single-station sinks for smaller sites or staff-only areas View Single Station Sink
- Hand sanitizer stands at entrances, exits, and high-touch areas View Sanitizer Stands
How Many Units for an Emergency Site?
A simple baseline is to start with the same ratios you’d use for large events or construction, then adjust up based on:
- Estimated number of people on-site (residents + staff + volunteers)
- 24/7 vs limited-hour operations
- Duration of deployment (days vs weeks)
- Access to running water and existing restroom infrastructure
You can plug your headcount into our Unit Calculator as a starting point, then work with us to scale the numbers and mix in trailers where needed.
Placement Tips for Emergency Operations
- Place restrooms and trailers close enough to shelters, tents, and staging areas for easy access.
- Maintain clear, lit paths and ADA-accessible routes.
- Separate restroom areas from food preparation and medical treatment zones.
- Ensure trucks can safely access units and trailers for pumping and servicing.
- Use signage so residents and responders can quickly find restrooms and handwash stations.
Service, Cleaning & Long-Term Deployments
Emergencies can last days or weeks, so cleaning and service frequency are key:
- Daily or every-other-day service for busy shelters
- Scheduled tank pumping, restocking of toilet paper and sanitizer
- Extra attention to high-traffic locations and ADA units
Planning Ahead with Pottys Plus
If you’re responsible for emergency planning for a municipality, school, healthcare facility, or organization in New Jersey, we can help you put together a restroom and sanitation plan in advance so you’re not starting from scratch during an event.
For active emergencies or to discuss contingency planning:
- Use the Request a Quote form and mark it as “Emergency”
- Or call/text us directly at 732-592-1800
We’ll help you choose the right mix of portable restrooms, ADA units, handwash stations, and restroom trailers so you can maintain safe, dignified sanitation for everyone on-site.