JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – As the chill of sub-freezing temperatures sweeps through the Tri-Cities area, some Salvation Army locations have already implemented their white flag emergency protocols, while others plan to do so later this month.

The Salvation Army in Bristol initiated their white flag measures on Sunday night, prompted by forecasts predicting temperatures plunging into the 20s.

“Our white flag policy is activated on any night when the temperature drops below 32 degrees,” explained Major Jay Spalding. “We welcome people to stay as long as there are beds available. Extra beds are set up, and their stay does not count against the standard 28-day limit at the shelter.”

Typically, the Bristol Salvation Army accommodates 35 individuals, but with the white flag in effect, they can expand capacity to 51 guests.

In contrast, the Salvation Army in Johnson City plans to implement their white flag protocol starting November 26. Major RC Duskin attributed this delay to staffing challenges and the need for adequate training to ensure the process runs smoothly.

“As part of the beginning of the season, we usually pick a date as part of when we are able to start accepting folks into our building,” he said. “Staff and temperature are a part of that. We want to be sure that we’re providing a safe environment for everyone, for our staff, for our current guests, and the white flag guests. We need to be doing everything we can to make sure it is the right time for us to be able to do that.”

White flag protocols are under the authority of each shelter. There is no required temperature or duration to raise a white flag; each Salvation Army sets its own parameters.

“We [in the past] start [white flag nights] in January or February,” said Spalding. “We’ve already had some this year, but it’s a pretty early time to have them. Usually, they start hitting earlier in December.”

White flag nights required extra staff on site to make sure everyone in the shelter remains safe, prepare meals and clean before guests arrive and after they leave.

“It’s a good thing to be able to offer this, but it’s a struggle on us as well,” Spalding said. “Not only a financial struggle, but on our employees. Anytime we can get extra help or donations, that helps us provide a good, safe place, but no one can survive out there when temperatures are dropping into the 20s and feels like it’s in the tens.”

Duskin said the Johnson City Salvation Army may be able to raise the white flag early if extra staffing or donations come in, or staff training concludes early.

“We’re always looking for help, whether it’s financial donations or volunteers,” he said. “We have a group of volunteers already committed to doing one day during the week through the season, and we’re so thankful for that group stepping up to help out as part of the intake process. We look to have two people at all times. We’re not always able to meet that, but it’s really making sure when we have additional guests in our facility that we have those two people because we want to be sure that everyone is safe as part of their time with us.”