LONGWOOD, Fla. – In July, Local 6 brought you the story of Safehut, emergency housing dreamed up by David Smith, a luxury boat builder who sketched out the concept of a secure housing unit on a cocktail napkin in the weeks and months after Hurricane Andrew.
After Andrew, thousands of Miami residents were forced to live in tent cities set up by the federal government when their homes were destroyed by the powerful storm.
But now, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be utilizing a different product to help damaged areas recover.
Safehut stands for Space Age Emergency Housing Unit.
This week, Safehut was added to FEMA's Responder Knowledge Base. According to the website, the RKB is designed to provide emergency responders, purchasers, and planners with a trusted, integrated, online source of information on products, standards, certifications, grants, and other equipment-related information.
Safehut units come with electricity and plumbing integrated inside. Folding cabinetry and fixtures is also sold with the units, which makes the housing fully functional within a few hours.
Safehut can plug right into an electrical grid or run off a generator and comes with central air conditioning.
Smith said the company is in the process of finding a bigger manufacturing space as they contract with more states, countries, agencies and businesses.
While the product was conceptualized for use after a disaster scenario, the sales team is also marketing towards businesses for temporary office space as well as individuals for recreational activities like ice fishing and hunting.