In response to the dire housing situation following Hurricane Helene, North Carolina State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor disclosed an emergency rule to assist displaced citizens. According to an official statement provided by the NC Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), the rule was put into effect last Tuesday, streamlining the construction process for temporary housing. This step is meant to mitigate the shelter crisis as winter temperatures decline and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) falls behind in delivering housing aid.

The necessity for rapid shelter provision was accentuated by the severe cold and inadequate temporary housing, made worse by the lag in FEMA's anticipated housing unit installations. North Carolinians, along with local churches and charities, have been eager to offer temporary housing, but regulatory hurdles have stymied timely action. Moreover, local inspection departments find themselves outstretched, grappling with ensuring safety standards against a backdrop of widespread infrastructural recovery challenges.

OSFM's move provided a set of minimum safety requirements that permit citizens and organizations to build temporary housing that meets essential safety standards. The regulations cover various construction elements from foundations to roofing, and specify necessary safety measures, including the installation of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

Additionally, the emergency rule incorporates an affidavit process where property owners can certify their compliance with safety standards. This effectively waives the normal permit and inspection prerequisites, effectively untying the hands of property owners in providing immediate shelter. State Fire Marshal Taylor emphasized that the rule adjusts to the current need for flexibility, while still ensuring resident safety.