Section 295.2040  Disaster Preparedness

a)         For the purpose of this Section, "disaster" means an occurrence, as a result of a natural force or mechanical failure such as water, wind or fire, or a lack of essential resources such as electrical power, that poses a threat to the safety and welfare of residents, personnel, and others present in the establishment.

b)         Each establishment shall:

1)         Have a written plan for protection of all persons in the event of disasters, for keeping persons in place, for evacuating persons to areas of refuge, and for evacuating persons from the building when necessary.  The plan shall address the physical and cognitive needs of residents and include special staff response, including the procedures needed to ensure the safety of any resident. The plan shall be amended or revised whenever any resident with unusual needs is admitted.  The plan shall also:

A)        provide for the temporary relocation of residents for any disaster requiring relocation;

B)        provide for the movement of residents to safe locations within the establishment in the event of a tornado warning or severe thunder storm warning issued by the National Weather Service;

C)        provide for the temporary relocation of residents any time the temperature in residents' bedrooms falls below 55ºF for 12 hours or more as a result of a mechanical problem or loss of power in the establishment;

D)        provide for the health, safety, welfare and comfort of all residents when the heat index/apparent temperature (see Section 295.Table A), as established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, inside the residents' living, dining, activities, or sleeping areas of the establishment exceeds a heat index/apparent temperature of 80ºF;

E)        address power outages; and

F)         include contingencies in the event of flooding, if located on a flood plain.

2)         Instruct all personnel employed on the premises in the use of fire extinguishers.

3)         Post a diagram of the evacuation route and ensure that all personnel employed on the premises are aware of the route.

4)         Ensure that there is a means of notification to the establishment when the National Weather Service issues a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning covering the area in which the establishment is located.  The notification mechanism must be other than commercial radio or television.  Notification measures include being within range of local tornado warning sirens, an operable National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio in the establishment, or arrangements with local public safety agencies (police, fire, ESDA) to be notified if a warning is issued.

5)         Orient each resident to the emergency and evacuation plans within 10 days after the resident's arrival.  Orientation shall include assisting residents in identifying and using emergency exits.  Documentation of the orientation shall be signed and dated by the resident or the resident's representative.

c)         At least six drills shall be conducted per year on a bimonthly basis. At least two of the drills shall be conducted during the night when residents are sleeping.  All drills shall be held under varied conditions to:

1)         Ensure that all personnel on all shifts are trained to perform assigned tasks;

2)         Ensure that all personnel on all shifts are familiar with the use of the fire fighting equipment in the facility;

3)         Evaluate the effectiveness of disaster plans, procedures and training.

d)         The establishment shall conduct a tornado drill on each shift during February of each year for employees.

e)         Drills shall include residents, establishment personnel, and other persons in the establishment.

f)         Drills shall include making a general announcement throughout the establishment that a drill is being conducted or sounding an emergency alarm. Drills may be announced in advance to residents.

g)         Drills shall involve the actual evacuation of residents to an assembly point as specified in the emergency plan and shall provide residents with experience using various means of escape.  If an establishment has an evacuation capability classification of impractical, those residents who cannot meaningfully assist in their own evacuation or who have special health problems shall not be required to participate in the drill; however, other requirements of the Life Safety Code will apply.

h)         A written evaluation of each drill shall be submitted to the establishment manager and shall be maintained for one year from the date of the drill.  The evaluation shall include the date and time of the drill, names of employees participating in the drill, and identification of any residents who received assistance for evacuation.

i)          Reporting Disasters

1)         Upon the occurrence of any disaster requiring hospital service, police, fire department or coroner, the establishment manager or designee must provide a preliminary report to the Department either by using the Assisted Living Complaint Registry or by fax or by electronic means.  If the disaster will not require direct Department assistance, the establishment shall provide the preliminary report within 72 hours after the occurrence.  This preliminary report shall include, at a minimum:

A)        name and location of establishment;

B)        type of disaster;

C)        number of injuries or deaths to residents;

D)        number of units not usable due to the occurrence;

E)        estimate of the extent of damages to the establishment;

F)         type of assistance needed, if any;

G)        other State or local agencies notified about the problem.

2)         The establishment shall submit a full written account to the Department within seven days after the occurrence, including the information specified in subsection (i)(1) of this Section and a statement of action taken by the facility after the preliminary report was filed.