R432-270-26. Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

(1) The facility is responsible for the safety and well-being of residents in the event of an emergency or disaster.

(2) The licensee and the administrator are responsible to develop and coordinate plans with state and local emergency disaster authorities to respond to potential emergencies and disasters. The plan shall outline the protection or evacuation of all residents, and include arrangements for staff response or provisions of additional staff to ensure the safety of any resident with physical or mental limitations.

(a) Emergencies and disasters include fire, severe weather, missing residents, death of a resident, interruption of public utilities, explosion, bomb threat, earthquake, flood, windstorm, epidemic, or mass casualty.

(b) The emergency and disaster response plan shall be in writing and distributed or made available to all facility staff and residents to assure prompt and efficient implementation.

(c) The licensee and the administrator must review and update the plan as necessary to conform with local emergency plans. The plan shall be available for review by the Department.

(3) The facility's emergency and disaster response plan must address the following:

(a) the names of the person in charge and persons with decision-making authority;

(b) the names of persons who shall be notified in an emergency in order of priority;

(c) the names and telephone numbers of emergency medical personnel, fire department, paramedics, ambulance service, police, and other appropriate agencies;

(d) instructions on how to contain a fire and how to use the facility alarm systems;

(e) assignment of personnel to specific tasks during an emergency;

(f) the procedure to evacuate and transport residents and staff to a safe place within the facility or to other prearranged locations;

(g) instructions on how to recruit additional help, supplies, and equipment to meet the residents' needs after an emergency or disaster;

(h) delivery of essential care and services to facility occupants by alternate means;

(i) delivery of essential care and services when additional persons are housed in the facility during an emergency; and

(j) delivery of essential care and services to facility occupants when personnel are reduced by an emergency.

(4) The facility must maintain safe ambient air temperatures within the facility.

(a) Emergency heating must have the approval of the local fire department.

(b) Ambient air temperatures of 58 degrees F. or below may constitute an imminent danger to the health and safety of the residents in the facility. The person in charge shall take immediate action in the best interests of the residents.

(c) The facility shall have, and be capable of implementing, contingency plans regarding excessively high ambient air temperatures within the facility that may exacerbate the medical condition of residents.

(5) Personnel and residents shall receive instruction and training in accordance with the plans to respond appropriately in an emergency. The facility shall:

(a) annually review the procedures with existing staff and residents and carry out unannounced drills using those procedures;

(b) hold simulated disaster drills semi-annually;

(c) hold simulated fire drills quarterly on each shift for staff and residents in accordance with Rule R710-3; and

(d) document all drills, including date, participants, problems encountered, and the ability of each resident to evacuate.

(6) The administrator shall be in charge during an emergency. If not on the premises, the administrator shall make every effort to report to the facility, relieve subordinates and take charge.

(7) The facility shall provide in-house all equipment and supplies required in an emergency including emergency lighting, heating equipment, food, potable water, extra blankets, first aid kit, and radio.

(8) The following information shall be posted in prominent locations throughout the facility:

(a) The name of the person in charge and names and telephone numbers of emergency medical personnel, agencies, and appropriate communication and emergency transport systems; and

(b) evacuation routes, location of fire alarm boxes, and fire extinguishers.