If you own or manage an assisted living facility, it is vital that you have a comprehensive fire safety plan in place before an emergency occurs. The first step for any assisted living facility is to prepare a comprehensive written fire safety plan. This written plan should outline specifically what steps should be followed by each employee and resident in the case of a fire or other emergency.
Below is a look at several features that you should include in any fire safety plan for an assisted living facility.
- Staff Fire Safety Training
The fire safety plan should include periodic training for all staff members, including doctors, nurses, aides, maintenance workers, receptionists, and the kitchen staff. The trainings should provide enough information to the staff, so everyone knows exactly what to do in the event of an emergency. This may also include fire prevention, lock-down, evacuation, and fire safety training.
- Resident Training
In addition to the staff, the residents must also know exactly what to do in case of a fire or other emergency. All residents should be provided with fire safety plan training as soon as they arrive and have periodic reminders throughout their stay.
- Fire Drills
Fire drills are a vital part of any fire safety plan and help to ensure that both the staff and residents know what to do if there is an emergency. Each states has its own regulations on how many fire drills an assisted living facility must hold every year. You also want to make sure that you alternate the time and date of these drills.
- Evacuation Plan
If there is a fire in the facility, at least a portion of the building will need to be evacuated. An evacuation plan should be developed for the entire facility as part of the fire safety plan. This should include a floor plan of the building that directs the staff, residents and visitors to the best way to exit the building in case of a fire.
You should have a fire safety plan, that includes fire safety training, put in place before the facility begins operations. In addition, that plan should be reviewed at least on an annual basis and any necessary changes should be made. The extra work you put into developing a concise fire safe plan now may literally help you save lives later.
