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September 2007

A Disaster Strikes … Are You Prepared?

Natural and man-made disasters are a very real threat to every senior
care provider … is your facility prepared?

Disasters can strike at anytime and anywhere. They can happen quickly and without warning, forcing you to evacuate or be confined to where you are at when it strikes. Are you prepared? Would you know what to do without basic services–water, gas, electricity, telephones and medical help or services? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but it can take days and they cannot reach everyone right away. Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility.

FEMA and American Red Cross recommend four steps for preparedness:

1. Get Informed
Ask about specific hazards that threaten your community (e.g. hurricanes, tornados, fires, floods, earthquakes and others) and about your risk from other hazards. Learn about community response plans, evacuation plans and procedures for when a disaster strikes. Find out how local authorities will warn you of a pending disaster, and how they will keep you informed during and after the disaster strikes. For information in your local area on community hazards, contact your emergency management office or your local American Red Cross Chapter. Learn about NOAA Weather Radio and its alerting capabilities at www.noaa.gov.

2. Make A Plan
Review the information you gathered about community hazards and make a plan for each type of disaster. Your plan should include meetings and planning efforts, and make sure to include your staff and family members. Make sure to include a communication plan with contact information of families, any out of  town contacts, meeting  locations, emergency services and the National Poison Control Center (1.800.222.1222). Your plan should also include a floor plan with escape routes and safe places. Practice emergency evacuation drills frequently and as you make changes, update your plan. Make sure each staff member, resident and family members have a copy of your communication plan and post in your facility. Include special considerations for medical needs, disabilities
and pets.

• Utilities – Know how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity at the main switches or valves, and share this information with anyone else that would also need to know, as well as provide the necessary training. Keep any tools you may need near gas and water shut off valves. Turn off the utilities only if you suspect the lines are damaged, you suspect a leak or if local officials instruct you to do so. (Note: Gas shut-off procedure – As part of your training process and drills, DO NOT ACTUALLY TURN OFF THE GAS. If the gas is turned off for any reason, only a qualified professional can turn it back on.)

• Fire Extinguisher – Make sure everyone knows the location of your fire
extinguishers and how to use each type (ABC). Have your local fire department provide your facility with training. Have the fire department demonstrate and train your staff how to extinguish a real fire.

• Personal Possessions/Vital Records – Keep a record of all personal possessions of each resident and update each record as needed. This also includes any vital records including advance directives, social security cards, Medicare/Medicaid number, medical history, health records and immunization records. Store this information in a secure (flood/fire safe) location so the records will survive a disaster.

• Reduce Known Hazards
        – In a disaster, ordinary items can cause injury and damage.
        – Have a professional repair defective electrical wiring and  leaky
           gas connections.
        – Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves and hang pictures and
           mirrors away from beds.
        – Use straps or other restraints to secure tall cabinets, bookshelves,
           large appliances, mirrors, shelves, large picture frames and light 
           fixtures to wall studs.
        – Repair cracks in ceilings and foundations.
        – Store flammable products away from heat sources.
        – Have a professional clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes,
           connectors and gas vents. 

3. Assemble a Disaster Supply Kit 
In the event you need to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you, you probably will not have the opportunity to shop for the supplies each person will need. A disaster supply kit should be assembled ahead of time and kept up-to-date. Review your kits at least once or twice a year, or per facility policy, to make sure your items have not expired and are in working order. Consider keeping a disaster kit in your own car and employees cars. Items to include but not limited to:

• Three-day supply of non-perishable food per person
• Manual can opener
• Three-day supply of water (one gallon of water per person, per day)
• Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries
• Flash lights and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual (bandages, saline, CPR mask, gloves, antiseptic,
  antibiotic ointment, pain relieving medication, cotton balls, ice and heat
  packs and scissors. For a pandemic outbreak, use approved mask and
  gloves). Note: this is not a complete list
• Sanitation and hygiene items (hand sanitizer, moist towelettes and
  toilet paper)
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Whistle
• Extra clothing and blankets
• Tools, pet supplies, a map of the local area and other items to meet
  your needs

A complete list, including your vehicle and colder climates materials, is featured online at www.fema.gov and www.redcross.org.

4. Maintain Your Plan
Review your plan every three-six months, or as needed, based on any policies and procedures already in place. Update as needed and whenever a part of your plan would change. Conduct fire, emergency evacuation and disaster drills on a regular basis. Document the training and drills including who attended. Check food and supplies for expiration dates. Discard and replace stored water and food every six months. Read the indicator on your fire extinguisher(s) and follow the Manufacturer’s instructions to recharge. Test smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Replace alarms every 10 years.

This material is adapted from Preparing for Disaster booklet by FEMA and American Red Cross and the complete information is available at the following web sites listed below or by calling FEMA at 1.800.480.2520.

For the complete information, please contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter. 
www.fema.gov
www.redcross.org

What Briggs can do to help you prepare…

"Wisconsin Assisted Living Association (WALA) chose to use the Disaster Preparedness section of the Briggs Assisted Living Operational Guidelines at a recent statewide assisted living disaster preparedness session. We chose Briggs because the comprehensive outlines that the template provides can be customized to any type or size of facility. The templates are clear, easy to use, give an enormous head-start in the planning process and ensure that no piece is overlooked. Disaster preparedness planning is a very serious task that impacts the lives and safety of all employees and residents of assisted living; WALA would recommend the Briggs Disaster Preparedness section of the Assisted Living Operational Guidelines as a versatile tool for anyone who must create, review or update the disaster plan for their residence."

Click here to learn more about Briggs Assisted Living Operational Guidelines

Jim Murphy
Executive Director of Wisconsin Assisted Living Association

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