CALA News & Views | Issue 55 | Elevating Engagement

Procedures:  Evacuation plan , including facility sketches of assembly points.  Identify transportation needs for evacuating.  Have a way to communicate with emergency personnel or check emergency routes.  Identify at least two sheltering locations , one outside the immediate area.  Identify the location of utility shut-off valves and instructions for use.  Identify ways to provide assistance , administration, storage and preservation of medications, including refrigeration.  Plan how to operate assistive devices requiring electrical power during an evacuation.  Identify residents with special needs , e.g., residents on hospice, and plan to meet those needs.  Confirm resident location during an emergency.

Plans for Self-Reliance:

 Plan for a period of not less than 72 hours following any emergency or disaster, including short-term or long-term power failure.  Plan for sheltering in place and have supplies available to provide alternatives for utilities not available.  Procedures for emergency power , including backup generator suppliers and operating instructions for portable units, or the location and planned use of a permanent generator.  Procedure for responding to inoperable call buttons .  Process for communicating with residents ,

families, hospice providers and other relevant parties, along with a backup process and a way to notify them of the process.

Training:

Additional Requirements:  Ensure all staff on every shift have access to keys for facility vehicles, occupied resident units, exit doors and any cabinets or files containing elements of the emergency plan or needed supplies.  Include a contact list that includes emergency responders, Community Care Licensing Division, the local long-term care ombudsman and transportation providers.  Have an evacuation chair at each stairwell.  Make the plan available upon request to residents , responsible parties, the local long-term care ombudsman and emergency responders, while keeping employee and resident information confidential.  Ensure staff have immediate access to a resident roster during an emergency that includes birthdates, each resident’s needs and services plan, medication lists for those with centrally stored medications and contact information for each resident’s responsible party and physician.

Review of the Plan:  Train every employee on the plan upon hiring and annually thereafter.  Must include staff responsibilities during an emergency or disaster.  Conduct quarterly emergency drills on all shifts, vary the scenarios, document the date, scenario and participating staff, and provide residents the opportunity to participate.  Review and update the plan annually , revising floor plans and resident information as needed, and have the licensee or administrator sign and date the documentation to confirm the review.  It’s a good idea to also update the plan based on lessons learne d from any drills or actual emergencies.

CALA NEWS & VIEWS I ISSUE 55 | APRIL 2026 6