CALA News & Views | Issue 55 | Elevating Engagement

casual meet-and-greet with local law enforcement. These informal interactions allow responders to become familiar with your building layout, your resident population and your leadership team – while residents enjoy meeting the people who serve their community. It humanizes both sides of the partnership. From my years in the fire service, I can say confidently: responders perform better when they know the building and the people inside it. Familiarity improves response efficiency, reduces confusion and enhances safety for both residents and crews. These partnerships create mutual benefit: Benefits for Providers: ● Faster, more informed emergency response. ● Improved evacuation coordination. ● Greater clarity during wildfire or PSPS events. ● Increased confidence among staff and residents. Benefits for Responders: ● Pre-incident knowledge of mobility challenges. ● Familiarity with alarm panels, sprinkler risers and shut off locations. ● Safer, more strategic operational response. Preparedness becomes a collaboration – not a reaction. Q What are your thoughts on RCFEs engaging with the broader community and whether that can be beneficial in terms of emergency preparedness? THOMAS: Community engagement strengthens resilience. Assisted Living communities should: ● Participate in local emergency planning committees. ● Engage in wildfire preparedness coalitions. ● Establish vendor contingency relationships for fuel, food and medical supplies. ● Coordinate mutual aid discussions with nearby communities. Preparedness is not a binder on a shelf, it is a culture – practiced, reinforced and lived every day. Preparedness in senior living communities must be proactive, structured and consistent. Our residents deserve environments that are not only compassionate – but resilient. g Glenn Thomas is the president/owner of Full Spectrum Safety Consulting . Glenn has over 25 years of experience in safety and risk management and specializes in Life Safety Code compliance, OSHA standards, disaster planning and hazard assessment. He provides comprehensive safety training, develops disaster plans and conducts vulnerability assessments. Glenn serves on CALA’s Emergency Preparedness Workgroup and contributed to the development of CALA’s emergency preparedness tools and resources.

LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS to strengthen preparedness? Access CALA’s Emergency Prep Resources . VISIT www.CAassistedliving.org

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www.CAassistedliving.org