Fire safety and emergencies: the steps to remember

Is there a fire, smoke or an explosion in or on the premises?

• Yes

  Call 911 and follow your assignment in the plan: get residents out to the assembly point and count them against the roster. Tell the administrator; the fire is reported to licensing by the next working day.

• No

  Does a resident's health face an imminent threat, such as an apparent life-threatening medical crisis?

  • Yes

    Call 911 now. If a DNR form or advance directive is on file, give it to the responders and point out the resident. Then tell the administrator, any hospice and the surrogate. Only for a hospice resident dying of the expected illness may the home call the hospice instead.

  • No

    Is the power, water, gas or sewer out, or have the call buttons stopped working?

    • Yes

      Follow the plan's shelter-in-place steps: battery lights only, the steps for oxygen and other powered devices and for cold medications, and in-person checks on residents. Tell the person in charge.

    • No

      Is a resident ill from heat, or is a resident's room above 85 degrees F?

      • Yes

        Use the plan's water, fans and cooling devices and tell the person in charge now. A heat-related illness is reported to the licensing regional office immediately; the administrator makes the report.

      • No

        Has a resident's ability to get out alone changed, such as a new walker, being bedridden or not reacting to the alarm?

        • Yes

          Write down what you saw and tell the administrator this shift. The licensee works out the room and the fire clearance with licensing and the fire authority. A bedridden resident means the fire authority is told within 48 hours.

        • No

          Keep to your assignment in the plan. Ask the person in charge about anything the plan does not answer.