Part VIII. Emergency Preparedness
22VAC40-61-520. Emergency preparedness and response plan.
A. The center shall develop an emergency preparedness and response plan that shall address:
1. Documentation of initial and annual contact with the local emergency coordinator to determine (i) local disaster risks, (ii) community wide plans to address different disasters and emergency situations, and (iii) assistance, if any, that the local emergency management office will provide to the center in an emergency.
2. Analysis of the center's potential hazards, including severe weather, biohazard events, fire, loss of utilities, flooding, work place violence or terrorism, severe injuries, or other emergencies that would disrupt normal operation of the center.
3. Emergency management policies and procedures for the provision of:
a. Administrative direction and management of response activities;
b. Coordination of logistics during the emergency;
c. Communications;
d. Life safety of participants, staff, volunteers, and visitors;
e. Property protection;
f. Continued services to participants;
g. Community resource accessibility; and
h. Recovery and restoration.
4. Emergency response procedures for assessing the situation; protecting participants, staff, volunteers, visitors, equipment, medications, and vital records; and restoring services. Emergency response procedures shall address:
a. Alerting emergency personnel and center staff;
b. Warning and notification of participants, including sounding of alarms when appropriate;
c. Providing emergency access to secure areas and opening locked doors;
d. Conducting evacuations and sheltering in place, as appropriate, and accounting for all participants;
e. Locating and shutting off utilities when necessary;
f. Maintaining and operating emergency equipment effectively and safely;
g. Communicating with staff and community emergency responders during the emergency;
h. Conducting relocations to emergency shelters or alternative sites when necessary and accounting for all participants; and
i. Strategies for reunification of participants with their family or legal representative.
5. Supporting documents that would be needed in an emergency, including emergency call lists, building and site maps necessary to shut off utilities, and as applicable, memoranda of understanding with relocation sites and list of major resources such as suppliers of emergency equipment.
B. Staff and volunteers shall be knowledgeable in and prepared to implement the emergency preparedness plan in the event of an emergency.
C. The center shall develop and implement an orientation and semi-annual review on the emergency preparedness and response plan for all staff, participants, and volunteers with emphasis placed on an individual's respective responsibilities, except that for participants, the orientation and review may be limited to only subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection. The review shall be documented by signing and dating. The orientation and review shall cover responsibilities for:
1. Alerting emergency personnel and sounding alarms;
2. Implementing evacuation, shelter in place, and relocation procedures;
3. Using, maintaining, and operating emergency equipment;
4. Accessing emergency medical information, equipment, and medications for participants;
5. Locating and shutting off utilities; and
6. Utilizing community support services.
D. The center shall review the emergency preparedness and response plan annually or more often as needed, document the review by signing and dating the plan, and make necessary revisions. Such revisions shall be communicated to staff, participants, and volunteers and incorporated into the orientation and semi-annual review.
E. In the event of a disaster, fire, emergency, or any other condition that may jeopardize the health, safety, and welfare of participants, the center shall take appropriate action to protect the participants and to remedy the conditions as soon as possible.
F. After the disaster or emergency is stabilized, the center shall:
1. Notify participants, family members and legal representatives; and
2. Report the disaster or emergency to the regional licensing office as specified in 22VAC40-61-90.
Statutory Authority
§ 63.2-1733 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 3, eff. December 29, 2019.
22VAC40-61-530. Fire and emergency evacuation plan.
A. The center shall have a plan for fire and emergency evacuation that is to be followed in the event of a fire or other emergency. The plan shall be approved by the appropriate fire official.
B. A fire and emergency evacuation drawing showing primary and secondary escape routes, areas of refuge, assembly areas, telephones, fire alarm boxes, and fire extinguishers shall be posted in a conspicuous place.
C. The telephone numbers for the fire department, rescue squad or ambulance, police, and Poison Control Center shall be posted by each telephone shown on the fire and emergency evacuation plan.
D. Staff and volunteers shall be fully informed of the approved fire and emergency evacuation plan, including their duties, and the location and operation of fire extinguishers, fire alarm boxes, and any other available emergency equipment.
Statutory Authority
§ 63.2-1733 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 3, eff. December 29, 2019.
22VAC40-61-540. Fire and emergency evacuation drills.
A. Fire and emergency evacuation drill frequency and participation shall be in accordance with the current edition of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (13VAC5-51).
B. Additional fire and emergency evacuation drills shall be held when there is any reason to question whether the requirements of the approved fire and emergency evacuation plan can be met.
C. Each required fire and emergency evacuation drill shall be unannounced.
D. Immediately following each required fire and emergency evacuation drill, there shall be an evaluation of the drill by the staff in order to determine the effectiveness of the drill. The licensee or director shall immediately correct any problems identified in the evaluation and document the corrective action taken.
E. A record of the required fire and emergency evacuation drills shall be kept in the center for two years. Such record shall include:
1. Identity of the person conducting the drill;
2. The date and time of the drill;
3. The method used for notification of the drill;
4. The number of staff participating;
5. The number of participants participating;
6. Any special conditions simulated;
7. The time it took to complete the drill;
8. Weather conditions; and
9. Problems encountered, if any.
Statutory Authority
§ 63.2-1733 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 3, eff. December 29, 2019.
22VAC40-61-550. Emergency equipment and supplies.
A. Each building of the center and all vehicles being used to transport participants shall contain a first aid kit which shall include:
1. Scissors;
2. Tweezers;
3. Gauze pads;
4. Adhesive tape;
5. Adhesive bandages in assorted sizes;
6. Triangular bandages;
7. Flexible gauze;
8. Antiseptic cleansing solution;
9. Antibacterial ointment;
10. Bee sting swabs or preparation;
11. Ice pack or ice bag;
12. Thermometer;
13. Small operable flashlight;
14. Single use gloves, such as surgical or examining gloves;
15. Disposable single-use breathing barriers or shields for use with breathing or CPR (e.g., CPR mask or other type); and
16. The first aid instructional manual.
B. The first aid kit shall be located in a designated place that is easily accessible to staff but not accessible to participants.
C. The first aid kit shall be checked at least annually and contents shall be replaced before expiration dates and as necessary.
D. Emergency equipment shall be available for use in the event of loss of utilities such as, but not limited to, a working flashlight, extra batteries, a portable radio, and a telephone or other communication device.
E. A plan shall be in place to provide an emergency meal and a supply of water to all participants in the event that meals are not able to be prepared or participants are required to shelter in place for a period of time.
Statutory Authority
§ 63.2-1733 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 3, eff. December 29, 2019.
22VAC40-61-560. Plan for participant emergencies.
A. The center shall have a plan for participant emergencies that includes:
1. Procedures for handling medical emergencies, including identifying the staff person responsible for (i) calling the rescue squad, ambulance service, participant's physician, or Poison Control Center and (ii) providing first aid and CPR when indicated.
2. Procedures for handling mental health emergencies such as, but not limited to, catastrophic reaction or the need for a temporary detention order.
3. Procedures for making pertinent medical information and history available to the rescue squad and hospital, including a copy of the current medical administration record, advance directives, and Do Not Resuscitate Orders.
4. Procedures to be followed in the event that a participant is missing, including (i) involvement of center staff, appropriate law-enforcement agency, and others as needed; (ii) areas to be searched; (iii) expectations upon locating the participant such as medical attention; and (iv) documentation of the event.
5. Procedures to be followed in the event of a vehicle emergency to include notifying the center or emergency personnel, telephone numbers for vehicle repair, and options for alternate transportation. Procedures to be followed in the event that a participant's scheduled transportation does not arrive or the participant is stranded at the center shall also be developed. The center shall ensure that these procedures are in place for transportation provided by both the center and contracted services if appropriate.
6. Procedures for notifying the participant's family, and legal representative.
7. Procedures for notifying the regional licensing office as specified in 22VAC40-61-90.
B. If the center serves participants who wander, a door bell or alarm shall be installed or attached to alert staff to wandering participants.
C. Staff shall be trained on all requirements of subsection A of this section during orientation and during a semi-annual review.
D. The plan for participant emergencies shall be readily available to all staff, family members, and legal representatives.
Statutory Authority
§ 63.2-1733 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 3, eff. December 29, 2019.