Part IV. Safety and Security
6VAC35-71-450. Fire prevention plan.
Each JCC shall develop and implement a fire prevention plan that provides for an adequate fire protection service.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-460. Emergency and evacuation procedures.
A. Each JCC shall have a written emergency preparedness and response plan. The plan shall address:
1. Documentation of contact with the local emergency coordinator to determine (i) local disaster risks; (ii) communitywide plans to address different disasters and emergency situations; and (iii) assistance, if any, that the local emergency management office will provide to the facility in an emergency;
2. Analysis of the facility's capabilities and potential hazards, including natural disasters, severe weather, fire, flooding, workplace violence or terrorism, missing persons, severe injuries, or other emergencies that would disrupt the normal course of service delivery;
3. Written emergency management procedures outlining specific responsibilities for (i) provision of administrative direction and management of response activities; (ii) coordination of logistics during the emergency; (iii) communications; (iv) life safety of employees, contractors, interns, volunteers, visitors, and residents; (v) property protection; (vi) community outreach; and (vii) recovery and restoration;
4. Written emergency response procedures for (i) assessing the situation; (ii) protecting residents, employees, contractors, interns, volunteers, visitors, equipment, and vital records; and (iii) restoring services shall address:
a. Communicating with employees, contractors, and community responders;
b. Warning and notification of residents;
c. Providing emergency access to secure areas and opening locked doors;
d. Requiring fire and emergency keys that are instantly identifiable by sight and touch;
e. Conducting evacuations to emergency shelters or alternative sites and accounting for all residents;
f. Relocating residents, if necessary;
g. Notifying parents and legal guardians, as applicable and appropriate;
h. Alerting emergency personnel and sounding alarms;
i. Locating and shutting off utilities when necessary; and
j. Providing for a planned, personalized means of effective egress for residents who use wheelchairs, crutches, canes, or other mechanical devices for assistance in walking.
5. Supporting documents that would be needed in an emergency, including emergency call lists, building and site maps necessary to shut off utilities, designated escape routes, and list of major resources such as local emergency shelters; and
6. Schedule for testing the implementation of the plan and conducting emergency preparedness drills.
B. All employees shall be trained to ensure they are prepared to implement the emergency preparedness plan in the event of an emergency. Such training shall include the employees' responsibilities for:
1. Alerting emergency personnel and sounding alarms;
2. Implementing evacuation procedures, including evacuation of residents with special needs (i.e., deaf, blind, nonambulatory);
3. Using, maintaining, and operating emergency equipment;
4. Accessing emergency information for residents including medical information; and
5. Utilizing community support services.
C. Contractors and volunteers shall be oriented in their responsibilities in implementing the evacuation plan in the event of an emergency. Such orientation shall be in accordance with the requirements of 6VAC35-71-150 (required initial orientation), 6VAC35-71-160 (required initial training), and 6VAC35-71-240 (volunteer and intern orientation and training).
D. The JCC shall document the review of the emergency preparedness plan annually and make necessary revisions. Such revisions shall be communicated to employees, contractors, volunteers, and interns and shall be incorporated into (i) training for employees, contractors, interns, and volunteers; and (ii) orientation of residents to services.
E. In the event of a disaster, fire, emergency or any other condition that may jeopardize the health, safety and welfare of residents, the facility shall take appropriate action to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents and to remedy the conditions as soon as possible.
F. In the event of a disaster, fire, emergency, or any other condition that may jeopardize the health, safety and welfare of residents, the facility should first respond and stabilize the disaster or emergency. After the disaster or emergency is stabilized, the facility shall (i) report the disaster or emergency to (a) the legal guardian and (b) the director or his designee of the conditions at the facility and (ii) report the disaster or emergency to the regulatory authority. Such reporting shall be made as soon as possible but no later than 72 hours after the incident is stabilized.
G. Floor plans showing primary and secondary means of emergency exiting shall be posted on each floor in locations where they can easily be seen by employees and residents.
H. The responsibilities of the residents in implementing the emergency and evacuation procedures shall be communicated to all residents within seven days following admission or a substantive change in the procedures.
I. At least one evacuation drill (the simulation of the facility's emergency procedures) shall be conducted each month in each building occupied by residents. During any three consecutive calendar months, at least one evacuation drill shall be conducted during each shift.
J. A record shall be maintained for each evacuation drill and shall include the following:
1. Buildings in which the drill was conducted;
2. Date and time of drill;
3. Amount of time to evacuate the buildings; and
4. Specific problems encountered.
K. Each JCC shall assign one employee who shall ensure that all requirements regarding the emergency preparedness and response plan and the evacuation drill program are met.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-470. Security procedures.
Each JCC shall follow written security procedures related to the following:
1. Post orders or shift duties for each security post;
2. Population count;
3. A control center that integrates all external and internal security functions and communications, is secured from residents' access, and is staffed 24 hours a day;
4. Control of the perimeter;
5. Actions to be taken regarding any escapes or absences without permission;
6. Searches of the buildings, premises, and persons; and
7. The control, detection, and disposition of contraband.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-480. Searches of residents.
A. Written procedures shall govern searches of residents, including patdowns and frisk searches, strip searches, and body cavity searches, and shall include the following:
1. Searches of residents' persons shall be conducted only for the purposes of maintaining facility security and controlling contraband while protecting the dignity of the resident.
2. Searches are conducted only by personnel who are authorized to conduct such searches.
3. The resident shall not be touched any more than is necessary to conduct the search.
B. Patdown and frisk searches shall be conducted by personnel of the same sex as the resident being searched, except in emergencies.
C. Strip searches and visual inspections of the vagina and anal cavity areas shall be subject to the following:
1. The search shall be performed by personnel of the same sex as the resident being searched;
2. The search shall be conducted in an area that ensures privacy; and
3. Any witness to the search shall be of the same sex as the resident.
D. Manual and instrumental searches of the anal cavity or vagina, not including medical examinations or procedures conducted by medical personnel for medical purposes, shall be:
1. Performed only with the written authorization of the facility administrator or by a court order;
2. Conducted by a qualified medical professional;
3. Witnessed by personnel of the same sex as the resident; and
4. Fully documented in the resident's medical file.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-490. Communications systems.
A. There shall be at least one continuously operable, nonpay telephone accessible to staff in each building in which residents sleep or participate in programs.
B. There shall be a means for communicating between the control center and living units.
C. The facility shall be able to provide communications in an emergency.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-500. Emergency telephone numbers.
An emergency telephone number shall be provided to residents and the adults responsible for their care when a resident is away from the facility and not under the supervision of direct care staff or law-enforcement officials.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-510. Weapons.
No firearms or other weapons shall be permitted on the JCC's premises and during JCC-related activities except as provided in written procedures or authorized by the director or designee. Written procedures shall govern any possession, use, and storage of authorized firearms and other weapons on the JCC's premises and during JCC-related activities.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-520. Equipment inventory.
The facility shall follow written procedures governing the inventory and control of all security, maintenance, recreational, and medical equipment of the facility to which residents reasonably may be expected to have access.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-530. Power equipment.
The facility shall implement written safety rules for use and maintenance of power equipment.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-540. Transportation.
A. Each JCC shall have transportation available or make the necessary arrangements for routine and emergency transportation.
B. There shall be written safety rules for transportation of residents and for the use and maintenance of vehicles.
C. Written procedure shall provide for the verification of appropriate licensure for staff whose duties involve transporting residents.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.