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Fire Prevention, Life Safety, and Disaster Preparedness

People Taking Care of People...

             Together we can do anything

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Objectives

• Describe common fire hazards in the LTC setting• Describe what to do if a fire occurs• List common electrical hazards in the LTC setting• Discuss how to manage and correct identified hazards• Demonstrate how to utilize a fire extinguisher• Demonstrate correct fire exiting procedures• Discuss your facility disaster preparedness plan • Describe how to prepare and care for residents/patients

before, during and after disaster• Demonstrate where to locate facility disaster and

emergency supplies

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Fire Basics

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Components Necessary…

Heat +Air (oxygen) + Fuel = FIRE

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Source

• Heat source

• Oxygen source

• Fuel source

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Source

• Heat source:– Electric cords frayed– Matches, cigarettes– Candles, stoves– Heaters – Laundry dryers

• Oxygen source– Air – Oxygen enhanced

• Fuel source– Bed linens, curtains– Magazines, papers– Clothing, furniture

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Fire Hazards in the Workplace

• Smoking/matches in bed/confined, know the smoking policies in your facility.

• Electrical ,all plugs and cords should be regularly inspected. Never put an electrical bed up against the wall. Linens can get trapped and ignite.

• Candles There should be no open flame in the facility

• Heaters• Blocked exits -Check your halls! • Untrained staff -Know your Role!

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Whose responsibility is fire safety?

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Charge Person/Supervisor • Follow YOUR Emergency Action Plan

• Call the fire department at 9-1-1. Give exact location of the fire and its extent.

• Call the Administrator

• Assist with residents if evacuation is necessary.

• Assign a staff member to meet the fire department in order to direct them to the fire. Assign a staff member to keep a roster of residents if evacuation is necessary. Assign a staff member to answer the telephone and relay messages and instructions.

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Fire Exit Procedure

Below are suggested steps to follow when establishing and participating in fire drills or emergencies. Always follow YOUR Emergency Action Plan:

• The fire exit plan shall include everybody in the building. This includes all residents, visitors, guests, employees, and attendants. There are no excuses for not participating. Everyone must leave the building during a drill period.

• Diagram and post two routes to the outside from all rooms.

• Designate a meeting place outdoors which is away from the building and clear of entrances. The designated meeting place should be at least 50 feet from the building.

• Locate a method of calling 911 near the designated meeting place that does not involve re-entering the building.

• Establish a method to account for those known to be in the building at the time the alarm is sounded. In case of actual fire conditions, information regarding persons believed to be in the building should be made available to responding emergency crews. (Do not return inside. Only trained search and rescue personnel should re-enter an evacuated area.)

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Tips to Remember

• Predetermine two means of exiting from your normal workplace

• Learn the location of the nearest fire alarm pull station and portable fire extinguisher.

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What is the Life Safety Code?

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• Currently used in every U.S. state and adopted statewide in 43 states, NFPA 101®:Life Safety Code® (NFPA 101), addresses minimum building design, construction, operation, and maintenance requirements necessary to protect building occupants from danger caused by fire, smoke, and toxic fumes.

National Fire Prevention Association NFPA

NFPA 101®: Life Safety Code®

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K-Tags are the Regs for Safety!K-Tags Life Safety Code based on the National Fire Prevention AssociationWritten Plans for protections to include:

• Alarms and transmission to fire department• Response to alarms• Isolation of Fire• Evacuation of immediate area• Evacuation of smoke compartment• Preparation of other floors for evacuation• Extinguish fire• Quarterly fire drills & documentation of such• Smoking in rooms prohibited with oxygen, flammable gas etc• No smoking by non-responsible residents except with direct supervision• Ashtrays non-combustible materials• Outside: metal containers with self-covering lids for ash tray removal where

smoking is permitted

• And much, much more…

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Disaster Preparedness

• Be ready for the types of natural disasters that can occur in your area.

• Never assume that you will not be affected, know the weather and keep up to date with the news about what is happening in your area.

• Always assume….

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Assumptions to consider…

• A natural disaster may occur at any time

• If large enough, the facility may need outside help and resources (e.g, local fire department or rescue agencies)

• Each facility should have an emergency – disaster plan

• In the event of a large scale disaster, everyone will be needed to help

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…Before a Disaster

• Remain CALM…. • Know your “safe” areas to move residents• Collect blankets if time permits (warmth &

protection from falling debris)• Ensure all residents have identification bands on • Keep flashlights/batteries close• Close shades/curtain for high wind/rain• Use “RED” plugs for oxygen etc (generator) or

use portable tanks …

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…Before a Disaster

• Stay away from windows (breaking glass)• If time, put immobile residents in w/c’s for quick

evacuation if necessary –if in bed, use several blankets for protection

• Direct ambulatory residents to safe area first• Post signs /post a sentry for DO NOT USE elevators• Follow directions from Admin/Don/Supervisor• Do not tie up land line telephone unnecessarily• Keep cell phones on hand• Know where supplies of water & food, blankets, • are kept• Be available to help

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During a Disaster…

• Remain calm• Listen and follow directions• Protect resident’s head/face/eyes – use blankets,

newspaper, magazines etc• Keep low to ground to avoid falling-avoid smoke if fire

starts etc• Do not allow residents/others to leave the safe area• Don’t use elevator• Stay away from unsecured wall mounting such as

shelves, pictures, clocks etc

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After the Disaster…

• Remain Calm.• Check each resident for needs including non- medical• Alert fire, police local authorities as directed• Review resident/employee attendance list• Attend to injured if any – transport if necessary and

possible• Avoid electrical use until cleared. Keep continue to use

the red plugs as long as generator is on.• Contact families as soon as feasible• Pass out water and warm/dry clothing if available

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Objectives Review!Can you…

• Describe common fire hazards in the LTC setting• Describe what to do if a fire occurs• List common electrical hazards in the LTC setting• Discuss how to manage and correct identified hazards• Demonstrate how to utilize a fire extinguisher• Demonstrate correct fire exiting procedures• Discuss your facility disaster preparedness plan • Describe how to prepare and care for residents/patients

before, during and after disaster• Demonstrate where to locate facility disaster and

emergency supplies

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References

• Safety & OSHA Compliance

• Administrative Manual Section E

• http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/FIHartfordSummary.pdf

• http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/committees/disaster/documents/fire_drill.doc

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Congratulations!

You have completed this session on

Fire Prevention & Life Safety

&

Disaster Preparedness

Thank you

Questions?