In this video, they talk about the tools and strategies for how to prepare and know when to evacuate, and the steps to follow through safely in a disaster. Many safety procedures are established in a plan already in place but perhaps not reviewed and well known by staff. Taking the time to know these procedures and to ensure things like batteries are still good in smoke alarms(to be replaced one time a year at least & tested regularly). Also having a "go kit" is vital with food/water and medications and battery operated equipment and chargers readily available to leave quickly. For licensed locations which are homes for residents who are frail or incapacitated, having knowledge of evacuation routes & being ready with contact information for emergency agencies is vital. Even just making introductions to emergency staff (like the fire department) is helpful and important - plus reassuring to all to know those relationships exist. Also taking time to practice evacuation procedures if important - even doing role playing. I know in my role as an early childhood education substitute teacher that fire drills are routine and staff and kids are familiar with actions. Doing these actions without an emergency (or even discussing the potential crisis that may occur) can be helpful and keep the mood calm about this topic but offer peace of mind.
In my own experience, we evacuated in 2017 from fire near us in two locations near our home. At first our evacuation was voluntary because we lost power for a prolonged period of time but we returned -- then a week later the evacuation was mandatory and we used help from friends and lived in a hotel while the emergency was handled by firemen. I was only doing some introductory Ombudsman work at the time and not assigned to a residential care facility but I was able to be read some of the accounts of residents of a care home near my home. In the newsletter about the fire, some residents mentioned these memories from their evacuation:
Ann stated to her son by text, "We residents are being evacuated...I don't know where to." Her son then drove on his typical hour drive but on this night took three hours. He learned later his mother was taken to a local high school where she was sheltered in place with 300 others. During the days of separation, some residents of care facilities where able to be helped by other care facilities where their needs were met thanks to transferring medications and emergency information that was transported with the residents for more seamless transfer thanks to pre-arranged or last minute arrangements made. For those in the 2017 sheltering location whose conditions worsened, many were helped by emergency responders (like at hospitals) but know that in an emergency the time to respond will likely be longer. In that time frame I also met a woman with young children and was pregnant. The firemen came to her home to forcibly require an evacuation and she went into early labor right during the firemen's visit & continued to have her baby at a local hospital that evening. Know that everyone is under extra stress in an emergency and those who are medically vulnerable may have responses that require actions that are prompt and involve hospital visits if needed.
Knowing what can happen and planning for it carefully is vital for anyone but even more important for those who care for the frail and older family members. Make your plan now. Below is a photo from my neighborhood showing the fire that approached my home and that took nearly 2 weeks for us to return home from the threat.
At the end of the video, the narrator states, "Thank you for investing in 'readiness'" and I can't agree more. Many investments involve money but this mainly involves time and a state of mind to be ready for action with plans in place. This is an investment we can all make.
