TARRY HOUSE, INC.
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Subject: Natural
Disaster Plan |
Procedure Number:
H.S. 05 |
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Site: Tarry
House and Tarry House Respite |
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Issued By: Executive
Director |
Effective: 4/00 |
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Approved By: The
Board of Trustees |
Revised: |
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Reference Policy:
H.S. 01 |
Reviewed: |
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Standards
Reference: |
CARF: Section 1. E.
3. ODMH: 5122 30-20 |
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I.
Purpose
To provide for the safety of residents, staff, volunteers
and board members while at Tarry House Treatment/Recovery Home and the Tarry
House Respite Facility in the event of a natural disaster. A Natural Disaster
is defined as any naturally occurring event that may cause a major disruption
in the day-to-day operation of the facility or the delivery of services for an
extended period of time.
II.
Policy
It is the policy of Tarry House, Inc. to provide a safe and
secure location for residents, staff, volunteers and board members in the event
of a natural disaster. A “Safe and Secure Location” is defined as emergency
shelter within the facility, or temporary housing at another location. It is
the responsibility of the Executive Director to determine which procedure staff
is to follow in response to a natural disaster and timeframes for implementing
the procedures. The agency shall be responsible for providing continuation of essential services such as; transportation, temporary lodging and
meals for all residents of the facility at the time the emergency situation
occur. In the event evacuation becomes necessary, all Tarry House, Inc. staff may be asked to
report for duty immediately by the Executive Director.
The nature of the disaster or emergency will be the
determining factor for if and/or when the facility will be evacuated, for how
long and whether or not a temporary relation is necessary. For loss of electricity, the Executive Director
will evacuate the facility after no more than eight (8) hours. For loss of
heating, the Executive Director will evacuate the facility if the indoor
temperature drops below 60 degrees F. For extreme high temperatures, the
Executive Director will evacuate the facility if it appears as though occupants
are at risk of suffering from heat related illnesses. For loss of water, and
sewer, the Executive Director will evacuate the facility if conditions appear
to have become unsanitary.
III.
Procedure
In the event of a tornado warning, staff on duty is to;
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Locate any resident, staff, volunteers and board
members outside on the grounds and require them to enter the
facility immediately. This will be done by sounding a designated alarm, which
can be heard outdoors. This will indicate that all persons on the Tarry House
grounds are to come inside the facility immediately.
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Locate all other residents, staff, volunteers
and board members within the facility and immediately relocate everyone to the
recreation room of the facility.
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Staff will bring the facility’s cell phone and if
possible, staff will take resident’s medications, medication book, emergency
medical information for people served and staff, and person’s served records to
the relocation site.
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Staff should close the door leading to the
basement.
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Staff should notify the Executive Director when
the relocation is complete.
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Staff should open the emergency cupboard where
water and the emergency radio are kept, turn on the radio and tune to the
emergency weather frequency marked on the radio.
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Staff should take attendance of all occupants to
determine if anyone is missing.
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If possible, staff should notify the Executive
Director if anyone is missing.
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Occupants should not exit the relocation area
until the warning is over.
¨ Following the disaster emergency, staff should determine the extent of any damage to the facility if any, and notify the Executive Director.
¨ For persons confined to wheel-chairs living in the Tarry House Recovery Home’s Annex, or at Respite, staff will direct these individuals served to the closest bathroom on the lowest level possible. The individual served will be instructed to remain there until the severe weather/tornado warning expires.
In the event of a natural disaster that necessitates the
evacuation of the facility and or the home is uninhabitable, staff on duty is
to;
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Notify the Police and Fire Departments.
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Notify the Executive Director.
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The Executive Director, or designee will notify
the American Red Cross (501 W. Market St., Akron, Ohio) Ph- (330) 535-6131, or Community Support
Services at 330.253.9388 that emergency housing may be needed.
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Executive Director to call in off duty staff to
assist in relocation
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On duty staff to arrange emergency
transportation for residents, staff, volunteers and board members.
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If possible, staff will take person’s served
medications, the medication administration record book (MARS Book), emergency
medical information for people served and staff, and current client records to
the relocation site.
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Transport all residents, staff, volunteers and
board members to the American Red Cross designated relocation site, resident’s
family member’s homes if appropriate, Community Support Services, Portage Path
Emergency Services Crisis Stabilization Unit.
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All evacuees should remain at the relocation
site unless otherwise instructed by the Executive Director.
¨ The Executive Director will complete a Major Incident Report and make all required notifications.
Continuation of Essential Services
Tarry House Recovery Home: If the Tarry House Recovery Home is uninhabitable and temporary relocation is needed, the essential services provided by Tarry House will be room and board services in a clean and safe environment as well as 24 hour supervision for those served. In addition, transportation to persons served day programming will be provided if agency vehicles are still operating. Medication monitoring will also continue. Lastly, if space is available, some limited therapeutic activities will be provided.
Tarry House Respite Facility: If the Tarry House Respite Facility is uninhabitable and temporary relocation is needed, the essential services provided by Tarry House will be room and board services in a clean and safe environment as well as 24 hour supervision for those served. In addition, transportation to persons served day programming will be provided if agency vehicles are still operating.
The exception to this would be if the person served moved in with a relative or other caregiver. In this case Tarry House would work closely with the person served case worker to ensure the person is well cared for until they can return to the Tarry House facility.
________________________________ _____________________
Executive
Director Date