1. (1) The licensee is responsible for the safety and well-being of each resident during an emergency or disaster.

2. (2)(a) The licensee and the administrator are responsible for developing an emergency and disaster response plan to respond to potential emergencies and disasters.

   1. (b) The emergency and disaster response plan shall outline the protection or evacuation plan for each resident, including arrangements for staff response, or providing additional staff, to ensure the safety of any resident with a physical or mental limitation.
3. (3) The licensee shall ensure that the facility's emergency and disaster response plan is in-writing and distributed or made available to facility staff and each resident to ensure prompt and efficient implementation.

4. (4) An emergency and disaster includes:

   1. (a) a bomb threat;
   2. (b) a fire;
   3. (c) a missing resident;
   4. (d) a mass casualty;
   5. (e) an earthquake;
   6. (f) a windstorm;
   7. (g) an epidemic;

   8. (h) an explosion;

      1. (i) an interruption of public utilities;
   9. (j) severe weather; and
   10. (k) the death of a resident.
5. (5) The licensee and the administrator shall review and update the plan as necessary to conform with local emergency plans. The licensee shall ensure the plan is available for review by OL.

6. (6) The licensee shall ensure the emergency and disaster response plan addresses the following:

   1. (a) assignment of personnel to specific tasks during an emergency;
   2. (b) delivery of essential care and services if additional persons are housed in the facility during an emergency;
   3. (c) delivery of essential care and services to facility occupants by alternate means;
   4. (d) delivery of essential care and services to facility occupants if personnel are reduced by an emergency;
   5. (e) instructions on how to contain a fire and how to use the facility alarm systems;
   6. (f) instructions on how to recruit additional help, supplies, and equipment to meet each resident's needs after an emergency or disaster;
   7. (g) the procedure to evacuate and transport each resident and staff to a safe place within the facility or to other prearranged locations;

   8. (h) the names and telephone numbers of emergency medical personnel, fire department, paramedics, ambulance service, police, and other appropriate agencies;

      1. (i) the names of the person in charge and persons with decision-making authority; and
   9. (j) the names of persons who shall be notified in an emergency in order of priority.

7. (7)(a) The licensee shall maintain safe ambient air temperatures within the facility.

   1. (b) The person in charge shall take immediate action in the best interests of each resident to mitigate imminent danger to resident health and safety when the ambient air temperatures reach 58 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
   2. (c) The licensee shall have, and be able to implement, any contingency plan regarding excessively high ambient air temperatures within the facility that may exacerbate the medical condition of a resident.

8. (8)(a) The licensee shall provide each personnel and resident with instruction and training per the plans regarding how to respond appropriately in an emergency.

   1. (b) The licensee shall:

      1. (i) annually review the procedures with each existing staff and resident and carry out unannounced drills using those procedures;
      2. (ii) hold simulated disaster drills semi-annually;
      3. (iii) hold simulated fire drills quarterly on each shift for each staff and resident in accordance with Rule R710-3; and

      4. (iv) document drills, including:

         1. (A) the date;
         2. (B) a list of participants;
         3. (C) any problems encountered; and
         4. (D) the ability of each resident to evacuate.

9. (9)(a) The licensee shall ensure that the administrator is in charge during an emergency.

   1. (b) If the administrator is not on-site, the administrator shall make every effort to report to the facility, relieve subordinates, and take charge.

10. (10) The licensee shall provide in-house equipment and supplies required in an emergency that includes:

    1. (a) a first aid kit;
    2. (b) an emergency radio;
    3. (c) emergency lighting;
    4. (d) extra blankets;
    5. (e) food;
    6. (f) heating equipment; and
    7. (g) potable water.

11. (11) The licensee shall ensure the following information is posted in public locations throughout the facility:

    1. (a) evacuation routes, location of fire alarm boxes, and fire extinguishers; and
    2. (b) the name of the person in charge and names and telephone numbers of emergency medical personnel, agencies, and appropriate communication and emergency transport systems.

KEY: health care facilities

Date of Last Change: November 13, 2025

Notice of Continuation: February 7, 2024

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 26B-2-202