Fire Safety &

Disaster Planning
In-service Training Guide
 Overview
 Procedures to follow in case of a fire or
explosion
 Use of fire fighting equipment
 Evacuation of Residents
 Fire Drills
 Disaster Drills, including Tornado Drills
 Statistics:

According to the National Fire Protection

Association (a fire prevention research group)
nationwide, 2,300 nursing home fires are
reported each year – or one for every seven
nursing homes.
Purpose:
 The purpose of a Fire Policy and Procedure is
to ensure all staff know how to respond in the
event of a fire, and ensure the safety of all
Residents and Staff Members

• Each facility has an individualized Policy and Procedure outlining

a specific plan. Always follow your facility’s P & P.
Things to Know…

 Know the location of ALL Fire Pull Alarms;

Fire Extinguishers; and Emergency Exits
 Know your home’s Evacuation Plan and the
location everyone will gather once outside.
 Remain calm and Do Not Panic. Your residents
can sense FEAR.
 Know your responsibilities as a team member.
 Duties of Personnel
 Exact duties of various personnel or staff
members should be defined in your facility’s
Emergency Plan.
• Specific assignments may include notifying
the Fire Department; notifying the
Administrator; keeping a roster of all residents
in case evacuation is necessary; someone to
meet the fire department; or someone to
answer the phones
Remember this Procedure:
R.A.C.E.
• R = RESCUE. Rescue anyone in immediate danger.
• A = ALERT. Alert all staff by activating the nearest
fire alarm and use the intercom to communicate the
fire and location. The person in charge shall call 911.
• C = CONTAIN. Contain fire and smoke by closing all
doors and windows in the area.
• E = EXTINGUISH. Extinguish if the fire is small
enough. If you cannot extinguish evacuate
that area of the building immediately.
 Extinguishing a Fire
P.A.S.S. – is the common acronym used to
describe the 4-step process of operating a fire
extinguisher.
• P = PULL. Pull the safety pin on the extinguisher.
• A = AIM. Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
• S = SQUEEZE. Squeeze the handle to discharge the
material.
• S = SWEEP. Use the sweeping motion with the
extinguisher at the base of the fire from
side to side.
 DRILLS
 Test the efficiency, knowledge and response of all
personnel in the event of an emergency.
 Drills should test your plan. Address any part of
your plan that did not go correctly during the drill.
This is the time to make sure it works!
 Involve residents in the drill as much as possible.
 Know the characteristics of how your
residents respond during the drill.
 FIRE DRILLS
 Fire Drills should always be taken seriously,
and performed as if an actual fire were
occurring.
• The more prepared you and your residents
are, the more likely you will be able to react
and respond quickly and appropriately.
 Involve your local fire department in your drills
and invite them to get familiar with the layout of
your home.
 FIRE DRILL REQUIREMENTS
 Performed Quarterly
 On Each Shift
 Unannounced
 Not at shift change
 Not on the same day
 Must maintain documentation of all drills
 Disasters
What other disasters or emergencies are we at
risk for based on our geographic location and the
nature of our business?
• Tornadoes
• Flooding
• Ice Storms
• Chemical Spills
• Missing Resident
• Irate Family Member
Can you think of more?
 Disaster Planning

 A disaster can refer to various events.

 Disaster can be any event or situation that could
potentially harm residents or staff members.
 Every facility must have a plan in place to activate in the
event a disaster strikes. This plan may also be called a
Policy and Procedure.
 Every facility’s plan will be different based on the types of
residents we serve and where we are located.
Remember-
 The purpose of a Disaster Plan is to ensure all
staff know how to respond appropriately in the
event of a disaster, in order to ensure the safety
of all Residents and Staff Members.
 Some disasters may involve evacuating the
facility and some may require you to shelter in
place.
 We have to be prepared for either!
Declaring Disaster…
 The facility Administrator, or highest ranking
staff member on duty, is the person responsible
for declaring the situation as a disaster and for
determining whether you will evacuate or
shelter in place.
• Once again, refer to your facility’s Emergency
Preparedness Plan to identify specific duties
for each staff member.
 Disaster Drills

 At a minimum, Tornado Drills shall be

conducted on each shift semi-annually.

 Other Disaster Drills shall be conducted on

each shift at least annually.
 Before we end,
Let’s Review…..
 If the fire alarm goes off, what do you do?
 If you discover a resident is missing, what do
you do?
 What would you do if you discovered a fire in a
resident’s room?
 Where are fire alarms and fire extinguishers
located on this unit?
 How do you use the fire extinguisher?
Questions, Comments, Concerns?

 All of these should be addressed immediately

to ensure safety to all individuals.
 Closing Thought…
Those who fail to plan…..

……..Plan to fail !
-Winston Churchill

KNOW YOUR ROLE IN THE PLAN

 THANK YOU! for all that you do to keep our
residents and their home safe.

Arkansas Innovative Performance Program (AIPP)

1020 W 4th Street, Suite 430 • Little Rock, AR 72201
877-375-5700 • (Fax) 501-375-5926
aipp@afmc.org • aipp.afmc.org  arkansasculturechange.com
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THIS MATERIAL WAS PREPARED BY THE ARKANSAS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL CARE INC. (AFMC) UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, DIVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES. THE CONTENTS PRESENTED DO
NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT ARKANSAS DHS POLICY. THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH TITLES VI AND VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.