Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 290 - RULES OF DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Chapter 290-2 - FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES
Subject 290-2-5 - RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR CHILD CARING INSTITUTIONS
Rule 290-2-5-.21 - Disaster Preparedness

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 290-2-5-.21

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

The facility shall prepare for potential emergency situations that may affect the care of children by developing and complying with an effective disaster preparedness plan that identifies emergency situations and outlines an appropriate course of action. The plan must be reviewed annually and revised, as appropriate, including any related written agreements.

(a) The disaster preparedness plan shall include at a minimum plans for the following emergency situations:

1. Local and widespread weather emergencies or natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, ice or snow storms, or floods;

2. Manmade disasters such as acts of terrorism and hazardous materials spills;

3. Unanticipated interruption of service of utilities, including water, gas, or electricity, either within the facility or within a local or widespread area;

4. Loss of heat or air conditioning;

5. Fire, explosion, or other physical damage to the facility; and

6. Pandemics, infectious disease outbreaks and illnesses or other situations where the community's need for services may exceed the availability of beds and services regularly offered by the facility.

(b) There shall be plans to ensure sufficient staffing and supplies to provide room, board and watchful oversight during the emergency situation.

(c) There shall be plans for the emergency transport or relocation of all the facility children, should it be necessary, in vehicles appropriate to the children's needs. Additionally there shall be written agreements with any facilities which have agreed to receive the facility's children in these situations.

(d) The facility shall document participation of all areas of the facility in quarterly fire drills.

(e) In addition to fire drills, the facility shall have its staff rehearse portions of the disaster preparedness plan, with a minimum of two rehearsals each calendar year either in response to an emergency or through planned drills, with coordination of the drills with the local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) whenever possible.

(f) The plan shall include the notification to the department of the emergency situation as required by these rules and notification of the lawful custodians of the children's whereabouts and condition.

(g) The facility shall provide a copy of the internal disaster preparedness plan to the local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and shall include the local EMA in development of the facility's plan for the management of external disasters.

(h) The facility's disaster preparedness plan shall also include the following additional items in efforts to limit and contain health hazards to children, staff, and the general public due to pandemic or infectious disease outbreaks:

1. Contact information for sources of public health information and guidance (e.g. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), state/local public health authorities),

2. Name and contact information of facility staff designated to provide updates to the Department, upon request, regarding the status of the outbreak or illness,

3. Process in place for providing notice of the outbreak or illness and any other necessary updates to parents/guardians,

4. Plan for immediate isolation of affected children and staff from unexposed children and staff,

5. Plan for minimizing the risk of exposure to unexposed children or staff, and

6. Plan for addressing business continuity and programmatic issues relevant to pandemic or infectious disease outbreaks.

(i) The facility's disaster preparedness plan shall be made available to the department for inspection upon request.

(j) The department may suspend any requirements of these rules and the enforcement of any rules where the Governor of the State of Georgia has declared a public health emergency.

O.C.G.A. §§ 49-5-8, 49-5-12, 49-5-90.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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