Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024
A.
All facilities shall develop, by contact and consultation with their county
emergency preparedness agency, a suitable written plan for actions to be taken
in the event of a disaster and/or emergency evacuation and implement the
written plan for actions at the time of need. Prior to initial licensing of a
facility, the completed plan shall be submitted to the Department for review.
Additionally, in instances where there are applications for increases in
licensed bed capacity, the emergency and disaster evacuation plan shall be
updated to reflect the proposed new total licensed bed capacity. All staff
members shall be made familiar with this plan and instructed as to any required
actions. A copy of the emergency and disaster evacuation plan shall be
available for inspection by the resident and/or responsible party upon request.
The emergency and disaster evacuation plan shall be reviewed and updated
annually, as appropriate. Staff members shall rehearse the emergency and
disaster evacuation plan at least annually and shall not require resident
participation.
B. The emergency and
disaster evacuation plan shall include, but not be limited to,:
1. A sheltering plan to include:
a. The licensed bed capacity and average
occupancy rate;
b. Name, address,
and phone number of the sheltering facility(ies) to which the residents will be
relocated during a disaster;
c. A
letter of agreement signed by an authorized healthcare representative of each
sheltering facility which shall include: the number of relocated residents that
can be accommodated; sleeping, feeding, and medication plans for the relocated
residents; and provisions for accommodating relocated staff members. The letter
shall be updated with the sheltering facility at least every three (3) years
and whenever significant changes occur. For those facilities located in
Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Horry, Jasper, and Georgetown counties, at
least one (1) sheltering facility shall be located in a county other than these
counties; and
d. Maximum duration
of time the sheltering facility will be used for a single emergency or disaster
incident.
2. A
transportation plan, to include agreements with entities for relocating
residents, which addresses:
a. Number and type
of vehicles required;
b. How and
when the vehicles are to be obtained;
c. Who, by name or organization, will provide
drivers;
d. Procedures for
providing appropriate medical support, food, water, and medications during
transportation and relocation based on the needs and number of the
residents;
e. Estimated time to
accomplish the relocation; and
f.
Primary and secondary routes to be taken to the sheltering facility.
3. A staffing plan for the
relocated residents, to include:
a. How care
will be provided to the relocated residents, including the number and type of
staff members that will accompany residents who are relocated;
b. Prearranged transportation arrangements to
ensure staff members are relocated to the sheltering facility; and
c. Cosigned statement by an authorized
representative of the sheltering facility if staffing is to be provided by the
sheltering facility.
