The document outlines an emergency disaster plan for a healthcare agency. It includes: 1) Classifying emergencies into Level 1-3 based on priority, with Level 1 being the highest priority consumers who require uninterrupted services. 2) Guidelines for declaring an emergency, with the Administrator notifying staff and having them contact consumers by priority to assess needs. 3) Responsibilities of the Administrator in activating and implementing the plan, including maintaining contact lists and coordinating personnel. 4) Procedures for responding to different emergency types like natural disasters, community emergencies, and work stoppages. The plan aims to ensure the health needs of consumers are met during emergencies.

1. Emergency-Disaster Training

2. Emergency-Disaster Plan
Purpose: To provide an orderly procedure that can be implemented in
an emergency to assure that the health care needs of consumers are
met.
• All employees should be oriented to the plan and their responsibilities
• Possible emergency or risk factors for each consumer will be identified
and appropriate emergency plans discussed with the consumer at time
of admission
• Name and phone number of emergency contact provided to consumer

3. Classification of Emergencies
• If an emergency occurs, either within the Agency causing staffing
limitation (such as labor disputes or staff illness) or within the
environment (such as floods, blizzards, hurricanes, fires or other
natural disasters), the Director of Clinical Services or his/her designee
will be responsible to review and prioritize consumers according to
the following classifications: Level 1 through Level 3

4. Level 1
• Home visit within 24 hours
• High priority
• Require uninterrupted services
• Condition unstable, may deteriorate or require inpatient admission if
not seen

5. Level 1 Priority
• Those consumers with a “Level 1" designation shall be the first
priority.
• The Administrator will immediately arrange with staff, the police,
and/or fire department to dispatch assistance as soon as possible to
these consumers.

6. Level 2
• Home visit within 48-72 hours
• Moderate priority
• Caregiver available to provide basic care
• May postpone visit if telephone contact made
• Condition somewhat unstable, but could be postponed without harm
to patient

7. Level 3
• Home visit can be deferred longer than 72 hours
• Low priority
• Condition stable with access to informal resources for help
• Can safely miss a scheduled visit with basic care provided by family
or informal support

8. Declaration of an Emergency
• The Administrator shall contact all office staff to declare the emergency
and have them contact their designated field staff.
• Staff safety is a primary concern.
• Staff will not be asked to jeopardize their safety if the situation becomes
potentially dangerous.
• If the situation becomes potentially dangerous for staff, the authorities will
be notified and, if necessary an ambulance will be called for the consumer.
All case managers/coordinators will contact their consumers by priority to
determine their status then report consumer needs to the Administrator.

9. Administrator Responsibilities
The Administrator or designee is responsible for the following:
• Arranging for the orientation and periodic in-service for all staff to their respective
responsibilities.
• Contacting the Civil Defense Department to inform them of the Agency's plan, if indicated.
• Receiving communication regarding a disaster and disseminating same.
• Activating, implementing and discontinuing the plan.
• Developing an information/notification plan·
• Coordinating the activity of all key personnel and staff.
• Maintaining a list of all active employees and their home phone numbers
• Maintaining a list of all active consumers and their phone numbers.
• Notifying the telephone answering service of implementation of the emergency plan.
• Ensuring staff safety.

10. The Administrator
shall be responsible for declaring that the plan is to go into
effect.

11. Agency Responsibilities
The Agency will be available to assist with triage, transportation,
staffing, home care, and follow-up. The Emergency/Disaster Plan may
be evoked for the following:
• Natural Disaster -blizzards, floods, wildfires, etc.
• Civil Defense Disaster -war, poisonous gas, nuclear accident, bio-
terrorism.
• Community Emergency -strike, transportation accident, black-out,
etc.

12. Disaster Information
We are constantly aware of the potential of an earthquake/ flash
floods/tornado/blizzards and other disasters creating damage and
creating dangerous conditions. We need to properly prepare so that a
disaster of any type will not cause greater personal damage than
necessary.

13. During the Disaster:
• STAY CALM!
• Inside: Stand in an internal hallway or crouch under a desk or table,
away from windows or glass dividers
• Outside: Stand away from buildings, trees, telephone and electric
lines
• On the road: Be aware of road conditions and do not take risks.

14. After the Disaster
• Check for injuries - provide first aid
• Check for safety - check for gas, water, sewage breaks, downed electric lines and shorts;
turn off appropriate utilities; check for building damage and potential safety problems
• Aftershocks from an earthquake or storm resurgence can cause cracks around the
chimney, foundation, stairs
• Clean up dangerous spills
• Wear shoes
• Turn on radio and listen for instructions on travel and safety instructions
• Don't use the telephone except for emergency use

15. Inclement Weather
• All administrative and supervisory staff is expected to contact the
Administrator directly for instructions regarding operations and
consumer care.
• All employees are expected to call the answering service regarding
the opening of the Agency.
• All office staff who can report is expected to do so.

16. Inclement Weather Prior to Office
Opening
• If inclement weather conditions exist prior to the office opening, the
Administrator will advise the answering service, at least one hour
before the office opens if possible if the office will be open, closed, or
the opening delayed.
• If the office is open, all staff is expected to report to work unless
otherwise directed by their supervisor.
• If the employee chooses not to report to work, the supervisor must be
notified in order that consumer visits may be arranged. The employee
may utilize annual leave for the missed time.
• Absences without proper notice will not be paid.

17. Inclement Weather During the Workday
• If inclement weather develops during the work day the Administrator
will make a decision regarding closing the Agency early.
• Staff in the field is expected to call their supervisor for further
instructions. According to the disaster plan, high risk consumers will
be notified of the emergency situation to arrange for
supervision/care of consumers.
• Instructions or assistance may be provided with transportation to
hospitals or shelters.

18. Interruption of Public Transportation
• Staff members who use public transportation will be instructed to
arrange for assistance from relatives or friends or carpool to
consumer's homes if possible.
• At the discretion of the Administrator, staff may be assisted with
transportation by supervisors, taxi, and/or state police to high risk
consumers.
• Consumers who rely on public transportation will be assisted by the
Agency with alternate arrangements.
• State and local police, emergency medical services and fire
departments will be notified to assist with emergency services to meet
consumer's needs.

19. Work Stoppage
• In the event of a work stoppage by Agency staff, consumers will be
contacted by a supervisor and appropriate arrangements will be
made for service, i.e., family/friends, local hospitals, and other home
care providers.
• The Agency will immediately implement efforts to recruit new
employees to meet staffing needs, and the Administrator will begin
negotiations to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
• If a work stoppage occurs at a facility resulting in increased referrals
and demands for service, the Administrator will immediately contact
the facility to identify how the Agency can assist during the crisis

20. The Administrator
shall declare when the emergency/disaster plan is
discontinued.