7.01 ICF Fire Safety Emergency Response/ Person In-Charge

PERSON IN-CHARGE IN EMERGENCIES

All Open Door locations prioritize the health and safety of those we support and our employees. During any emergency situation, the Executive Director is in charge and will direct Crisis Response Team with proper actions and procedures. In the absence of the Executive Director, the Director of Services or Director of Operational Supports will be designated as in-charge. The Incident Hotline is the first point of contact for emergencies and the personnel with this phone will immediately notify executive staff of the emergency.

Fire Alarm System (ICF Locations)

Park West- is equipped with continual monitoring fire system which is installed to provide effective warning of any fire/smoke in any part of the facility. The automatic wet sprinkler system, smoke detectors, damper detectors are equipped to automatically activate the fire alarm system which is connected automatically to transmit an alarm to summon local fire department. This alarm system is tested internally monthly and during any fire drill. Fire alarm pull stations are located near each main exit and are accessible and visible. Portable Fire Extinguishers are provided and maintained in accordance with NFPA 10 including all required checks. The sprinkler pressure system, sensitivity testing, pipe inspections, alarm system, emergency lighting, outlets, fire doors, smoke, damper, and heating detectors are inspected per regulation and serviced as needed by contractors.

Johnstown-is equipped with smoke detectors, monitored fire system, and heat sensors in attic. The alarm system is set to automatically transmit alarm to local fire department. The alarm system is tested monthly and during drills. Fire extinguisher provided and maintained. The fire, smoke detectors, emergency lights, heat sensor systems are inspected per regulations. Due to prompt e-score, this location does not have sprinkler system at this time.

Derrer Road- is equipped with continual monitoring fire system which is installed to provide effective warning of any fire/smoke in any part of the facility. The automatic wet sprinkler system, smoke detectors, dampers are equipped to automatically activate the fire alarm system which is connected automatically to transmit an alarm to summon local fire department. This alarm system is tested internally monthly and during any fire drill. Fire alarm pull stations are located near each main exit and are accessible and visible. Portable Fire Extinguishers are provided and maintained in accordance with NFPA 10 including all required checks. The sprinkler pressure system, sensitivity testing, pipe inspections, alarm system, emergency lighting, outlets, doors, smoke, damper, and heating detectors are inspected per regulation and serviced as needed by contractors.

Staff Training

A. Facility staff trained in Fire and Emergency Response during orientation and annually thereafter.

B. Each individual receives an initial training within 30 days of admission to ICF location and then at least annually thereafter.

C. Documentation of training completion will be kept in Life Safety books, staff meetings, and personnel files.

Fire Drills

Each ICF location is required to keep records of fire drills in the life safety book. A fire drill will be practiced and documented at least quarterly for each shift of personnel in each apartment and under varied conditions and different exits. These drill forms will be completed immediately after drill and submitted to Executive Director.

A. When alarm is heard, staff will prompt individuals to calmly evacuate to the nearest exit. (Staff should reassure all individuals and visitors with nature of alarm, location, specific instructions for action). For drills, staff will use alternate communication methods such as signing “fire” to individuals with hearing loss or physically assist those with visual impairments.

B. All individuals and staff shall meet at designated evacuation site:
Park West A-Building evacuates to B2

Park West B-Building evacuates to A3

Park West C-Building and admin office evacuates to B3

Johnstown- evacuates to back yard or driveway

Derrer- evacuates to back parking lot or front yard

C. A head count/role call of all individuals and staff shoudl be taken upon evacuation and after arrival to safe place

D. Stay at designated place until released by whomever is in-charge of running the drill.

Alternate designated safe spaces

If unforeseen circumstances prevent evacuation to designated spaces, staff and individuals will be directed to alternate safe spaces at the time of drill.

Other safety measures

During evacuation process, ONLY WHENEVER POSSIBLE, close bedroom doors behind you, take keys with you, and unlock door when exiting apartment to give fire department unlocked access.

If problems or concerns occur during drill or if any individual refuses or delays evacuation, an incident report should be written detailing the concerns. The incident report will be forwarded to team for follow-up in next connections meeting and follow-up will be forwarded to Director for life safety book.

FIRE EMERGENCY RESPONSE:

1. R.A.C.E (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish)- When any one spots a fire, sees or smells smoke, etc. all individuals and staff need to be warned and rescued from immediate fire area. The alarm pull box by exits should be pulled immediately. The alarm with sound and fire doors will close automatically.
2. ALARM- when alarm is heard, Staff shall prompt all individuals to calmly exit through nearest exit to the designated safe spaces as listed above. A head count of all individual and staff should be taken upon evacuation to safe space
3. BACK UP CALL- make a back up call to fire department when all safe
4. Stay at designated space until released by fire department.
5. IF THE FIRE IS SMALL ENOUGH AND ONLY IF MULTIPLE STAFF WORKING, one person may attempt to contain the fire by closing the door to that room which contains the fire/smoke in the room and slows spreading to others and will make the sprinkler system activate sooner as it is heat sensitive and activates when temperature reaches set level.
6. DO NOT LEAVE INDIVIDUALS UNATTENDED-MAKE SURE THEY ARE ALL OUT OF BUILDING BEFORE TRYING TO CONTAIN
7. If rescue, alarm, contain procedures have been folllowed adn fire department not arrived, try to extinguish small fires only by using fire extinguisher, smothering it, or pouring water (if not grease or electrical fire).
8. If fire cannot be extinguished, leave area and close door. WHEN NOT TO TRY TO EXTINGUISH: When fire spreading beyond starting point, if large, if could block escape route, and if unsure how to use fire extinguisher.

FIRE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND PREVENTION:

Cooking:

1. Do not leave anything cooking on stove unattended
2. Always use stove overhead vent when cooking
3. Slowly take lids off pans and open over door slowly
4. Monitor items while using toaster
5. Instead of frying foods, encourage baking of foods
6. When baking, track cooking time, check and keep alarm for time
7. Appliances- keep unplugged when not in use
8. Before turning on oven, check to ensure nothing inside
9. Do not wear loose fitting clothing when cooking
10. Do not place plastics in dishwasher
11. If fire alarm sounds while cooking, TURN STOVE/OVEN OFF before leaving location, if possible

Smoking:

1. All employees are not permitted to smoke on premises of any Open Door location. They may only smoke in their car or outside of the facility. Staff are not permitted to leave individuals unattended to go out to smoke. This includes vapes or other alternative smoking devices.
2. Individuals residing at location may smoke outside in designated areas only and must dispose of butts in approved fire-safe containers only.

Preventatives:

1. Hallways are not to be used for storage of large items- must have eggress
2. Trash is to be stored in cans only and taken to dumpster
3. Doors should never be blocked
4. Do not place anything on top of lightbulbs.
5. Candles are not permitted
6. Extension cords are not permitted
7. Dryer lint filters should be cleaned after each use
8. Dryer vents are routinely cleaned by maintenance staff
9. Preventative maintenance schedule is maintained-see policy in 8.00 series for detailed list meeting all life safety requirements.

Last Revised: 3/23/23