Imagine this scenario: The authorities have just announced that a major tsunami will hit your town in less than an hour. Alarms are blaring and people are rushing to higher ground while clutching their possessions. Everything seems to be under control. But what about the nearby retirement community? Do the residents know where to evacuate? Without proper preparation, chances are they wouldn’t know what to do. Find out how an Assisted Living community in Mauldin, SC prepares for emergency situations.
Stocking Up on Emergency Supplies
Just like preparing a fallout shelter, the Assisted Living community in Mauldin have stocked up on various emergency supplies to respond to all sorts of calamities. Fire extinguishers, flashlights, personal protective equipment, food and water are just some of the items kept under lock and key in preparation for any catastrophe that may occur in the area. With forest fires, pandemics and extreme weather events on the rise, you never know what could happen. It’s best to have supplies stored for all kinds of situations.
Having a Chain of Command
In times of disaster, it’s important for someone to step up and take charge of the situation to keep everything in order. With a well-established chain of command, team members in the Assisted Living community will know what to do and by following emergency procedures, they can guide residents toward safety in a coordinated and controlled manner.
Having Safety and Security Measures
It’s without a doubt that terrorism and firearm-related violence are pressing issues on the rise that our society currently faces. That is why securing your compound to keep out unwanted intruders and having constant surveillance to ensure the safety of your residents is crucial in preparing for any unwanted situations. By having safety and security measures in place, such as emergency alert systems. Assisted Living communities can ensure that they are prepared for emergencies.
Planning for Different Emergency Situations
There is no one-size-fits-all emergency procedure. With a variety of situations that could present at any time, it is essential for retirement communities to plan for different emergency scenarios that may occur. For example, a fire drill may not necessarily work for a lone gunman attack.
In Assisted Living communities, team members are trained to respond to different circumstances including bomb threats, bio-terrorism and flash floods. At the same time, regular emergency drills are conducted to prepare the residents and team members.
Preparing for Emergency Communication
During natural disasters, it’s more than likely that power lines will be disabled and most primary means of communication will be lost. It’s a wise idea to always have auxiliary methods of communicating with the authorities, healthcare services and families of residents. Hence, Assisted Living communities are well-prepared with satellite phones, radio sets and emergency generators, among other pieces of equipment.
Maintaining Clean and Organized Living Spaces for Emergencies
The last thing you need during an evacuation or shelter-in-place is a cluttered and untidy living space that will increase panic and stress for both team members and residents. To avoid this, common areas and amenities in retirement communities are well-maintained and clean so that in the event of an emergency, team members and residents can move around easily without the risk of getting hurt.
