Fire in Ohio Nursing Home Displaces Dozens of Residents
After a fire started in an electrical panel of the Ohio nursing home’s kitchen, it quickly reached the attic and spread from there. Automated alarms notified firefighters of the fire at 7:48 a.m., and by the time several crews of firefighters reached the facility, the staff were already evacuating the 73 residents.
Although firefighters were still battling the blaze an hour later, it only took them 10-15 minutes to get the fire under control. The facility’s emergency fire evacuation plan went very smoothly—especially with the benefit of having the full day-shift staff to carry out the plan. Only one resident was hospitalized as a precautionary measure, and there were no injuries reported.
Residents were transported to a nearby church after the fire was out, and families of the residents in the facility were quick to show up and check on the residents.
The facility had recently gone through an inspection earlier this year and had addressed minor issues that were found in that inspection. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire in the building that has been in use for almost 30 years.
Officials are working to find interim housing and food options for the displaced residents.
Compliance Perspective
Failure to have an Emergency Preparedness Plan with a fire evacuation protocol that has been tested and demonstrated to be effective may be deemed a breach of residents’ rights and considered provision of sub-standard quality of care in violation of state and federal requirements.
Discussion Points:
- Review Policies and procedures regarding the adequacy of the facility’s Emergency Preparedness Plan to address a potential fire emergency and evacuation of residents.
- Train staff on the Emergency Preparedness Plan and the implementation of protocols for responding to fire emergencies and evacuation of residents.
- Periodically audit the staff’s ability to effectively carry out emergency protocols in response to fire and the evacuation of residents by having mock drills.
