Emergency Preparedness Plan for Homeless Shelters

Emergency Preparedness Plan

• The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must be aware of the content of the emergency preparedness plan.
• Emergency Preparedness Plan Content:
  • This plan is required by the Fire Code, Rules and Fire Department Policy.
  • The shelter owner and employees must cooperate in the development and coordination of the emergency preparedness plan.
  • It should be prepared and accepted prior to occupancy of the building.
  • The plan must include, but is not limited to, the following:
    • The designation of the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters, by name, certificate number, and position at the premises.
    • The designation of other FEP staff, by name and/or position at the premises, and their certificate of fitness numbers.
    • The name and address of the shelter, the floors normally occupied, the approximate number of employees and the hours of operation.
    • A site plan, floor plan, and riser diagram.
    • A building information card for high-rise buildings and occupancies.
    • The location of all entrances and exits (including emergency exits and fire escapes) and where they exit to (which street or other location).
    • The procedure for evacuation or in-building relocation of occupants during an emergency.
    • Details regarding voice communication capability and fire protection systems.
    • The procedure to report a fire or other emergency to the FDNY and the staff member(s) responsible for the reporting.
    • The procedure for notifying building occupants of a fire or other emergency, and the staff member(s) responsible for the notification.

Emergency Drills

• Drills and other forms of emergency preparedness education are required in homeless shelters to enhance the fire and non-fire emergency preparedness of all building occupants, including clients and staff.
• Drills are intended to familiarize building occupants with the proper actions to take in the event of a fire or other emergency, and the primary and secondary evacuation and in-building relocation routes.
• Drills must be conducted in accordance with the Fire Code, the FDNY rules and the emergency preparedness plan approved by the FDNY.
• Drills should be in the form of live instruction, except as otherwise authorized by the FDNY.
• Procedures should be established to ensure that all persons in the building participate.
• Ideally, drills should be unscheduled, and shelter employees and clients should not know the time of day they take place.
• Drills should be conducted at varying times of day with enough frequency to familiarize all building occupants with the drill procedure.
• Actual fires and emergencies are always unexpected – any fire alarm activation that is not planned, or preceded by an announcement, must be treated as an actual fire condition.
• Drills should not be considered routine exercises.
• There is a potential risk, if drills are considered routine, that an evacuation or relocation in an actual emergency will not be successful.
• Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should have a plan in place for the rare situation in which an actual fire or non-fire emergency occurs during a drill.
• Drills should include a discussion of a variety of possible emergency situations.

This quiz covers the essential components of an emergency preparedness plan specifically designed for homeless shelters. It is crucial for all staff, particularly the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems, to understand the regulations and requirements put forth by the Fire Code and Department. Test your knowledge on the necessary elements included in such a plan.