Two major fires at senior living facilities on July 13 resulted in multiple deaths, hospitalizations, and displacement of facility residents in Massachusetts and North Carolina.
A nighttime fire in Fall River, Massachusetts, claimed the lives of nine residents at an assisted living facility, with one additional resident in critical condition. The Fall River Fire Department responded to the fire at approximately 9:50 p.m. and found heavy smoke and flames at the front of the building, with multiple occupants trapped inside. Firefighters immediately entered the building, rescuing numerous residents while working to suppress the fire.
The incident escalated to five alarms, bringing approximately 50 firefighters to the scene, including around 30 who were off duty at the time. Fire crews encountered obstacles during rescue operations, including window air conditioning units that limited access to resident rooms and required alternative rescue methods through smaller windows.
More than 30 residents were transported to area hospitals with varying injuries. Five firefighters were also treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Following the fire, local pharmacies were contacted to replace daily medications lost in the blaze, as many residents required ongoing prescriptions. Approximately 70 individuals lived at the facility before the fire.
Earlier the same day, a separate fire occurred at a nursing home in North Carolina. Firefighters and staff evacuated 92 people from the facility. Twenty residents and one family member were transported to a nearby hospital, although only three required hospitalization for fire-related injuries. Seventy-one residents were temporarily relocated to a local education center. The building sustained extensive fire and water damage and will not be usable in the near future.
Compliance Perspective
Issue
Facility staff must be thoroughly familiar with life safety and emergency preparedness requirements. Facility leaders are responsible for reviewing the Emergency Preparedness Plan and Life Safety Code provisions to ensure staff awareness and compliance. The Emergency Preparedness Plan should be reviewed regularly and implemented promptly in the event of an emergency. A comprehensive plan must address fire emergencies and include detailed procedures for total facility evacuation, transportation of essential equipment, secure handling of medications and medical records, and more. For detailed guidance, refer to the CMS State Operations Manual, Appendix Z, available here.
Discussion Points
- Regularly review your Emergency Preparedness Plan and update it as needed. Ensure your facility meets the most current Life Safety Code requirements. Make the plan readily accessible to all staff so they can follow the appropriate guidelines during an emergency.
- Train all staff on the Emergency Preparedness Plan. Conduct drills for various disaster scenarios to ensure staff understand their roles and responsibilities. The facility maintenance director should be knowledgeable about current Life Safety Codes and receive training as necessary.
- Periodically conduct environmental audits to ensure compliance with Life Safety Codes. Audit staff understanding of their roles for each type of emergency as outlined in the Emergency Preparedness Plan. Maintain thorough documentation of all drills, including staff participation and outcomes. Ensure records are available for surveyors and that your facility participates in at least one annual area-wide drill with local emergency response teams.
*This news alert has been prepared by Med-Net Concepts, Inc. for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.*