Governor Signs CALA-Sponsored Emergency Preparedness Bill

A measure designed to boost emergency preparedness for assisted living communities was recently signed by California Governor Brown and will take effect January 1, 2019. The measure will require: * Initial and annual training on emergency preparedness plan for all staff * Drills, at least quarterly, under varied emergency situations, for each shift * Annual plan review and updates as needed * Evacuation chairs for multistory buildings (effective July 1, 2019) * Identification of two evacuation sites with one being outside the immediate area * Procedures for confirming location of residents * Staff access to resident information and vehicle and facility keys * Designated assembly point(s) for use during an evacuation * Identification of utility shut-off locations * Location and operation of generators, if used * Communicating with the Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) during an emergency * Two methods of communicating during an emergency, and resident/family awareness of those methods * Staff knowledge of their role during an emergency * Encouraging residents to participate in drills Click here for more details.