The ARC-Taft

Disaster and Mass Casualty plan

 

Policy for During The ARC hours

05/08/20

Before the disaster:

ALL OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE SHOULD HAVE A PLAN TO EVACUATE THEIR HOME IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

·        Know where to shut off the water, power, gas, and know where to find the tools needed to shut them off.

·        You know how we have practiced and know the escape routes and meeting places.

·        You have practiced the evacuation drill with the people we serve during program.

·        You know where the disaster kit is with (flashlight, batteries, extra medication, food and water for 3 days) is located.

·        You know where the first aid kit is located.

·        Know how to use a fire extinguisher and where they are located.

·        Ice chest and ice (having water bottles in the freezer will work too) so that their food or medication stay fresh. Note that food stays cool in the refrigerator for up to 4hrs. after that you might want to transfer it over to the ice chest.

 

What if we are at The ARC and there is a power outage?

If we are at The ARC and there is a power outage if it is during the summer and it is over 100 degrees, the people we support will be taken home.

If the power outage is during the cooler months?

Manager on site will decide if the people we support should be taken home. 

What if there is an earthquake and we are at The ARC?

If we are at The ARC and there is an earthquake staff has specific duties to do for the safety of staff and the people we serve, and the duties are as follow:

Mary Ann or Kristen will grab the attendance list and the sign out list.

Danielle or Sara will grab the first aid kit and tool box to turn off utilities if it is a major emergency.

Maria or Maranda will grab Jeff in wheelchair if present.

Jeanette or Danielle will grab Erin in wheelchair if present.

Maranda or Jeanette will let the workers outside know there is an emergency. Also, will double check that there is no one left in the building. Outside workers work from 8a.m.-10a.m. Avoid going through the building with them if possible, use the side gate or alley way to assist them in evacuating the building.

Sara and DTAC AIDES will assist clients on exiting the building safely.

Kristen or Maria will guide all of the people we serve on a bus (both of the busses will be driven to the end of the  Albertsons parking lot the empty dirt lot address is Address: 1044 W Kern St, Taft, CA 93268).

It is the first person’s job to do what is listed, but the second person is in charged in case the person first person is absent

*** Busses will be driven to the end of the Albertsons parking lot the dirt lot.  this only applies if it is too dangerous and unsafe for Staff and clients to re-enter the building. ***In an event of a major emergency all of our utilities must be shut-off. All of our shut-offs for the building utilities are outside and marked in red.

In the event of a disaster emergency, the Executive Director shall be in charge of the staff and the people we serve. If the Excutative Director were not available, the Program Manager would be in charge. At the absence of the  afore mentioned, the Administration Assistant or the Security person would take control of the situation. Staff on duty would follow instructions. If no one in management is present at the time of the emergency, the staff person available with the most seniority would then be in charge.


Means of exiting: ARC-Taft has four exits. These are located in the front and back of the building and two are on the north side. In case of an emergency, the people we serve and staff shall exit the building at the closest safe exit. This shall be done in a quick and orderly fashion. Person in charge at the time of the incident shall be sure all of the people we serve have safely exited the building.

The Transportation Coordinator will need to be notified, if necessary, and the individuals we support will be transported home if at all possible. If it is not possible to return to their homes and it is not safe to stay at The ARC, would be transported to the end of the Albertsons parking lot. The empty dirt lot address is Address: 1044 W Kern St, Taft, CA 93268. Staff will stay with the people we serve until everyone have can be safely returned to the building or to their homes; whichever is appropriate. If it is a major emergency and neither are appropriate then both busses will be driven to the nearest American Red Cross shelter available(the shelter may not be set up until three days from the mayor disaster), staff will listen to the news or the radio to find out where is the nearest location to us. Management will be notified that the individuals we support and staff are safe at their destination. The person in charge of the situation will also stay outside of the building to communicate with whichever assistance that would be in their way, while busses may be driven to a safe location.

ARC- Taft staff may also call 911 if an emergency warrants. Calls to 911 shall not be made in case of an earthquake. Phone numbers that may be accessed are as follows Sheriff (661)763-1532 and Fire: (661)765-2155.

*****First Aid supplies, crescent wrench, medication information binder, radio, and flashlight are located inside the medication room in a RED BAG marked “Emergency Bag”.

***In an event of a major emergency all of our utilities must be shut-off. All of our shut-offs for the building utilities are outside and marked in red.

A disaster kit is located in the front hallway of the building. Our water is kept in the soda room located in the activity room.  It is the responsibility of the Security and the Program Manager to ensure the availability of these items.

Disaster Drills shall be conducted at least every six months. The drills shall be documented by the Security and maintained in the facility for at least one year. Fire (evacuations) and earthquake (duck, cover, and hold on) drills shall be done on a regular basis and documented by the Security. 

 

 

What if there is a flood?

If you are serving at The ARC and there is a flood it is your responsibility assist the supervisor and investigate how the flood happened. The supervisor will call the West Kern Water District (661) 763-3151 to find out if they can assist the situation or if the supervisor or administrator needs to call pluming. If there is a major flood and it is unsafe to be in the building, all of the staff on site are to assist the people we serve to evacuate the building safely. This decision will be made by the director, administrator, manager, or site supervisor.

What if there is a natural disaster?

A natural disaster can be a hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought, or, regardless of cause, fire, flood, or explosion,

If you are working DTAC and there is a natural disaster, your priority is to make sure that the people we serve are secure and safe (know where food/water, medication, flashlight, trash, and restroom are). You are to assist the individuals to stay calm during any natural disaster. The Director will see to the severity of the disaster and may suggest it is safe to take the people we serve home. If this is not safe for the people we serve then all staff on site will take the people we serve to the nearest American Red Cross located at 5035 Gilmore Ave Bakersfield, CA 93308 (661) 324-6427 for shelter.

Some of the questions I asked to the American Red Cross in Bakersfield

Where can we find information on a shelter in case of an emergency? The news media and the radio.

How long can the people we serve stay in the shelter? Until your home is livable and everything is brought under control.

Would you have medication if the people we serve need it? No, but we do have resources to assist you. 

How prepared is The American Red Cross for a disaster? The Red Cross is prepared 100% to provide shelter in case of a disaster.

How many people fit in a shelter will there be space for the staff and the people we serve (about 60 people)? Yes if, your location requires shelter everyone fits in the shelter, The Red Cross makes sure to be prepared for the emergency situation.

 

What if The ARC smells like Gas?

If The ARC smells like gas you need to investigate and try to solve the problem, if you have checked the stove and nothing is noticeable, then evacuate the building with all of the people we serve and everyone else in the building DO NOT LET ANYONE IN THE BUILDING UNTIL IT HAS BEEN CHECKED BY PG&E. The supervisor on site will call PG&E customer service: 1 (800) 743-5000 and find out how long they will take to get there and where it is safe to wait until a PG&E representative arrives. The PG&E representative will let you know when it is safe to return in the building.

What if the Carbon Monoxide Detector goes off?

Carbon monoxide, also known as the silent killer, is an odorless and colorless gas produced by stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, as well as gas ranges and heating systems. Many people mistake the symptoms of CO poisoning for coming down with the flu.

The symptoms of carbon monoxide include:

  • Headache

  • Nausea

  • Dizziness

  • Vomiting

  • Confusion

It’s safe to say that most people are more familiar with the sound of their smoke detector or fire alarm then with the sound of their carbon monoxide detector beeping. For this reason, it is important to know that when your carbon monoxide detector goes off it will sound like intermittent beeping. The sound will be much like the one your smoke detector makes when the battery needs to be changed. When this alarm sounds (intermittent beeps) it means this gas has been leaking unbeknownst to you and it has reached a dangerous level.

1.     Alert supervisor on site about the carbon monoxide detector going off.

2.     Assist in evacuating all of the people we serve and all of the staff. (both of the busses will be driven to the end of the  Albertsons parking lot the empty dirt lot the Address is : 1044 W Kern St, Taft, CA 93268).

3.     Supervisor on site will call PG&E customer service: 1 (800) 743-5000for assistance on checking the carbon monoxide levels in building.

4.     NO ONE IS ALLOWED IN THE BUILDING AT THIS TIME, UNTIL THE BUILDING HAS BEEN CHECKED.  Signs of DO NOT ENTER will be posted on doors. Administrator will send an email to all staff warning them about the current building hazard. 

What if the Smoke Alarm goes off?

The smoke alarm can go off for many reasons, but If you know that something is burning inside or outside The ARC-Taft you need to evacuate the building with the people we serve. The supervisor on site will be responsible to call 911 immediately. All of the staff is to stay with the people we serve until the fire or hazard has been resolved. (both of the busses will be driven to the end of the  Albertsons parking lot the empty dirt lot the  Address is: 1044 W Kern St, Taft, CA 93268).

 

What if there is a gas leak?

If there is a gas leak and you are with an individual at home you are to stay indoor with your individual until the gas leak is clear.

What if there is a virus? Like the Coronavirus?

If you have symptoms of the flu STAY HOME. Masks will not work unless you have a specialty mask. Wash your hands, cough/sneeze into the curve of your elbow. Stay tune to local news to be informed on updates and suggestions. The Executive Director will keep everyone informed on what will be done. Check your email and respond to any received as acknowledgement.

 We will follow the guidelines that the California Governor suggest, California Supportive Living Network, and the CDC.