1. notifying staff when emergency-response measures are initiated

2. providing for communication between staff members, and when appropriate,
a backup communication system in the event of a failure

3. identifying resources necessary to continue essential care or services or referrals to other organizations

4. prioritizing and contacting clients who need continued care or services

5. notifying families and/or responsible parties requesting them to be involved

6. supplying pertinent information on emergencies

The Emergency-preparedness plan address:

1. what type of emergencies would justify implementation of the plan

2. what type of emergencies that would result in the evacuation of clients

3. who is responsible for each activity

4. when each activity is initiated and within what time frame

5. how each activity is to be implemented

The agency provides orientation to all office and field staff and annually reviews routine and emergency procedures. The staff shall be able to appropriately demonstrate:

1. when to call the office in the event of an emergency

2. when to remain at home

3. when and how to contact clients in the event of an emergency

4. how to activate the emergency-preparedness plan and each individual's responsibility

5. who to contact to remove a client from a home in case of danger

6. how to access managerial staff after hours in case of an emergency

The agency has a written emergency-disaster preparedness plan designed to provide continuing care or services in the event of an emergency that disrupts client care or services. The plan describes how the agency establishes and maintains an effective response to disasters, weather emergencies, communication failures, blackouts, transportation disruptions, damage to agency's site, and emergencies resulting in interruption of client care and services. Emergency-preparedness includes: