Welcome to Jefferson Regional Medical Center

FIRE RESPONSE PLAN

SECTION 1:  POLICY
To provide fire safety procedures to protect our staff, visitors, employees, patients and facilities.   The protection of our patients, visitors, staff and facilities is of the utmost importance. Please familiarize yourself with the following procedures so you know exactly what your duties are and what to do in the event of fire.

The facility's fire plan applies to any person employed, visiting, or on the facility premise.

SECTION 2:  PROCEDURE
It is imperative that we all know what to do to minimize the danger of a fire and what actions to take in the event of a fire.  No one ever expects a fire.  It is your responsibility to be familiar with the policies and procedures contained within this policy.

A. Fire Response Procedure:
The acronym R.A.C.E. listed below should be followed in the event of a fire / smoke.

R- Rescue person(s) in immediate danger

A- Alarm, Pull the alarm pull station

C- Confine the fire (close the doors)

E- Evacuate person(s) beyond the smoke doors

B.      General Instructions:

1.       Keep calm.  Remember that fear and panic can do as much damage as fire.  Help others to remain calm.  Set an example.  Walk, do not run.  Assist people by keeping them informed about the situation.

2. The first priority is to remove any patient, injured employee or visitor who may be in immediate danger.

3. Pull the nearest alarm pull station and notify others in the immediate area.

4.         If the fire is in your area, after you have removed anyone needing assistance and have pulled the alarm pull station, move all persons beyond the smoke doors.

Remember, help is on the way as soon as you pull the alarm pull station.

Do not place yourself in a dangerous situation with the fire.

5. The Fire Response Team will be there quickly, assist them if requested.

6. Assist by keeping patients and visitors away from the fire area.

7. Clear all corridors and exits of visitors and other personnel.  Instruct people to stay away from the fire / smoke area or out of immediate danger.

8. Fire doors will close automatically.  Other doors will need to be closed immediately.

9. Remember to check restores and lounges, or any area where patients, staff or visitors might be and have them move to a safe place.

10. Assure patients, visitors or others that help is on the way to assist them if necessary.

11.       Wet blankets or wet towels may be placed under closed doors to prevent smoke from entering.  Use towels, wash cloths, etc., to cover your face to help you get through heavy smoke.

12.       When the Fire Response Team arrives at the scene, they will be in control of the incident.  Remember - they have been trained for this duty.  Follow their instructions.

13.       If you leave, let someone know where you are going.  While evacuation of your area may be necessary due to fire or smoke, entire building evacuation will be authorized by the fire chief or administration.  Do not evacuate just because a fire alarm sounds.  Remember in the event of evacuation, everyone needs to be accounted for including you.  Do not cause someone to place themselves in danger because you  didn't follow rules.  Spending valuable time searching for someone who is safe is inexcusable. Let someone know where you are going.

14.        Do not pull fire pull station in your area just because alarm has sounded.  Only pull fire pull stations in area of actual fire or smoke.

15.       Do not go to the announced location unless you are requested to. Only those on the Fire Response Team are required to respond . Crowd control is always a problem and gathering of persons at a fire location will hinder those attempting to control the situation.  You may also place yourself in danger.

16.       (If necessary) Administration will establish a command post and will assign additional duties as required from this command post.  In the event an evacuation is ordered, proceed directly to the command post following established evacuation routes.  Sign in when you arrive and do not leave this area without approval.  Sign out if you leave this area.

17. Do not use the telephones unless authorized for emergencies.  Do not make calls to advise outsiders of the situation.

18. Facility elevator traffic is suspended during a fire alarm.  Elevators can never be considered as acceptable exits.  Do not use elevators during a fire alarm.

19. Complete building evacuation will rarely be necessary and is not the first step of our evacuation plan.

C.       Operator Instructions:

1. Determine the location of the alarm from the fire control panel and notify Security.  Call B & H Electronics and inform them we are checking the validity of the alarm.  Be prepared for additional alarms.  Note the time and location of the alarm on the Alarm/Alert Report form.

2. If Security informs you the alarm is a false alarm immediately notify B & H Electronics and inform them the alarm is false.  This second notification to B &H Electronics must be done within three minutes of the initial call to B & H Electronics.

3.       If Security notifies you of an actual fire, announce “Dr. Red   (location) ”, repeat and then immediately call B & H Electronics and inform them of the fire and its location.  Notify nursing shift supervisor, administration (administrator on call) , safety manager and maintenance manager.

4.         Security will advise when the fire department authorizes the “all clear”. Make the “all clear” announcement, via overhead paging system.

6. Have maintenance/security reset the alarm system.

7.       Forward all incoming calls requesting information to Marketing Department or Administration.

8.        Appropriate switchboard announcements via paging system.

a. When a fire system alarm sounds and you have determined the location:

Speak slowly and clearly (remember to stay calm) repeating 3 times at 5 second intervals  “Your  attention please--Dr. Red____(give location)”.

b. When the fire chief has given the “all clear”, reset system then, Speak slowly and clearly repeating 3 times at 5 second intervals “Your attention please--Dr. Red _____(give location) all clear.  Fire doors may now be reopened”.

c. If an evacuation has been authorized by administration or the fire chief, it is to be communicated directly to affected areas.

D. Fire Response Team

1. Attempt to extinguish fire with nearest extinguisher.  (If you can do so safely).

2. Coordinate with other Team Members upon arrival for a cooperative effort.  Security will have control, until Fire Department arrives.

3. Assist with removing persons form fire area.

4. Evacuate the area personnel to a safe location, if necessary.

5. A member of Security will need to ensure that the sprinkler system is working:

a. Check & Ensure that the sprinkler valve is open.

b. If the sprinkler(s) are working,  but pressure seems low,  go to the boiler room #2 and ensure the fire pump is working.

b1.  If fire pump is not working, turn switch from auto to manual to engage pump.

b2.  If the fire pump will not engage with manual override,  immediately  advise the Fire Department Commander and notify  Maintenance Department.

6. Have other Team Members, to secure elevators, and advise fire location to fire fighters.

7. Coordinate with fire chief upon arrival.

8. Security will make an incident report on all fires.

E.        Review:

1. The Safety & Environment of Care Committee will review / investigate all fires occurring within any facility of Jefferson Regional Medical Center and shall make recommendations for improvement or revisions as necessary.

US Patent Numbers 7,720,998 B2, 7,836,207