S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-13.1400.1401

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

Section 61-13.1400.1401 - Disaster Preparedness (II)

A. All facilities shall develop, by contact and consultation with their county emergency preparedness agency, a suitable written plan for actions to be taken in the event of a disaster and/or emergency evacuation. In the event of mass casualties, the facility shall provide resources as available. The facility shall update its plan annually or as needed, and shall rehearse it at least annually. The facility shall maintain a record of the rehearsal, including its date and time, a summary of actions and recommendations, and the names of the participants.

B. The disaster and emergency evacuation plan shall include, but not be limited to:

1. A sheltering plan to include:

a. Facility occupancy at the time of the disaster;

b. Name, address, and phone number of the sheltering facility or facilities to which the clients will be relocated during a disaster; and

c. A letter of agreement signed by an authorized representative of each sheltering facility which shall include: the number of relocated clients that can be accommodated; sleeping, feeding, and medication plans for the relocated clients; and provisions for accommodating relocated staff members and volunteers. The letter shall be updated with the sheltering facility at least every three (3) years and whenever significant changes occur. For those facilities located in Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Horry, Jasper, and Georgetown counties, at least one (1) sheltering facility shall be located in a county other than these counties.

2. A transportation plan, to include agreements with entities for relocating clients, which addresses:

a. The relocation needs of the clients and staff contingent upon the type of disaster or emergency confronted;

b. Procedures for providing appropriate medical support, food, water, and medications during relocation based on the needs and number of the clients; and

c. Estimated time to accomplish the relocation during normal conditions; and

d. Primary and secondary routes to be taken to the sheltering facility.

3. A staffing plan for the relocated clients, to include:

a. How care will be provided to the relocated clients, including licensed and nonlicensed staff members that will meet the staffing requirements of Section 604 for clients who are relocated;

b. Prearranged transportation arrangements to ensure staff members are relocated to the sheltering facility; and

c. A co-signed statement by an authorized representative of the sheltering facility if staffing, bedding, or medical supplies are to be provided by the sheltering facility.

C. In instances where there are proposed changes in licensed bed capacity, the disaster or emergency evacuation plan shall be updated to reflect the new licensed bed capacity and submitted to the Department along with the application for bed capacity change.

D. Only those facilities located in the coastal counties of Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Horry, Jasper, or Georgetown may request exemption from an emergency evacuation order.

1. Facilities in the above counties may elect to seek an exemption from having to evacuate the facility in the event the Governor issues a Mandatory Evacuation Order for an impending hurricane. Facilities located in these counties may request an exemption from an emergency evacuation order if the facility has previously submitted the following to the Department:

a. A Critical Data Sheet, updated annually, that certifies emergency power supply is available for a minimum of seventy-two (72) hours, a seventy-two (72) hour supply of food, water, and medical supplies is on site, and that adequate staff will be available and on duty to provide continual care for the clients;

b. A copy of the engineer's report concerning the wind load the facility should withstand; and

c. A current approved evacuation plan prior to a declared emergency.

2. Once the prerequisites are met and an emergency has been declared, the facility shall draw down the census of the facility and then contact the Department to request an exemption from the evacuation order.

3. A facility shall comply with the mandatory evacuation order unless an exemption from evacuation of the facility for a specific storm has been received from the Department.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-13.1400.1401

Added by State Register Volume 40, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/27/2016.