Emergency plan rules in Illinois

Each resident must be oriented to the emergency and evacuation plans within 10 days after the resident's arrival. The orientation must be documented, signed and dated by the resident or the resident's representative. This is a move-in workflow obligation, not just a plan section.

The establishment must conduct a tornado drill for employees on each shift during February of each year.

The written disaster plan must address residents' physical and cognitive needs and include special staff response. It must provide for temporary relocation for any disaster requiring it and whenever the temperature in residents' bedrooms falls below 55F, for moving residents to safe locations within the establishment during a tornado warning, and for residents' comfort when the heat index exceeds 80F. It must address power outages and, if the establishment is on a flood plain, include flooding contingencies.

The plan must be amended or revised whenever any resident with unusual needs is admitted, and must include the procedures needed to ensure the safety of any resident.

When a disaster requires hospital service, police, fire department or coroner, the manager or designee must send IDPH a preliminary report through the Assisted Living Complaint Registry, by fax or by electronic means. If the disaster will not require direct Department assistance, the preliminary report is due within 72 hours after the occurrence. A full written account, including the action taken after the preliminary report, is due within seven days after the occurrence.

All personnel employed on the premises must be instructed in the use of fire extinguishers. A diagram of the evacuation route must be posted, and all personnel must be aware of the route.

If the establishment accepts any individuals with cognitive impairments that prevent them from safely evacuating independently, sufficient staff members must be present and awake 24 hours a day to assist in evacuation.

An establishment with an Alzheimer's or dementia program must develop and implement policies and procedures that ensure the continued safety of all residents, including those who may wander and those who may need supervision and assistance when evacuating the building in an emergency.

The establishment must comply with the residential board and care occupancies chapters of NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code: Chapter 32 for new establishments and Chapter 33 for existing establishments. Part 295 incorporates the 2012 edition and not later editions. Local ordinances, fire codes and zoning requirements also apply.