N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:56-4.5

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 23, December 2, 2024

Section 3A:56-4.5 - Emergency evacuation instructions, medical emergencies, fire prevention, first aid, and equipment

(a) The home shall prepare and post on each floor written emergency evacuation instructions that include:

1. A diagram showing how the home is to be evacuated in the event of an emergency; and

2. The location of fire alarms and fire extinguishers.

(b) The home shall maintain the following information near a staff telephone or other accessible area for use in the event of medical emergency;

1. The name, address and telephone number of the physician retained by the home or of the health facility to be used in emergencies;

2. The location of written authorizations from parents for emergency medical care for each child;

3. The procedure for obtaining emergency transportation;

4. The procedure for obtaining substitute or on-call supervision, if needed;

5. The telephone numbers of the local police, fire department, ambulance service and poison control; and

6. The location of the first aid kit and any additional first aid supplies.

(c) The home shall prepare written fire prevention instructions, which delineate that:

1. The home shall conduct fire drills at least once a month, which shall include all staff members and children, and shall inform all staff members and children of the procedures for leaving the building in an emergency situation. Fire drill evacuations shall:

i. Be conducted on all shifts, to include overnight hours; and

ii. Be completed within three minutes. If evacuations are not regularly completed within three minutes, the home or agency shall contact its local fire official for assistance with improving its evacuation time;

2. The home shall maintain on file a record of each fire drill, which shall include:

i. The date and time of day of the drill;

ii. The weather condition at the time of evacuation;

iii. The number of participating children and staff members;

iv. The total amount of time taken to evacuate the home; and

v. The signature of the staff members conducting the drill;

3. All fire extinguishers shall be serviced and tagged at least once a year and recharged, if necessary; and

4. The home shall ensure that all staff members are trained in the use and operation of fire extinguishers.

(d) The following equipment shall be placed in a location that is convenient and accessible to staff members:

1. A standard first aid kit, which is fully restocked within 24 hours of use; and

2. The American Red Cross First Aid Manual or its equivalent.

(e) The home shall prepare written procedures for ensuring children's safety and immediate communication with parents, the Division, and the Office of Licensing in the event of an extended power outage, evacuation, lockdown, natural or civil disaster, or other emergency. The procedures shall indicate the plan for informing parents, the Division, and the Office of Licensing of each child's whereabouts and informing both the Office of Licensing and the local law enforcement agency or emergency management office of the home's identifying information as specified in (e)4 below.

1. The emergency procedures shall be maintained in the home with its location known and accessible to all staff members.

2. The emergency procedures shall delineate criteria for determining whether to evacuate the home or to shelter in place.

3. The emergency procedures shall identify a prioritized list of three possible locations to evacuate to and how to determine another location should the primary, pre-approved locations be unavailable.

4. The home shall ensure that the Office of Licensing, and when appropriate, the local law enforcement agency or emergency management office is notified of:

i. The home's name and location;

ii. The number, ages, and type(s) of children served;

iii. The number of staff;

iv. The need for emergency transportation;

v. The location to which children and staff will be evacuated;

vi. The plan for a lockdown; and

vii. The plan for reuniting children with their parents or other approved provider or entity, when appropriate.

N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:56-4.5

Amended by R.2014 d.103, effective 6/16/2014.
See: 46 N.J.R. 7(a), 46 N.J.R. 1473(b).
Section was "Emergency evacuation instructions, medical emergencies, fire prevention, first aid and equipment". In the introductory paragraph of (c)1, substituted ". Fire drill evacuations shall:" for a semicolon; and added (c)1i, (c)1ii, and (e).