DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VA MARYLAND HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VA MARYLAND HEALTHCARE SYSTEM (VAMHCS) VAMHCS Research Department’s Semi-annual Fire Safety Training Presented By: Emmanuel Mbong, Safety Officer January 6, 2016

This FIRE could have happened in YOUR Lab and destroyed YOUR experiment, YOUR job and YOUR life’s work. 2

OBJECTIVES Participants will be able to describe or demonstrate: * Knowledge of Fire Response Procedures * Individual Roles and Responsibilities during a Fire or Emergency Event * Basic Operation of a Hand Held Fire Extinguisher

l RACE In the event of a fire or suspected fire, staff members will: l Rescue - Patients, Visitor and Staff utilizing smoke and fire barriers. On inpatient wards staff clears halls in preparation for an evacuation. l Alarm - Sound the fire alarm: l Pull stations l Alert staff by saying “Code Red” (on the way to the pull station) l Balt & LR CLRC call ext. 6999; PP ext. 222; CBOCs & LR outlying buildings call 911. Let someone else know as soon as you do!

RACE In the event of a fire or suspected fire, staff members will: l Confine - Confine the smoke/fire by closing doors, laying down wet towels at the base of doors to prevent the travel of smoke (closing windows if applicable). (Defend in Place) l Extinguish - if the fire is small and can be extinguished with one fire extinguisher. Be sure to have an escape route before trying to extinguish. If more than one extinguisher is required-you need the fire department. l Or Evacuate - Get everyone out, leave the scene and close the doors behind you. (Horizontal Evacuation to another Smoke Zone)

PASS the Fire Extinguisher P ULL THE PIN A IM AT THE BASE S QUEEZE TRIGGER S WEEPING MOTION 6

LIFE SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLAN FIRE RESPONSE AND STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES INFORMATION IS LOCATED IN THE LIFE SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLAN VAMHCS POLICY 512 -001/OPS-108 7

LIFE SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLAN FIRE RESPONSE INFORMATION CAN ALSO BE FOUND IN THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN (EOP) VAMHCS POLICY 512 -001/OPS-112 ATTACHMENT D 8

EVACUATION l Outpatient facilities and office buildings should evacuate in the event of an emergency unless doing so would cause the occupants more harm ( example: tornado or hazardous chemical release ). l Inpatient facilities should only evacuate if the situation dictates and then EVACUATE HORIZONTALLY to a different quad or hallway utilizing smoke and fire barriers to protect patients and staff. 16

EVACUATION l Vertical Evacuation should only be done under the most dire of circumstances and if possible with the assistance of the fire department. Once the fire department arrives, they share command. l Preplan for what type patients will be evacuated and in what order. What staff and equipment will be needed to support the different type patients when out of their room. 16

EVACUATION l Patients are not to be left unattended or outside in the elements l Baltimore initially evacuates to UMMC l LR CLRC evacuates to front of CLC bldg or to the lobby of the new Rehab section l Perry Point staff and patients will follow directions of the Perry Point Fire Dept 16

KNOW YOUR ROLE l Keep YOUR contact information current on VA-PAS (Personnel Accountability System) and with your Service /Clinical Director. Check your phone and office number on Outlook and VISTA’s phone directory. l Know what’s in your Service Level Emergency Operations Plan before an emergency strikes l Report to your muster place immediately or call in if unable to report so that you can be accounted for. 17

KNOW YOUR ROLE l Make sure all staff are aware of the emergency l Provide direction to patients and visitors to limit their anxiety and possible injury l Be personally prepared for a fire emergency so you may help others (childcare plan, transportation plan, medication, etc. ) 17

Questions 18