Chapter 9.5Multipurpose Senior Centers And Senior Centers Emergency Operations Plans

Section § 9625

Explanation

This law requires all multipurpose senior centers and senior centers to create a written emergency operations plan by June 30, 2007. The plan must include how to prepare the facility, an inventory of local resources like generators and hospitals, detailed evacuation procedures, and how to assist those with disabilities or other needs. It should also outline periodic drills, ensure services continue after a disaster, and address cultural and language barriers. Centers must work with local emergency services and agencies in planning. The aim is to be well-prepared during emergencies and to provide necessary support to the community.

(a)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9625(a) No later than June 30, 2007, each multipurpose senior center and each senior center, as defined in subdivisions (j) and (n) of Section 9591, shall develop and maintain a written emergency operations plan. This emergency operations plan shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9625(a)(1) Facility preparation procedures to identify the location of first aid supplies, secure all furniture, appliances, and other free-standing objects, and provide instructions for operating gas and water shutoff valves.
(2)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9625(a)(2) An inventory of neighborhood resources that shall include, but not be limited to, the identification and location of all the following nearby resources:
(A)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9625(a)(2)(A) Generators.
(B)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9625(a)(2)(B) Telephones.
(C)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9625(a)(2)(C) Hospitals and public health clinics.
(D)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9625(a)(2)(D) Fire stations and police stations.
(3)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9625(a)(3) Evacuation procedures, including procedures to accommodate those who will need assistance in evacuating the center. This evacuation plan shall be located in an area that is accessible to the public.
(4)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9625(a)(4) Procedures to accommodate seniors, people with disabilities, and other community members in need of shelter at the senior center, in the event that other community facilities are inoperable.
(5)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9625(a)(5) Personnel resources necessary for postdisaster response.
(6)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9625(a)(6) Procedures for conducting periodic evacuation drills, fire drills, and earthquake drills.
(7)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9625(a)(7) Procedures to ensure service continuation after a disaster.
(8)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9625(a)(8) Consideration of cultural and linguistic barriers in emergency and evacuation plans, and ways to appropriately address those barriers.
(b)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9625(b) In the development of the emergency operations plans required by this chapter, multipurpose senior centers and senior centers shall coordinate with the Office of Emergency Services, the local area agency on aging, as defined in Section 9006, and other relevant agencies and stakeholders.
emergency operations plan senior centers facility preparation resource inventory evacuation procedures shelter accommodations personnel resources drills service continuation cultural barriers linguistic barriers coordination with emergency services community support postdisaster response neighborhood resources
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 537. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)