[Adopted 8-7-2012 by L.L. No. 46-2012]
A.Â
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk
is committed to protecting the health and safety of all County residents.
This Legislature also finds and determines that natural disasters
can occur at any time and dramatically impact communities for months
and years following the event.
B.Â
This Legislature further finds and determines that nursing homes,
long-term care facilities and group homes for the disabled provide
necessary services to populations in need of assistance. This Legislature
finds that such facilities should maintain written policies and procedures
to ensure that residents receive necessary care while remaining safe
and to plan for the variety of issues that may arise for facility
residents during an emergency.
C.Â
This Legislature determines that emergency response professionals
should have access to the emergency preparedness plans for these facilities
so that emergency responders can tailor their response based upon
each facility's unique plan and circumstances. This Legislature
also finds that nursing homes, long-term care facilities and group
homes for the disabled should be required to file an emergency preparedness
plan with the Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency
Services to facilitate communication and coordination to ensure an
adequate response at their facilities during emergency situations.
D.Â
Therefore, the purpose of this article is to require all nursing
homes, long-term care facilities and group homes for the disabled
to annually establish and file with the Suffolk County Department
of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services an emergency preparedness plan.
A.Â
All nursing homes, long-term care facilities, group homes for the
disabled, residential mental health programs and/or crisis residences
for adults and crisis residence mental health programs for children
and adolescents located in the County of Suffolk shall file with the
Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services a written emergency
preparedness plan. Such plan must establish the facility’s policies
and procedures in the event that a natural disaster or similar emergency
occurs.
[Amended 6-18-2013 by L.L. No. 31-2013]
B.Â
Commencing in 2013 and continuing each year thereafter, each facility
shall file its written emergency preparedness plan with the Suffolk
County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services on or before
January 30.
[Added 6-18-2013 by L.L. No. 31-2013[1]]
A.Â
Each facility
which files a written emergency preparedness plan with the Department
of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services in accordance with this article
shall receive a certificate of compliance from the Department.
B.Â
The Department
of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services shall post on its official
website a list of all facilities and programs required to file an
emergency preparedness plan pursuant to this article and state the
compliance status of each facility and program.
[1]
Editor’s Note: This local law also repealed former §
627-17, Penalties for offenses.
The Commissioner of the Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency
Services is hereby authorized and empowered to establish rules and
regulations necessary for the implementation of this article.
This article shall apply to all actions occurring on or after
the effective date of this article.
