With Hurricane Ian targeting Florida’s Gulf Coast, the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) today reassured Floridians that its members are actively implementing their emergency response plans to protect their vulnerable residents.
FHCA members prepare year-round for crises, and particularly the potential dangers of hurricane season, by training nursing center staff and residents. Over the weekend, the association formally activated its emergency response measures to plan for the potential impact of Hurricane Ian. Member nursing centers are currently engaging in preparedness tasks, including fuel checks and generator preparations, disaster planning, emergency supply restocks, facility hardening, and continual communication with appropriate outside partners and contacts.
“Over the last several years, powerful hurricanes have provided stark reminders of the importance of preparing for all contingencies. That’s why our members have developed detailed emergency plans and are now implementing them ahead of Hurricane Ian,” said FHCA CEO Emmett Reed. “Our team is in regular communication with long term care facilities across the state. We are coordinating efforts with state authorities and utility partners while facilities work with their county emergency management offices, transportation and utility partners on local decision-making.”
FHCA is conducting partner briefings with providers, regulatory and emergency operation agency representatives, utility partners and other stakeholders to review hurricane planning activities with facilities, and to field providers’ questions and provide updates in anticipation of the storm.
“As always, our top priority is the safety and well-being of every resident and staff member at our centers,” said Reed. “Each facility has a detailed plan outlining the steps it will take in the event of such a natural disaster, and centers are making preparations in accordance with these plans.”
ABOUT THE FLORIDA HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION
The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is a federation that serves nearly 1,000 members and represents more than 700 long-term care facilities that provide skilled nursing, post-acute and subacute care, short-term rehab, assisted living, and other services to the elderly and individuals with disabilities in Florida. The mission of FHCA is to advance the quality of services, image, professional development, and financial stability of its members. As Florida’s first and largest advocacy organization for long-term care providers and the elderly they serve, the Association has worked diligently since 1954 to assist its members with continuously improving quality of care and quality of life for the state’s growing elder care population. For more information about the Florida Health Care Association, visit http://www.fhca.org.
