Occurrence/Situation can impact our ability to provide services and care to our clients.. Examples of an emergency may be a snowstorm, power failure, hurricane and transit strike.
In the event of an emergency, employee cooperation and understanding is needed. We may need to change your case assignment (re-assign you to a case closer to your residence location or to a case of greater risk status- based on the classification system defined in the policy). We may need to ask you to work more hours for which you will be paid or to ask you to work different days, etc.
We expect that all our employees will understand the strong need to be available during an emergency. We request that all employees call in to their HR Specialist to offer help even if you are not scheduled to work.
Emergency plan:
In the event of certain kinds of emergencies, the following instructions must be followed:
If you are unable, for any reason, to work all of your assigned hours, you must submit a time off request form as soon as possible.
If there is a natural disaster (hurricane, flood, snowstorm, etc..) you should make every effort to get to work. Once you are working a shift, listen to instructions from a local emergency radio or television station. You must notify the agency if you are unable to reach the worksite.
Inclement weather
The Agency provides client services even in the event of inclement weather. In the event employees have difficulty with transportation due to the weather, you must submit a time off request form as soon as possible. before the beginning of their shift.
Fire:
If you are with a client and a fire occurs, you should, at the first sign of smoke, go immediately to the safest exit with the client. Once away from danger, call the fire department. If the client cannot be moved, close the door of the client’s room and go to the nearest safe telephone. Dial 911 give them the exact address and name of yourself and the client. Do not attempt to put out the fire yourself. Do not return to the house until the fire department has given you permission to do so. Notify the client's Coordinator as soon as you and your client are out of danger.
Power failure:
If you are with a client and there is a power failure, try to keep the client as warm and comfortable as possible. Inform the agency as soon as possible. If the client is on life-support equipment be certain to switch to the generator back up. Notify the utility company and contact the agency as soon as possible. If your client is in a life-threatening situation, call 911 immediately.
Medical emergency:
If a medical emergency occurs while you are with a client, these are the general rules which you should follow.
- Seek emergency help by dialing the number provided as the client's emergency contact on the HHAeXchange app.
- Keep the client as comfortable as possible.
- Observe the client and report all symptoms to emergency personnel.
- Notify the agency of situation and outcome.
You are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of your client during the assigned hours. If for any reason you cannot provide all the hours of service required, you must notify the agency at once.