AFH Disaster Preparedness Planning in Washington State: DSHS Compliance and Emergency Readiness

Adult Family Homes in Washington State serve vulnerable populations, including elderly adults and individuals with disabilities who often depend on caregivers for mobility, medication, and daily living assistance. Because of this dependency, disaster preparedness planning is not optional. It is a regulatory requirement enforced by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services under Chapter 388-76 WAC.

AFHs must maintain comprehensive emergency preparedness plans capable of addressing natural disasters, power outages, fires, earthquakes, floods, extreme weather events, and public health emergencies. Facilities that fail to maintain and implement effective emergency systems face regulatory citations, enforcement action, and potential harm to residents.

This guide outlines DSHS disaster preparedness planning standards for Adult Family Homes in Washington and provides practical compliance strategies.

Regulatory Framework

Washington AFH emergency preparedness requirements are primarily governed by:

• Chapter 388-76 WAC – Adult Family Home Licensing Requirements

• Relevant provisions of the Revised Code of Washington

• DSHS Residential Care Services policy guidance

DSHS surveyors evaluate disaster planning during routine inspections and complaint investigations.

Core Requirement: Written Emergency Preparedness Plan

Every Adult Family Home must develop and maintain a written emergency preparedness plan that is:

• Current

• Comprehensive

• Accessible to staff

• Reviewed and updated periodically

• Implemented during emergencies

The plan must address prevention, response, evacuation, communication, and recovery.

Failure to maintain a written plan is a common deficiency.

Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification

AFHs must evaluate risks specific to their geographic region.

Washington State hazards may include:

• Earthquakes

• Wildfires

• Severe winter storms

• Flooding

• Landslides

• Power outages

• Heat waves

• Public health outbreaks

The emergency plan should identify potential hazards and outline response strategies tailored to the home’s location and resident population.

Evacuation Planning Requirements

Evacuation planning is a central component of AFH disaster preparedness.

The evacuation plan must include:

• Primary and secondary exit routes

• Resident-specific evacuation needs

• Staff roles and responsibilities

• Transportation arrangements

• Emergency supply kits

• Designated meeting points

• Relocation sites

For residents with mobility impairments, dementia, or complex medical needs, individualized evacuation considerations must be documented.

DSHS expects providers to demonstrate how non-ambulatory residents will be evacuated safely.

Resident-Specific Emergency Information

Each resident must have readily accessible emergency information, including:

• Current medication list

• Allergies

• Diagnoses

• Emergency contacts

• Guardian information

• Insurance information

Facilities should maintain a portable emergency binder that can be taken during evacuation.

Emergency Supplies and Equipment

Washington AFHs must maintain emergency supplies sufficient to support residents and staff for an extended period.

Supplies typically include:

• Drinking water

• Non-perishable food

• Flashlights and batteries

• First aid supplies

• Backup medication supplies

• Blankets and warmth protection

• Personal hygiene supplies

• Backup communication devices

Facilities should plan for at least 72 hours of independent operation.

Generators are not universally mandated but may be necessary depending on resident acuity and local risk.

Fire Safety Compliance

Fire safety is a high-risk compliance area.

AFHs must:

• Maintain working smoke detectors

• Have functional fire extinguishers

• Ensure exit pathways are unobstructed

• Conduct and document fire drills

• Train staff on fire response procedures

Fire drills must be conducted regularly and documented with:

• Date and time

• Staff participation

• Evacuation time

• Issues identified

• Corrective action taken

Failure to conduct fire drills is frequently cited.

Staff Training and Emergency Roles

All staff must be trained on emergency procedures, including:

• Evacuation roles

• Resident assistance

• Fire response

• Disaster communication

• Emergency supply use

• Incident documentation

Training should occur:

• During orientation

• Annually

• When emergency plans are updated

Surveyors may interview staff to assess knowledge of emergency procedures.

Communication Planning

Effective communication during a disaster is critical.

The emergency plan must outline:

• How staff will communicate with emergency responders

• How families and guardians will be notified

• Backup communication methods if phone service fails

• Internal communication chain of command

Facilities should maintain updated emergency contact lists for:

• Residents

• Family members

• Physicians

• Pharmacies

• DSHS

• Emergency management agencies

Power Outage Planning

Power outages present significant risks, especially for residents dependent on medical equipment.

The emergency plan must address:

• Backup lighting

• Refrigeration of medications

• Oxygen equipment contingency

• Safe temperature management

• Communication during outages

If residents depend on powered medical devices, contingency plans must be clearly documented.

Relocation Agreements

AFHs must identify potential relocation sites in case the home becomes uninhabitable.

Relocation planning should include:

• Pre-identified alternative facilities

• Transportation arrangements

• Documentation transfer procedures

• Coordination with families

Facilities should not rely on last-minute planning.

Infection Control and Public Health Emergencies

Emergency preparedness planning must also address infectious disease outbreaks.

Plans should include:

• Isolation procedures

• PPE stock management

• Staff illness contingency planning

• Communication with public health authorities

• Visitation restriction procedures

Pandemic planning has become a permanent component of disaster readiness.

Documentation and Recordkeeping

AFHs must maintain documentation including:

• Written emergency plan

• Fire drill logs

• Staff training records

• Equipment inspection logs

• Incident reports

• Emergency supply inventory lists

Documentation must be organized and accessible during DSHS surveys.

Survey Evaluation of Emergency Preparedness

During inspections, DSHS surveyors evaluate:

• Existence of written emergency plan

• Staff knowledge of procedures

• Fire drill compliance

• Accessibility of emergency supplies

• Evacuation route clarity

• Resident-specific planning

Surveyors may ask staff to describe evacuation procedures without referring to the written plan.

Common Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Frequent citations include:

• No written disaster plan

• Outdated emergency contact lists

• Failure to conduct fire drills

• Inadequate evacuation planning for non-ambulatory residents

• Insufficient emergency supplies

• Lack of staff training documentation

Proactive audits reduce deficiency risk.

Best Practices for AFH Disaster Preparedness

1. Conduct annual emergency plan review

2. Update resident-specific evacuation needs quarterly

3. Maintain emergency supply checklist

4. Conduct quarterly fire drills

5. Train new staff immediately upon hire

6. Test backup communication systems

7. Establish relocation partnerships in writing

Structured preparedness systems enhance compliance and resident safety.

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

Facilities should review emergency procedures after each drill or real incident.

Post-event review should document:

• What worked well

• What needs improvement

• Policy revisions

• Staff retraining

Continuous improvement strengthens readiness.

Liability and Risk Considerations

Inadequate disaster planning exposes AFHs to:

• Resident injury or death

• Regulatory enforcement

• Civil litigation

• License revocation

• Reputation damage

Emergency preparedness is both a regulatory and ethical responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are generators required for all AFHs in Washington?
Not universally, but contingency planning for power loss is required.

How often must fire drills be conducted?
Regular fire drills must be documented in accordance with WAC requirements.

Must each resident have individualized evacuation documentation?
Yes. Planning must consider each resident’s mobility and health status.

Can emergency plans be generic templates?
No. Plans must reflect the specific home and resident population.

Conclusion

AFH disaster preparedness planning in Washington State is a comprehensive regulatory requirement enforced by DSHS under Chapter 388-76 WAC. Adult Family Homes must maintain written emergency plans, conduct fire drills, ensure staff training, prepare evacuation systems, maintain emergency supplies, and document all preparedness activities.

Facilities that proactively implement structured emergency planning systems significantly reduce regulatory risk and protect vulnerable residents during crises.

Preparedness is not a one-time document. It is a living operational framework that must be maintained, practiced, and continuously improved.

URL:

Washington Administrative Code – Adult Family Home Licensing
https://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=388-76

Washington State DSHS Residential Care Services
https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa

Revised Code of Washington – Residential Care
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw