Wildfire Preparedness Checklist for Healthcare Facilities 

1. Insurance and Documentation

• Review insurance policies to ensure adequate wildfire coverage. 

• Keep copies of critical documents (insurance, patient records) in a secure, easily accessible location. 

• Document all equipment and assets for potential claims. 

• For those Subscribers with Medical Professional Liability Coverage with THIE, please know that you may have supplementary coverage available to you that could help defray the expenses incurred if you are forced to evacuate your insured premises due to threat of imminent danger from the wildfires currently burning.   

2. Emergency Response Planning

• Review and update the facility’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) with wildfire-specific protocols. 

• Establish an incident command system with clear staff roles and responsibilities. 

• Identify primary and secondary evacuation routes and assembly points. 

• Coordinate with local emergency management agencies and fire departments. 

3. Risk Assessment and Mitigation

• Conduct a wildfire risk assessment for the facility and its surroundings. 

• Clear flammable vegetation and debris within at least 30 feet of the facility (defensible space). 

• Install fire-resistant landscaping and roofing materials. 

• Ensure proper sealing of windows, vents, and other openings to prevent ember intrusion. 

4. Patient Evacuation and Transfer

• Develop patient transfer agreements with nearby facilities. 

• Prioritize patient evacuation based on medical needs and mobility requirements. 

• Ensure transportation plans accommodate all patients, including those with special needs. 

• Maintain a detailed, up-to-date patient roster and emergency contact information. 

5. Communication and Alerts

• Sign up for local and regional emergency alert systems. 

• Establish redundant communication systems, including radios and satellite phones. 

• Create a protocol for notifying staff, patients, and families during a wildfire. 

• Test emergency communication systems quarterly. 

6. Emergency Supplies and Equipment

• Stock at least 72 hours’ worth of essential supplies (food, water, medications). 

• Maintain air filtration systems and have portable air purifiers for smoke protection. 

• Ensure backup power systems (generators) are functional and adequately fueled. 

• Store personal protective equipment (PPE) like N95 masks for staff and patients. 

7. Staff Training and Drills

• Conduct wildfire-specific emergency response training annually. 

• Schedule regular evacuation and shelter-in-place drills. 

• Provide staff with access to wildfire preparedness resources and guidelines. 

8. Facility Maintenance

• Test fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers regularly. 

• Ensure all HVAC systems have smoke filtration capabilities. 

• Confirm accessibility of all fire exits and evacuation routes. 

9. Coordination with Community Resources

• Build relationships with local fire departments and emergency response teams. 

• Participate in community wildfire preparedness events. 

• Share contact information with nearby facilities for mutual aid support. 

10. Post-Wildfire Recovery Plan

• Develop a plan for damage assessment and facility recovery. 

• Establish procedures for resuming operations post-disaster. 

• Provide mental health resources for staff and patients affected by the wildfire. 

 

Fire Resistant Materials

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Unpredictable Weather Brings More Employer Risk 

Emergency drills and practice exercises are important in preparing for emergencies, such as unpredictable weather. Weather is an important adverse event and severely affects emergency procedures. 

 Some examples of unpredictable weather are: 

• Tornadoes
• Snowstorms 
• Hurricanes 
• Dust storms 
• Droughts 
• Extreme Heat 
• High Winds 
• Wildfires
• Flooding 

 How often should employees train for an emergency response?

 All employees should be trained at least annually in emergency response plans and understand their roles within those plans. All plans should be shared with your local emergency responders but not made publicly available. Drills should be conducted no less than annually, but it is suggested at least biannually.  

 How often should the drill procedures be reviewed? 

 Weather drills should be reviewed annually or as facility policies and employees change. New hires need to be trained in plans and procedures for all emergencies. 

 Where should drill procedures be posted or saved? 

 Emergency response plans and procedures should be posted in emergency response manuals in a well-known location so all staff can review them. Weather can change in an instant, and being proactive is always preferred. If employees keep up with potential weather conditions, they can be mentally prepared if the weather deteriorates. 

 Common errors during a drill? 

 When organizations rush into performing emergency exercises and do not thoroughly plan exercises and drills, they often encounter the following problems: 

•  Often, exercises are copied from larger agencies or facilities, and the exercises are conducted without developing relevant objectives.
• Scenarios are too complex and detailed, and the scale is far too large to manage successfully. Inadequate time is allotted for after-drill interaction, so employees feel that there is no time to share any questions or concerns they may have. Often, an accurate critique of the exercise is not completed afterward.
• The emotional impact on the participants is not considered. The safety of participants is not addressed properly. 
• People are different, and they process danger, emergencies, and fear in different manners. You must know your employees. Use their strengths and know their weaknesses before an actual event occurs. By taking time and truly evaluating people in a drill, this can become a strength rather than a weakness.
• Exercise and drills are often planned and initiated too quickly without any forethought.
• After-action recommendations are oftentimes not implemented at the drill’s completion. 

References: Preparing for Emergency Drills and Exercises – EMC Ins, http://www.emcins.com/Docs/OFILib/AA083001483_20140723.PDF.