Dear Friends and Colleagues:
At this time last year, OPWDD and the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) announced new practices to raise the level of safety at all group homes. That agreement with OFPC ensured that dedicated professionals in the field of fire safety and prevention are now responsible for:
· Reviewing evacuation plans and identifying any deficiencies.
· Conducting life safety code inspections in community programs.
· Conducting fire and safety training programs.
· Working with local fire departments on behalf of OPWDD, and much more.
Today, I am very pleased to share that our work on improving fire safety continues, and we are in the process of developing plans to significantly enhance safety at many state and nonprofit homes through renovations and upgrades. As you may recall, Governor Cuomo championed the necessary funding for this endeavor in this year’s state budget.
The safety standards of certified homes are determined by the person-specific evacuation capabilities of the individuals who live there. Standards created by the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), called life safety codes, are used by OPWDD to determine to what criteria homes must be constructed. These standards are very important within our field, as people with developmental disabilities are diverse, and may or may not have mobility needs and/or require assistance.
Currently, we are in the process of identifying more than 100 state and nonprofit homes most in need of renovation. We anticipate that renovation plans will be finalized early this fall, with work beginning immediately thereafter.
Many people across the state and country have committed themselves to this initiative and I would like to extend my deep appreciation to them for all of their work. I look forward to sharing additional details with you in the coming months.
Sincerely,
Commissioner Burke
P.S. Communication is critical to our collective success, and OPWDD’s Facebook page is a great place for individuals, family members, employees, advocates, and other stakeholders to exchange thoughts and ideas. Please feel free to join the conversation.