Stan Szpytek is the president of consulting firm Fire and Life Safety, Inc., in Mesa, Arizona, and is the Life Safety/Disaster Planning Consultant for the Arizona Health Care Association and California Association of Health Facilities. Szpytek is a former deputy fire chief and fire marshal with more than 35 years of experience in life safety compliance and emergency preparedness. For more information, visit
www.emallianceusa.com or email Szpytek at Firemarshal10@aol.com.
Stan Szpytek |
November 28, 2017
Deck the halls, but be safe about it. National fire and life safety expert Stan Szpytek shares tips on reducing fire risk during the holidays.
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Stan Szpytek |
March 15, 2017
The clock is ticking on compliance with the new CMS emergency preparedness requirements. Safety expert Stan Szpytek breaks down the new regs and explains why your current assessments and training probably aren't going to be enough.
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Stan Szpytek |
October 10, 2016
Is your organization ready for the new Life Safety Codes set to begin next month?
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Stan Szpytek |
July 21, 2016
Two real-life incidents show the importance of preparedness and training, so if the worst happens, your staff is ready.
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Stan Szpytek |
June 16, 2016
Stay compliant with CMS requirements by using the proper editions of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes and Standards.
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Stan Szpytek |
March 23, 2016
All long-term living communities need protocols for managing a wide range of incidents whether the law requires it or not, and residents need to be part of the annual practice drills, says safety expert Stan Szpytek.
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Stan Szpytek |
February 1, 2016
Upcoming code compliance regs are about to take a fresh look at fire doors, says Long-Term Living's fire safety experty Stan Szpytek. Here's what your facility ops and risk management teams need to know.
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Stan Szpytek |
December 22, 2015
There's more to fires than just putting them out. Fire protection systems need to be properly installed and maintained, and staff needs to be properly trained in emergency procedures.
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Stan Szpytek |
December 18, 2015
CMS is expected to adopt a new edition of the Life Safety Codes soon, so give your facilities management team the gift of a head start on upcoming changes.
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Stan Szpytek |
September 9, 2013
The effectiveness of fire sprinklers in long-term care settings isn't usually front-page news, but without properly installed fire suppression devices, the results could be devastating.
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Stan Szpytek |
June 25, 2013
Currently, only licensed SNFs are required to have sprinklers installed by August 2013. But the new proposed Fire Sprinkler Incentive of 2013 could involve assisted living sites, care homes and more.
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Stan Szpytek |
March 6, 2013
Those given the privilege and responsibility of providing care as well as other services to the frail and elderly are placed in a position where their actions must be clear and decisive in times of emergency.
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Stan Szpytek |
February 26, 2013
Site security, recognizing and defusing aggressive behavior and workplace violence prevention are topics that should be integrated into every facility’s training regimens.
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Stan Szpytek |
January 28, 2013
The tragic events surrounding the deadly nightclub fire that happened over the weekend in Brazil should remind occupancies of all types to focus on fire safety every day of the year.
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Stan Szpytek |
January 14, 2013
Each year, hundreds of people die in fires caused by heating equipment, including portable space heaters, according to the National Fire Protection Association. While prohibited in smoke compartments where residents are present in skilled nursing facilities, portable electric space heaters continue to find their way into LTC facilities of all types.
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Stan Szpytek |
December 17, 2012
Safety and security is a matter that every type of LTC facility should take very seriously. Assuming that seniors are immune from the type of violence that was witnessed at Sandy Hook Elementary School is a mistake.
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Stan Szpytek |
November 28, 2012
I challenge LTC providers to think of creative ways to develop solid and meaningful relationships with their community’s first responders and providers of other essential services that will be mutually beneficial in good times as well as bad times.
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Stan Szpytek |
November 8, 2012
A good percentage of disaster management is “getting your ducks in a row.” Most of this involves establishing appropriate relationships that may be premised on contacts, formalized agreements and memorandums of understanding with vendors of essential services and other facilities that may be needed to provide evacuation and relocation assistance during the disaster recovery phase.
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Stan Szpytek |
October 29, 2012
The danger of complacency and not performing the necessary “due diligence” as it relates to the installation and maintenance of your facility’s generator(s) and emergency power systems can lead to catastrophic failures. Here are five tips to help ensure that your emergency power system performs to its maximum potential at all times.
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Stan Szpytek |
October 11, 2012
Planning for an emergency at your LTC facility must start at home so your organization can help protect one of its most valuable resources--employees and their families.
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Stan Szpytek |
September 19, 2012
Planning for the unexpected means forming a clear plan of action and knowing who to call when disaster strikes.
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Stan Szpytek |
August 9, 2012
When operational changes occur, it is critical to review and update your community’s emergency plans to help ensure that the changes have been incorporated into these essential documents.
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Stan Szpytek |
April 18, 2012
While it is clear that gaps exist in emergency preparedness on all levels of healthcare, a great deal of progress has been made in long-term care that may not be adequately reflected in this recent OIG report.
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Stan Szpytek |
April 13, 2012
In accordance with codes and regulations, nursing homes and assisted living communities are required to provide a sufficient number of fire extinguishers throughout each building. Additionally, employees of these types of occupancies are required to know how to properly use fire extinguishers.
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Stan Szpytek |
April 10, 2012
Traditionally, nursing homes and other levels of long-term care have not been involved with disaster planning as part of the community on a broad-based scale. As this bi-annual conference shows, that's no longer the case.
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Stan Szpytek |
March 6, 2012
Keeping pathways to survival clear is a disaster preparation that should be addressed every day. If everything is in its place and not blocking exits, evacuation is easier and more successful.
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Stan Szpytek |
January 31, 2012
From a safety and risk perspective, the kitchen provides us with an immediate opportunity to develop a workforce that is “cultured” to prevent potential hazards and losses. Deviation from procedures is usually when an incident occurs.
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Stan Szpytek |
January 20, 2012
Preparedness and safety are not to be ignored. They determine how successfully an adverse event may be mitigated. And in long-term care communities, disaster training and drills are required.
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Stan Szpytek |
January 3, 2012
Throughout winter, it is essential for LTC facilities and senior housing properties to ensure that the area around heating equipment is free and clear of all combustible material.
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Stan Szpytek |
December 14, 2011
Please, for the love of your residents, staff and all visitors, employ some common sense this holiday season.
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