Stan Szpytek
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.
Fire safety for the holidays
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. Read More » CMS’ new emergency preparedness rules
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. Read More » Life Safety Codes start 11/1/16
Is your organization ready for the new Life Safety Codes set to begin next month? Read More » Training, practice and technology pay off in real emergencies
Two real-life incidents show the importance of preparedness and training, so if the worst happens, your staff is ready. Read More » New Life Safety Code requirements begin July 5
Stay compliant with CMS requirements by using the proper editions of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes and Standards. Read More » Preparing residents for emergencies
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. Read More » Get ready to focus on fire doors
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. Read More » Staff training on fire safety
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. Read More » The perfect gift for your maintenance team: Life Safety Code compliance
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. Read More » A tale of two fires
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. Read More » 2013 fire sprinkler bill may inspire retrofits and renovations
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. Read More » In times of emergency—respond!
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. Read More » Preventing workplace violence in LTC
Site security, recognizing and defusing aggressive behavior and workplace violence prevention are topics that should be integrated into every facility’s training regimens. Read More » Tragic blaze in Brazil, fire at AL facility put focus on fire safety
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. Read More » Beware of portable electric space heaters in LTC
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. Read More » Tragedy in Connecticut reinforces need to protect vulnerable populations
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. Read More » Remembering your community’s first responders this holiday season
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. Read More » Recovering from disaster in long-term care
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. Read More » 5 tips to keep emergency generators performing in LTC facilities
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. Read More » Business continuity planning starts with safety at home
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. Read More » Disaster Recovery Requires Pre-Planning
Planning for the unexpected means forming a clear plan of action and knowing who to call when disaster strikes. Read More » Review and update LTC emergency plans with operational changes
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. Read More » LTC response plans must be ‘operationalized’
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. Read More » ABC’s of fire extinguisher use in healthcare
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. Read More » Disaster planning workshop a long-term care success
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. Read More » Life safety compliance: Keep your exits clear!
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. Read More » Kitchen safety in long-term care
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. Read More » The essential components of preparedness and compliance
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. Read More » Senior living life safety tips during the heating season
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. Read More » 