When a major weather event such as the potentially heavy snowstorm forecast to hit the Northeast, Country Meadows is prepared.
Every campus has back-up generators on-site to maintain core systems such as heat, cooking, refrigeration and care equipment. Our retirement communities in PA and MD have campus teams who create and maintain emergency procedures and response plans, and practice drills regularly to ensure that residents, co-workers and guests know what to do in the case of an emergency. When severe weather is expected, co-workers review these plans with residents and co-workers and run down checklists to ensure the campus is fully prepared.
- Arrangements are made with the pharmacy provider for deliveries of medications and medical supplies.
- Dining Services departments keep an ample supply of food and drinking water on hand plus emergency food delivery, if necessary. In these situations, dining services continues meals for residents, but also cooks for all co-workers.
Another consideration is co-workers’ ability to safely travel to and from work. Country Meadows has contingency plans in which some co-workers may stay to assist residents for days at a time. These co-workers will provide support and coverage necessary for other co-workers who are unable to travel to work or experience their own weather-related emergencies. Family members can rest assured that their loved ones will continue to receive care and in all likelihood, will notice no difference in staffing than any other day. According to President & CEO Michael Leader, “I’m proud that our co-workers provide above and beyond care for our residents, no matter the weather conditions.”
Keeping campus access open during severe weather is critical to ensure that ambulances and other emergency personnel can reach buildings. “We have experienced maintenance teams whose first priority is to clear entrance driveways and doorways as well as all emergency exits,” says John Hartmoyer, director of maintenance. “Every campus has a game plan to respond to extreme weather situations from checking equipment and salt supplies to arranging transportation for co-workers who are scheduled to work.”
Leader says, “Our Country Meadows family is looking out for our residents. We will weather this storm together.”
If you have concerns, please contact your local campus Executive Director.
Country Meadows
