A.
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk is committed to protecting the health and safety of all County residents. This Legislature also finds and determines that natural disasters can occur at any time and dramatically impact communities for months and years following the event.
B.
This Legislature further finds and determines that nursing homes, long-term care facilities and group homes for the disabled provide necessary services to populations in need of assistance. This Legislature finds that such facilities should maintain written policies and procedures to ensure that residents receive necessary care while remaining safe and to plan for the variety of issues that may arise for facility residents during an emergency.
C.
This Legislature determines that emergency response professionals should have access to the emergency preparedness plans for these facilities so that emergency responders can tailor their response based upon each facility's unique plan and circumstances. This Legislature also finds that nursing homes, long-term care facilities and group homes for the disabled should be required to file an emergency preparedness plan with the Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services to facilitate communication and coordination to ensure an adequate response at their facilities during emergency situations.
D.
Therefore, the purpose of this article is to require all nursing homes, long-term care facilities and group homes for the disabled to annually establish and file with the Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services an emergency preparedness plan.