The definition of disability is changing rapidly.
Insurance policies are expanding to include new definitions and redefine traditional resources. Technology is getting more accessible and more effective, all at once. Addressing disability, chronic pain, and mental illness means remaining open to new knowledge at all times. If you suspect the accessories available to your client base isn’t sufficient, it only stands to reason your knowledge on the matter could use a little expanding. Evacuation chairs, and their variations, are just one way of ensuring everyone stays on the same page.
When an emergency strikes? Only the most updated procedures will do.
Disability In America
What constituted disability a century ago doesn’t apply today. The definition is always changing, expanding and tweaking to fit a population that is going through more changes than ever. Someone who is chronically ill and unable to work a full-time job can apply for disability support in their state. Another who is mentally ill and in need of medication can do the same. A recent study determined at least 15% of the world’s population is currently living with at least one disability.
Common Fire Hazards
There are several locations that provide around-the-clock care and treatment for individuals with disability. Despite the fact hospitals, clinics, and assisted living facilities are designed to be as safe as possible, there are always hazards that rear their ugly heads. Fire hazards are most often caused by a lack of proper ventilation, improper disposal of flammable products, and malfunctioning electronic equipment. Preparing for the worst means investing in a handicap evacuation chair designed for speed and efficiency.
Fire Department Responses
The average fire department has to deal with hundreds of calls in any given month. A 2016 study found nearly 65% of fire department responses being medical aid-related. Go back further between 2011 and 2015, where healthcare facility fires cause an average of two civilian deaths and 155 civilian injuries. Damages tend to be up near $40 or $50 billion, to boot, and can seriously set back an establishment attempting to invest more in their patients. Approaching fire is just as much about preventative measures as it is about sharp reaction timing.
High Risk Locations
As explored above, even the safest locations can still be at risk for a fire. Some are considered even more dangerous than others. Hospitals, clinics, assisted living facilities, warehouses, and motels are among the most high-risk places for high-rise fires. The NFPA 101 and Life Safety Code have since required workplaces, healthcare facilities, and various occupied buildings provide an accessible fire escape plan. Not only should this include exit plans, but it also should include evacuation chairs and transeats.
Modern Evacuation Chairs
Providing your clients with the ability to leave a building swiftly and safely means stocking up on equipment that works. Evacuation chairs are designed to be easily stored and pulled out at will, strong enough to hold various weights and heights. Between 2011 and 2015 there were nearly 6,000 fires seens throughout healthcare facilities, ranging from small and easily snuffed out to massive high-rise fires that saw several injuries. The evacuation chair is an essential form of fire escape equipment to accommodate disability and chronic illness. Be sure to educate all personnel on their handling and storing.
Safety means being prepared. Implement evacuation chairs in your facility and ensure nobody is left behind if the worst comes to pass.
