Failure to Report Fire Incident to State Agency
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to report a fire incident that occurred on the interior patio, which was caused by a resident discarding a lit cigarette into a trash can, despite the facility being a smoke-free environment. The fire resulted in damage to the glass door at the entrance of the patio. Staff responded by removing the resident from the area, extinguishing the fire with a fire extinguisher, and securing the resident's cigarettes and lighter. Documentation in the resident's clinical record confirmed the sequence of events and the staff's immediate actions to address the fire and resident safety. Despite these actions, the incident was not reported to the state agency as required by state regulations. Interviews with staff and the administrator revealed that the decision not to notify the fire department or the state agency was based on internal guidance and the belief that the situation was under control. The administrator acknowledged that the fire should have been reported to the state agency, in accordance with both state law and facility policy, but this was not done.