Community Care Facility Referral Process

COMMUNITY CARE FACILITY REFERRAL PROCESS ______________________________________________ The City of Los Angeles is recognizing a large increase in Community Care Facilities.

Currently, the Public Safety Section (PSS), Schools, Churches and Institutions (SC&I) Unit(s) of the FPB are responsible for certifying and inspecting these facilities. Many of these Community Care Facilities are operating as non-permitted/licensed community care facilities. This document has been developed to assist LAFD personnel with the identification and referral of facilities operating outside the established code and licensing requirements of the City of Los Angeles and the State of California.

LICENSED FACILITY REQUIREMENTS

UNLICENSED FACILITY

STATE LICENSED

Will be posted in a conspicuous location

No license These facilities will refer to their facility as an independent living, sober living, recuperative living facility to create an exemption from the license requirement

OPERATIONAL PERMIT

SEE ATTACHED

These facilities will not possess a LAFD operational permit

NUMBER OF RESIDENTS PER ROOM

These facilities are limited to two residents per room

These facilities will frequently house more than two residents per room.

SMOKE DETECTION DEVICES

Installed per code and operational

May not be installed or operating properly according to the fire code

NUMBER OF RESIDENTS

Limited to six per facility

Usually will exceed the six per facility code restriction (count the beds) - (bunkbeds are illegal)

If you suspect that a facility is operating in violation of any one or all of the above mentioned requirements, ask the facility operator to provide a copy of the license or operational permit. If you are unable to view such documents, utilize the FPB referral form to notify the FPB. This form can be obtained via the LAFD intranet by accessing the LAFD portal, clicking the APPS tab, select Fire Prevention Bureau referral form. In the issues/concerns section, please provide as much information possible to assist the FPB.

COMMUNITY CARE FACILITY REFERRAL PROCESS ______________________________________________ If LAFD members encounter Community Care Facilities that have any of the following conditions listed below, an immediate evacuation should be considered:    

Significant impairment of exiting and/or egress routes Immediate potential for fire, explosion, death and /or collapse Immediate potential for loss of life Facility exceeds the approved occupancy load ( two beds per room, no beds in living room, kitchen area, or converted garage)

Prior to conducting an immediate evacuation, contact the following:       

Administrative Battalion Chief Administrative EMS Battalion Captain Advanced Care Provider Unit (AP Unit) LA County Health - through MFC Adult Protective Services - notification required LAFD PIO - through MFC FPB Public Safety Section Commander during business hours. FPB referral form after hours

Post immediate evacuation of a Community Care Facility: 

Administrative Battalion Chief completes a Significant Incident Report and forwards it to the appropriate Geographical Bureau Commander

COMMUNITY CARE FACILITY REFERRAL PROCESS ______________________________________________ STATE OF CALIFORNIA DSS LICENSE

LA CO PUBLIC HEALTH PERMIT

LA FIRE OPERATIONAL PERMIT