Friday, June 1, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Enhances Safety at Missouri's Long Term Care Facilities
ANDERSON– Gov. Matt Blunt today signed legislation enhancing safety measures in Missouri's long term care facilities and enacting important measures he called for last year following a tragic fire at the Anderson Guest House. The November 2006 fire took 11 Missourians' lives and Governor Blunt immediately took action to help improve safety requirements, implement stricter regulations and expand fire safety education in long term care facilities.
"Today, we remember a horrific tragedy and those who lost their lives or a loved one at the Anderson Guest House," Gov. Blunt said. "The lessons learned by what happened last November will not be forgotten. With this legislation we are enhancing the safety at our long term care facilities by implementing reforms I called for to protect Missourians living in long term care facilities. I commend Representatives Kevin Wilson and Tom Dempsey as well as Senator Jack Goodman for their good work to improve safety at long term care facilities with this important legislation."
Blunt today signed House Bill 952, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Wilson, which was combined with House Bill 674, sponsored by Rep. Tom Dempsey.
"Immediately after the Anderson Guest House fire, Governor Blunt called for action to improve fire safety for Missourians in residential care," said Rep. Kevin Wilson. "The legislature worked hard to take action this very next session, and I am proud to say that House Bill 952 and 674 will ensure that fire safety measures and guidelines are in place and moving forward as quickly as possible."
"The city of Anderson is thankful to see this legislation signed into law that will help prevent another tragedy like the Anderson Guest House from happening again in Missouri. I appreciate the quick response of Governor Blunt and the General Assembly to address this important safety issue," said Anderson Mayor Bob Corcoran.
House Bill 952 focuses on requiring sprinklers in new facilities, setting standards and goals for installing sprinklers in existing facilities, improving fire alarm systems and increasing fire safety education and planning. The bill calls for:
- All new or upgraded long term care facilities in Missouri to install and maintain commercial grade sprinkler systems
- All existing residential care and assisted living facilities with greater than 20 residents to install a residential grade sprinkler system by 2012 unless the facility already meets other life safety standards set by the National Fire Protection Association
- A low interest loan program, to encourage facilities to act before 2012
- Facilities to install approved fire alarms systems connected to a local fire department or dispatch service so firefighters can arrive as quickly as possible
- The Department of Health and Senior Services to establish rules for fire safety that include unannounced fire drills and increased fire safety training to improve resident and staff knowledge of the fire safety plan for their facility
This legislation was based on recommendations from a multi-departmental review of safety laws and regulations Governor Blunt initiated immediately after the tragedy in Anderson.
"I commend the General Assembly and Governor Blunt for enacting this legislation which protects seniors in long term care facilities. We should do everything within our power to protect our seniors who require the most care, and this legislation goes a long way toward ensuring the safety in residential and assisted living facilities," said Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, official Senior Advocate for Missouri.