Greenport Nursing Home Evacuation: Smoke Investigation

San Simeon Rehabilitation Center Evacuated Due to HVAC System Smoke Incident

A precautionary evacuation was ordered at the San Simeon by the Sound Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation in Greenport, New York, early Monday morning, October 13, after staff detected heavy smoke emanating from the facility’s west wing. The swift response by multiple fire departments ensured the safety of residents and staff, with no injuries reported.

Did you know? – San Simeon by the Sound is a 120-bed skilled nursing facility offering rehabilitation and long-term care services to the community. Regular fire drills are mandated in these facilities to prepare for emergencies.

Early Morning Response and Evacuation

At approximately 4:30 a.m. on Monday, a staff member alerted authorities to a heavy smoke condition in the west wing of San Simeon by the Sound. According to Southold Town Police Chief Steve Grattan, “multiple fire departments responded and remained on scene for several hours” while investigating the source of the smoke. as a preventative measure, the west wing was immediately evacuated.

Seven residents requiring supplemental oxygen were transported to local hospitals for observation.An additional nine residents were temporarily relocated to the nearby Peconic Landing facility. chief Grattan confirmed that once the situation was persistent to be safe, those nine residents were returned to San Simeon.

What happened? Early Monday morning, smoke was detected in the west wing of San Simeon by the sound, prompting a precautionary evacuation. Who was involved? Staff, residents, Southold Town Police, and multiple fire departments responded. Why did it happen? A malfunctioning air handler in the HVAC system was the source of the smoke.

Pro tip: – When evacuating a healthcare facility, prioritize residents with medical needs, such as those requiring oxygen or mobility assistance. Staff training is crucial for efficient and safe evacuations.

Source of Smoke Identified

The investigation quickly pinpointed the source of the smoke to a malfunctioning air handler within the HVAC system. “The source of the smoke was traced to an air handler within the HVAC system,” Chief grattan stated. Firefighters thoroughly inspected the system and the affected wing to ensure complete safety before allowing residents to return.

No Injuries Reported, Community Support Highlighted

“Fortunately, there were no injuries related to the incident,” Chief grattan confirmed, emphasizing the successful outcome of the emergency response. The incident underscores the importance of robust safety protocols within long-term care facilities and the rapid coordination between emergency services and staff.

How did it end? Firefighters determined the air handler was the source and secured the area. All residents were safely returned or accounted for, with no injuries reported. The facility is working to repair the HVAC system.

Reader question: – What safety measures do you think are most notable in a long-term care facility, and how can facilities better prepare for unexpected events like this?

The Beacon is committed to providing vital community news, offering all content online free of charge thanks to the support of it’s readers.