Emergency Response and Pandemic Plan Overview
This guide outlines how Circle of Care prepares for and handles emergencies and pandemics to keep clients and staff safe. It covers how client care is prioritized during a crisis, how emergency updates are shared with staff, and where to pick up Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if the main office is closed.
You are not required to implement the Emergency Response Plan on your own. Your supervisor will communicate any necessary next steps during an emergency. The plan is provided below for your awareness. If you become aware of a situation that may require the plan to be activated, contact your supervisor or the Call Centre immediately.
Summary of the Plan
- Purpose: The plan ensures Circle of Care protects staff and clients while maintaining essential services during events like severe weather, system outages, or public health emergencies.
- Emergency Levels: Situations are rated from Level 3 (monitoring minor threats) to Level 1 (full emergency response led by an Incident Management Team).
- Client Care Prioritization: If emergency staffing shortages occur, clients are prioritized by risk level (High, Medium, Low) so high-risk clients continue receiving critical care.
- Staff Communication: During a Level 1 emergency, staff receive updates through email, phone calls, or all-call messages at least at the beginning and end of every day.
- Reporting & Illness: Employees must immediately report any emergency or hazard to their supervisor, and staff who are ill must not report to work.
- Backup Supply Pickup: If the main office at 4211 Yonge St. is unreachable, PSWs can collect PPE from designated UPS Store locations at 1110 Finch Ave. and 1154 Warden Ave.