|
THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
47 |
|
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008 |
S.D. 2 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
SENATE RESOLUTION
URGING ASSOCIATIONS OF APARTMENT OWNERS AND CONDOMINIUM UNIT OWNERS' ASSOCIATIONS IN THE STATE TO DEVELOP EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION PLANS FOR RESIDENTS, INCLUDING PROVISIONS FOR SENIORS AND RESIDENTS WITH SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS.
WHEREAS, Hawaii has an increasing population of seniors and adults, many of whom live independently at home in high-rise and multiple unit residential buildings; and
WHEREAS, many of the State's seniors have special medical needs, such as the inability to ascend or descend stairs, dependence on oxygen, use of wheelchairs or other assistive devices, special dietary needs, and refrigerated prescription medications; and
WHEREAS, these special medical needs become even more critical and require attention during an emergency, especially situations that result in the loss of electricity to power building elevators, appliances, and medical devices; and
WHEREAS, associations of apartment owners, condominium unit owners' associations and first responders to emergencies would benefit from being aware of the special needs of residents, and would be able to establish procedures to ensure that those needs are addressed in an emergency; and
WHEREAS, apartment owners and condominium unit owners' would benefit from the development of an evacuation plan for residents of those buildings, including residents with special needs, and make all residents aware of procedures and evacuation routes that they should use during an emergency; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that associations of apartment owners and condominium unit owners' associations throughout the State are urged to conduct voluntary surveys of the special needs of their residents and make preparations to address those needs in the event of an emergency; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that associations of apartment owners and condominium unit owners' associations throughout the State are urged to develop emergency plans that include evacuation and shelter-in-place plans that address the special needs of senior and medically fragile residents to be used in the event of an emergency; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these emergency plans include provisions for emergency supplies such as water and non‑perishable foods; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that associations of apartment owners and condominium unit owners' throughout the State are further urged to distribute the plans to all residents and post the plans publicly where they may be viewed by residents and visitors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that associations of apartment owners and condominium unit owners' throughout the State are urged to include in their annual statements filed with the Real Estate Commission any developed emergency plans that address the special needs of senior and medically fragile residents to be used in the event of an emergency to enable the Real Estate Commission to gather information regarding the number of emergency plans developed, the procedures of these plans, and the special needs of the residents these emergency plans are intended to address; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Civil Defense Division of the Department of Defense, to the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and the Executive Director of the Real Estate Commission who in turn is requested to transmit copies to the chairperson of the board of each association of apartment owners and condominium unit owners' association that is registered with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs through a method of distribution that will not exceed its Condominium Education Trust Fund funding cap, and to the Chief of the fire department of each county.
Condominiums; Emergency Preparedness