New safety review for all Mass. assisted-living facilities after Fall River fire

In the wake of the deadly Gabriel House fire disaster in Fall River, all assisted-living facilities in Massachusetts are being ordered to share their fire safety plans by the end of next week, the Healey administration announced Friday.

All 273 facilities in Massachusetts will also have share evacuation routes and instructions with residents and their families and ensure they are posted widely in the building, complete a fire safety assessment survey, report the age of key fire safety systems and submit their latest emergency preparedness plan to the Executive Office of Aging & Independence, officials said.

The office is working to finish a proposal for stronger regulatory requirements at the state’s assisted-living facilities that predates the Fall River fire but which is being reevaluated in the wake of the blaze.

Nine people died after the fire at Gabriel House this weekend, and dozens more were injured.

“What happened in Fall River is a horrible tragedy. Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones and to the first responders who saved so many others,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. “This is a moment to make sure that every Assisted Living Residence is prepared to respond to emergencies and to protect the safety of their residents.”

The fire at Gabriel House has left at least nine people dead. Investigators are still looking into its cause, but believe it was accidental.

Evacuations stretched on for the better part of an hour — the city’s fire chief has praised police officers for their part in it. After the Fall River firefighter union said crews’ response was hampered by low staffing, negotiations with the city led to the announcement of a boost in staffing on fire trucks.

Some of Gabriel House’s inspection records have been released, but compliance is part of the ongoing investigations into what happened.

We’re learning more about past inspections of the Fall River assisted living facility where a deadly fire broke out.

As part of the new Fire and Life Safety Initiative, the Executive Office of Aging & Independence will give the facilities it oversees five business days from Monday to outline all fire safety protocols, including details on evacuations, and people to contact with concerns or questions for residents and families in a letter. The evacuation instructions will also have to be placed inside residents’ units and common areas.

Facilities will have to reaffirm within 30 days that they are in compliance with fire safety requirements like hosting fire drills and using sprinkler systems, and they’ll have to submit their Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Plan for each site.

By requiring clear communication with residents and detailed reporting to the state, we are making sure resident safety is front and center – today and every day,” Aging & Independence Secretary Robin Lipson said in a statement. “Our entire team is committed to strengthening emergency readiness and improving standards across the assisted living sector in Massachusetts.”

New Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said the initiative is “is about ensuring every building has the resources, knowledge and support they need to keep residents safe in the event of an emergency.”

The Healey administration shared statements from the heads of three organizations, Massachusetts Assisted Living Association, LeadingAge and Mass Senior Care Association, who committed to learn from the what happened in Fall River and the findings of the association.

“Our condolences and sympathies are with the residents, families, and staff members who have been affected during this incredibly difficult time. Mass-ALA is committed to learning from the findings of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s investigation and actions to prevent another tragedy like the fire and loss of life that happened in Fall River,” Massachusetts Assisted Living Association President and CEO Brian Doherty said.