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Why would you want to use a Shelter In Place plan at an Assisted Living facility? What is the purpose of it? A Shelter In Place (SIP) Plan would be used at an Assisted Living Facility as a protective action strategy taken to maintain resident care in the facility and to limit the movement of residents, staff and visitors in order to protect people and property from hazards (AHCA/NCAL Emergency Preparedness Committee, 2015). A SIP Plan would be initiated as soon as a threat is detected and the decision to SIP versus evacuate has been determined. The purpose of the plan is to provide a framework for operations and resource management during a time of threat to the health and safety of residents and staff. The plan identifies key positions in the Incident Command Team, means of communication during SIP, procedures for essential activities, and supply management. Essentially, the plan must clearly outline all aspects of operations in a SIP scenario so that rapid response can be achieved. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recommend every facility maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program that encompasses emergency response plans based on a risk assessment, policies and procedures for initiating emergency response, a communication plan, and continual training and testing of the programs (2017). In ALFs additional plan details, such as tracking patients and identifying staffing strategies for staff shortages need to be identified and planned for. While many threats exist that could warrant an evacuation or SIP decision, it is vital for facilities to have plans in place to help guide a systematic decision-making process, promote internal and external communication, and protect the safety and welfare of the residents, staff, and community.