Residential Health Care Facilities

The Residential Health Care Facility Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Review Program was introduced as a result of state legislation requiring certain health care facilities to prepare and annually update a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP). The CEMP outlines the course of action a facility will follow in the event of any internal/external emergencies affecting the facility, thus ensuring the safety and well-being of their residents.

According to state law, facility owners and administrators must submit their facility’s CEMP to Miami-Dade County Emergency Management Department for review and approval on an annual basis. The Emergency Management Department will only review plans for facilities located within Miami-Dade County and after the required CEMP Review Fee has been paid. Guidance and/or training on plan development can be provided to new administrators requesting information.

The following Residential Health Care Facilities must submit their CEMP:

Adult Day Cares
Ambulatory Surgical Centers
Assisted Living Facilities
Intermediate Care Facilities
Hospitals
Nursing Homes
Residential Treatment Centers for Children and Adolescents

Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management provides training for facility owners and administrators on CEMP requirements and submission. This includes guidance on CEMP development.

CEMP Development Training may be conducted in-person, virtually or via the CEMP Training Video. Trainings are free of charge to the participant and are intended for individuals developing a facility's CEMP.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, all facility owners and administrators are required to watch the CEMP Training Video prior to submitting their facility's CEMP.
Florida's Governor's Office ordered two administrative emergency rules to be implemented by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) outlining the Emergency Power Plans and procedures regarding emergency environmental control for assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

All new assisted living facilities and nursing homes submitting a CEMP must also submit the Emergency Power Plan for review and approval to Miami-Dade County Emergency Management Department.

Document links are available in the Related Documents section.
- Emergency Power Plan
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Ratified 58A - 5.036 Emergency Environmental Control for Assisted Living Facilities
- Final Ratified 59A - 4.1265 Emergency Environmental Control for Nursing Homes
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities affected by the rule may file a petition for a waiver or variance under Section 120.542 of the Florida Statutes.

Requests should demonstrate efforts to comply with the rule, describe why a waiver or variance is requested, and specify the section of the rule from which relief is requested.

Petitions for variance or waiver must be filed with the Agency Clerk's Office.

Nursing homes must file their petition for variance or waiver with the Agency Clerk for the Agency for Health Care Administration.

Assisted living facilities must file their petition for variance or waiver with the Agency Clerk for the Department of Elder Affairs.

Online Options

Phone Number(s)

Residential Health Care Facility Program Manager
305-468-5400305-468-5400
Agency Clerk, Agency for Health Care Administration
850-412-3671850-412-3671
Agency Clerk, Department of Elder Affairs
850-414-2342850-414-2342