​California is expected to reach freeze warning temperatures of 28 to 32 degrees and hard-freeze temperatures of subzero in some regions by this Friday.

Winter months bring weather that can rapidly create emergency and/or disaster-related conditions. Disaster plans must take all types of hazards into account, including the possibility of severe weather caused by freeze conditions and/or winter storms. Health care facilities are required by regulation to maintain their physical plant and all equipment in operational condition. If your facility is required to maintain an emergency power source, it must be fully tested and functional in order to ensure availability in the event of a power outage.

Licensing regulations require that all emergency or disaster-related occurrences, which threaten the welfare, safety, or health of patients, must be reported to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Licensing and Certification (L&C) Program.

If your facility is impacted by an emergency or disaster-related occurrence, and an evacuation, transfer, or discharge of patients results as a response to the emergency, you must contact CDPH L&C. Please follow these guidelines for reporting such occurrences:

During normal business hours (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) contact the local CDPH L&C district office you customarily work with for your geographic location. District Office contact information can be found on the CDPH, L&C website at:

District Office Contacts

For after-hour reporting or if the local CDPH L&C district office is non-operational due to the emergency or disaster, follow the process below:

For facilities outside Los Angeles County, notify the:

• State Office of Emergency Services Warning Center at (916) 845-8911; and
• Ask that they notify the CDPH duty officer

For facilities in Los Angeles County notify the:

• Los Angeles County Operator at (213) 974-1234; and
• Ask that they notify the on-call Health Facilities Inspection Division Supervisor

Attached is a document with winter weather health tips for vulnerable populations in relation to cold weather conditions.

For additional helpful information regarding cold weather, go to:

CDC Winter Weather

And for Current Weather Watches and Warnings:

Weather.gov - Watches Warnings and Advisories for California

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Original copy signed by Debby Rogers

Debby Rogers, RN, MS, FAEN
Deputy Director 

Attachment: Winter Weather Health Tips