News Summary
Crest Manor Assisted Living Facility in Florida is facing an emergency suspension following dangerous conditions due to air conditioning failures that forced evacuations. The situation escalated when temperatures in resident rooms exceeded safe levels, prompting action from the Agency for Health Care Administration. Reports reveal inadequate care and improper oversight, raising serious questions about the facility’s ability to meet safety standards for its residents.
Palm Beach County, Florida – Crest Manor Assisted Living Facility is facing an emergency suspension following a significant evacuation due to air conditioning failures that left residents in extreme heat. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) filed the emergency suspension order on June 12 after severe conditions were discovered at the facility.
The crisis began on May 27 when Crest Manor reported malfunctioning air conditioning units. Under these circumstances, many residents spent days in unsafe and unbearable conditions. Inspections revealed that temperatures in some resident rooms exceeded 80 degrees, with common areas reportedly reaching as high as 90 degrees.
On the evening of June 6, authorities were alerted when a resident contacted deputies regarding fighting among residents. Upon investigation, fire rescue crews found 14 rooms with temperatures higher than 81 degrees. This subsequently led to a cease-and-desist order for numerous rooms, and evacuations occurred on June 7 after it was deemed unsafe for residents to remain in the facility.
During the evacuation, some residents were relocated to other facilities without their personal items, such as clothing and belongings, causing additional distress among those affected. Reports indicate that the facility failed to provide adequate hydration during the period of excessive heat and did not regularly perform individual temperature checks on residents—important measures to ensure their safety and well-being.
Inspection findings highlighted that both the central air conditioning system and individual wall units were insufficient for the size of the building and failed to meet basic insulation standards. The fire marshal determined that the entire air conditioning system required replacement due to these inadequacies.
The lack of timely and appropriate response from Crest Manor’s administration drew significant concern from AHCA representatives who were monitoring the ongoing crisis. Allegations arose about unsupervised residents attempting to return to unsafe living quarters, raising further alarm regarding the facility’s management and oversight capability.
Prior to this incident, Crest Manor faced scrutiny for previous inspection lapses, including multiple Class III deficiencies that indicated potential safety risks to clients. In 2022, the facility received a $400 fine for failing to secure timely approval for its Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, demonstrating a history of compliance challenges.
Despite being licensed to accommodate 52 residents, the recent incidents have prompted questions about the facility’s ability to deliver adequate care and maintenance effectively. The facility’s administrator was uncooperative when approached by media representatives following the evacuation, leaving many unanswered questions regarding the ongoing issues at Crest Manor.
The serious air conditioning failures at Crest Manor demonstrate a critical situation that has directly impacted the health and safety of residents. As investigations continue, the facility’s capacity to ensure quality care remains under intense scrutiny.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Naples News: Florida Heat and Air Conditioner Settings
- Wikipedia: Heat Wave
- Sun Sentinel: Evacuations from Assisted Living Facility
- Google Search: Air Conditioning Health Risks
- News Press: Florida Summer Heat Wave and Air Conditioning
- Google Scholar: Air Conditioning Public Health
- Miami Herald: Climate Change and Local Environment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Climate Change
- Sun Sentinel: License Suspended for Assisted Living Facility
- Google News: Assisted Living Facilities Shutdowns
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
