As spring approaches in 2026, senior living and retirement community administrators are planning not just social events and warmer-weather programs, but also how to keep residents safe during extreme weather, power outages, and related fire hazards. One important piece of that safety planning is fire watch, especially when electrical systems are stressed or when weather patterns become unpredictable. Preparing in advance can help senior living facilities meet expectations from authorities like the fire marshal while also protecting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
Extreme Weather, Power Outages, and Senior Living in 2025
Senior living and retirement communities were thrust into the spotlight in 2025 when severe weather and infrastructure challenges caused widespread power disruptions, underscoring vulnerabilities among older adults. Nearly half of all power outages in the United States during 2025 were driven by extreme weather events—including storms, heat events, and severe winds—placing extra strain on facilities that house seniors. These outages tended to last longer than in previous years, with the South averaging about 18.2 hours and the West about 12.4 hours, according to a year‑end analysis of weather-related power disruptions.
Those outages didn’t just affect comfort; they could directly affect residents’ well-being. Older adults are often more sensitive to temperature extremes, and power loss affects everything from life‑supporting medical equipment to lighting and fire-safety systems. A 2025 poll found that a significant majority of adults aged 50 and over had experienced at least one power outage related to severe weather or other emergencies, and many expressed concern about future events.
In one dramatic example from June 2025, extreme heat and equipment failures caused a power outage at an assisted living facility and an adjacent nursing home in Bethlehem, New York. Around 6,000–7,000 customers in the area were affected, and three residents were hospitalized due to conditions worsened by the loss of power before backup systems could stabilize conditions.
These events underscore why fire safety and emergency preparedness—including fire watch—should be a central consideration for senior living communities as spring approaches.
Understanding Fire Watch in Senior Living Facilities
In senior living and retirement communities, fire watch refers to the proactive monitoring of areas for fire hazards when regular fire safety systems are compromised or temporarily offline. This could include power outages, scheduled maintenance, or extreme weather that interferes with alarms, sprinklers, and electrical systems.
A fire marshal or local fire authority may require formal fire watch procedures when standard detection or suppression systems aren’t fully operational. These measures help ensure rapid detection and response to fire risks, which is particularly critical in communities where residents may have mobility challenges or require assistance with evacuation.
Why Spring Brings Unique Challenges
Spring weather can be unpredictable, with fluctuating temperatures, thunderstorms, high winds, and late-season snowstorms that can strain power infrastructure. For senior living facilities, these weather extremes can affect fire safety systems and make fire watch protocols more than just a compliance measure—they become a practical necessity.
Challenges facilities may face include:
- Loss of power to fire alarms and sprinkler systems during outages
- Difficulty in evacuating residents quickly if fire hazards occur
- Increased risk of electrical system failures during storms
- Temperature‑related stress on residents if HVAC systems fail
When these factors combine with extreme weather patterns, a robust fire watch strategy helps protect residents who may depend on reliable electrical systems for both comfort and medical care.
Fire Watch Planning: What Senior Living Communities Should Do
Preparing for fire watch in 2026 means planning for how extreme weather and outages could affect senior living environments. Fire marshal expectations and local regulations vary, but there are core elements that every community should include in its planning.
Here’s a fire watch preparedness checklist for senior living facilities this spring:
- Identify critical systems (smoke alarms, sprinklers, emergency lighting) and know how they’re backed up
- Assign trained fire watch personnel to monitor risk areas during outages or maintenance periods
- Coordinate with local fire authorities to clarify when fire watch is formally required
- Test backup power systems regularly (generators, UPS units) to ensure they kick in when needed
- Communicate plans with staff and residents so everyone knows procedures during outages or emergencies
Document fire watch duties and observations for regulators and risk management
The Role of Power Resiliency in Senior Safety
Some regions have taken steps to better protect senior facilities from outages. For example, Harris County, Texas, implemented a fire‑code amendment in early 2025 requiring nursing homes and assisted‑living facilities to have backup power systems to ensure essential services, such as air conditioning and medical equipment, remain online during outages.
These types of policies highlight how intertwined power, reliability, and life safety have become, especially for vulnerable populations. They also show how fire watch planning often goes hand in hand with broader resilience measures such as generators, routine drills, and emergency communication plans.
Looking Ahead: Spring 2026 and Beyond
As spring unfolds in 2026, senior living administrators should expect another season of fluctuating weather and potential stress on power systems. Fire watch isn’t just a regulatory requirement—it’s a best practice that keeps residents safe when other systems falter.
By incorporating fire watch into emergency preparedness plans, retirement communities can ensure they’re ready for whatever weather—and power anomalies—come their way, all while meeting expectations from fire marshals and protecting the residents entrusted to their care.
Contact National Firewatch
National Firewatch, a proud member of The Guard Alliance, has been helping retirement communities improve fire safety outcomes since 2010. We specialize in same-day deployments across the United States – sending teams of fire watch guards to most job sites within hours. If your team is reviewing vendors for 2026 or needs immediate fire watch service, please contact us.