Review of Fire System and Life Safety Programs/Processes at the East Orange VA Medical Center in New Jersey

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a preliminary result advisory memorandum to inform the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Under Secretary for Health of significant and recurring fire system and life safety deficiencies identified during a Healthcare Facility Inspection of the East Orange VA Medical Center in New Jersey, conducted in August 2025. These deficiencies pose ongoing risks to the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.

Key issues identified include a fire-extinguishing standpipe that had not been tested every five years, fire barrier doors that could not be closed, and incorrect exit signage. These findings mirror and, in some cases, repeat deficiencies previously cited in the facility’s fiscal years 2024 and 2025 Annual Workplace Evaluations (AWEs) and The Joint Commission’s 2024 inspection. Prior concerns also included untested fire-extinguishing systems in the canteen kitchen, uninspected fire-rated doors, and persistent signage errors.

The Interim Facility Director acknowledged the issues, and the Associate Director submitted a corrective action plan on September 17, 2025, with target completion dates extending through fiscal year 2028. Interim life safety measures have been implemented, but the OIG expressed concern about the protracted remediation timeline and the significant resources required to maintain safety during this period.

The Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 2 Director was previously informed of these deficiencies as documented in earlier AWEs, and communicated them to the facility’s leadership. Despite this awareness, the recurrence of issues suggests a need for stronger oversight and more immediate corrective action.

The OIG is not taking further action at this time but requests the Under Secretary for Health evaluate the adequacy of current oversight and ensure timely implementation of all necessary measures to safeguard the facility’s environment.