Managing Emergency Situations on Group Outings

LifeQuest, Inc.

In an emergency, it is important to:

Have a SAFETY PLAN Be able to CONTACT and MEET WITH the following

people Your group Your staff The appropriate authorities

The LifeQuest, Inc. Outing SAFETY PLAN

Before going on an outing, each person will decide which group they will be in. This will be recognized by the staff who are attending the outing.

Each group should consist of 3 or more people, and at least ONE person in the group must have a cell phone.

The group member with the cell phone will have access to the cell phone number of staff, and staff will have access to their cell phone number. This is for emergency use ONLY.

Safety On Outings

It is important that staff know your plans if shopping or dining in an area with several restaurants or stores. This way, if you are unable to text or call staff, staff can know where to look for you.

Safety Plan, continued… The cell phone used by each group must be

working properly, and must be able to send/receive texts.

It should be explained to all group members that the use of cell phones in this manner is in the context of safety on outings only, and that neither staff nor members will abuse the possession of another’s phone number.

More info on the Safety Plan Each staff will be assigned groups to call—before

leaving on the outing, staff will know who is in what group, who has a cell phone, and who they are to call in case of emergency. The group leader will also know who their contact staff is.

Ex:

staffGroup

Group

Group staffGroup

Safety Information

It is important to follow the directions given to you once you have received a call/text regarding an emergency while on an outing. You may be asked to exit the building, or meet in a certain location, depending on the type of emergency.

Receiving an Emergency TextIn the event of an emergency, you will receive a

text of “911” followed by instructions such as:

Exit (to exit the building) Meet (in a specified location) Emergency-specific words such as “tornado”

If you receive a text instructing you to “exit”, you will exit and meet AT THE LIFEQUEST VANS

Receiving an Emergency Text, continued… If you are unable to exit or meet as

instructed, you are expected to do the following:

Send a text “911” to your designated staff if your group is still in a possibly dangerous situation—make sure you include the location, if possible

Send a text “safe” (and your location) to your designated staff if your group is not in a dangerous situation.

You will be instructed to meet with the group in order to determine that all individuals are accounted for in the emergency situation. This allows the appropriate authorities to know whether you are safe or in need of assistance. This communication could save your life!

The Importance of Meeting

* It is important to notify staff IMMEDIATELY if a member leaves the group!

Types of Emergencies

There are four types of emergencies that we will discuss in this presentation. In these types of emergencies, it will be your knowledge and ability to act quickly that will make a difference:

Medical Emergencies Fire/Building Safety Emergencies Severe Weather Dangerous Individual

Medical Emergency Medical Emergencies-one of your

group members may become ill, and you will need to notify staff. Minor medical emergencies

include: upset stomach, headache, sore throat, etc… someone is not feeling well and may need to return to the building

Major medical emergencies include: loss of consciousness, seizures, large/deep wounds

In cases of major medical emergencies, you should call 911, while another person contacts staff

Fire or Building Safety Issue

In the event of a fire/building safety issue, you will need to exit the building in an orderly fashion. Make sure your group is together at all times. You will need to text staff to let them know you are safe, and where you and your group are.

Severe Weather

In the event of severe weather, you will be notified by staff via text. You will be instructed to meet in the restrooms of the store or restaurant. If you are unable to meet with staff, you need to text staff once you are in a safe place, and again after the storm has passed to let staff know you are alright.

Dangerous Individual

While it is extremely rare, there may be a situation in which a dangerous individual is in the area. In these situations, it is important that you act quickly, instead of “freeze” in fear.

Dangerous Individual

If you are ever in a situation where it seems that a person is following you, or harassing you in any way, and you feel unsafe, you need to contact staff and let them know. Wait near an area where people are working, such as a cashier or customer service, until staff arrives.

Dangerous Individual

On June 21, 2013, while many members of the LifeQuest, Inc. group were on an outing in Greenville, NC, an individual with a gun randomly shot four people in the Walmart and Kellum Law Firm parking lot. Thankfully, the LifeQuest, Inc. group was not close enough to be affected by the incident—however, it is a good idea to know what to do should something like this ever happen.

“Run, Hide, Fight”If you are in a situation in which there is an active shooter

in the area, these three actions can save your life:

1. Run—find the nearest exit and leave. Get to a safe location and text staff that you are safe and away from the situation.

2. Hide—if you cannot exit the area, you need to hide. The best case scenario is being able to hide in a locked room, such as a bathroom. Be sure to be quiet/turn your cellphone ringer off.

3. Fight—this is ONLY if you cannot run or hide. If you choose to fight, try to get others to help you. Follow through with your actions.

Don’t Worry…excessivelyEmergency situations are scary, that’s

a fact.However, the purpose of this

presentation is not to bring up possible “scary” scenarios, but to prepare you. By being prepared, your chances of overcoming the situation and surviving increase GREATLY!

REMEMBER!!

In any emergency, it is highly important that staff know where you are and that you are safe! You must communicate this with your phone if staff cannot physically see or hear you!

Ways to Help Yourself… Whenever you enter a store or restaurant,

etc…, be mindful of where the exits and bathrooms are, in case you need to get there in a hurry.

Make sure your cell phone is able to alert you in case staff is trying to contact you!

Act QUICKLY in the event of an emergency. Don’t stand around and see what everyone else is doing, first.

Make sure your group stays together!

REVIEW1. How many people in a group NEED to have a cell phone?2. How many people should be in a group?3. What does the person need to be able to do on their cell phone?4. How many phone numbers will staff have during the outing?5. How many phone numbers will the group leader have during the

outing?6. What will staff text if there is an emergency, and the group should

leave the building?7. What will staff text if there is an emergency, and the group needs

to meet in a safe place?8. What should the group leader do if a member of their group

experiences a medical emergency?9. What should the group leader do if the group is unable to meet

with staff during an emergency, but are safe?10.What should the group leader do if the group is unable to meet

with staff during an emergency, and are still in the dangerous situation?

11.When should the group leader use the staff’s telephone number?12.What will staff do when notified of an emergency that affects the

group?13.what is the procedure in the event of a fire or building safety

issue?

REVIEW14.What is the procedure in the event of a dangerous individual? What

three actions do we need to remember?15.What is the procedure in the event of dangerous weather?16.Where does the group need to meet if instructed to exit the

building?17.What is the wrong way to respond to emergencies?18.Why do we need to review this information?19.Is it better to wait and see what everyone else is doing, or act

quickly to be safe?