Emergency Planning: As Important As Ever

Emergency planning. We’ve all heard the term, but what does it mean and why do cheer coaches NEED to make sure they do it? The simple answer is that it can literally save lives. What happens in the first few moments after an emergency situation arises is critical to the outcome of the event. Nobody likes to think about emergencies and disasters happening at THEIR school or gym…but the truth is that they DO happen everywhere and CAN happen anywhere. Get a plan in place now, because it’s better to be safe than sorry! How Emergency Plans Help Having a plan in place helps people stay calm. Emergency plans can give helpers confidence. Relaying correct information to emergency operators helps get the right responders. When people know what to do, they can stabilize the situation quicker. There are so many situations that could happen, and it is impossible to plan for every detail for every potential disaster. There are, however, some events that you can prepare for. The hope is that training and planning can be applied to any event, even if it isn’t for the originally intended emergency. Some Things To Plan For Natural Disasters In the event of severe or dangerous weather, or other natural disasters, you should include these key topics in your emergency plan: Let parents know where you’ll go if there is a natural disaster that requires evacuation. This is often called the “safe house’ or “shelter’. Let students know where to head if they get separated from the group. Have an evacuation plan in place, including assigning a person to make sure everyone gets out, including checking the restrooms and locker rooms. Injuries If one or more members of your squad are seriously injured at your facility or during travel, you should cover these key topics in your emergency plan: What are the most important details to convey to the emergency operator? This includes your exact location and the nature of the injury. If you are at an event, make sure you know what building you are in and, if applicable, what floor and hall. Who is responsible for placing the call or tasking it to someone else? Include initial steps and tips that your team should follow before the emergency responders arrive. One tip to follow is that you should never move a person that has a head, back or neck injury (unless you need to remove them from immediate danger). Emergencies On-Site If there is an emergency at your facility, you are responsible for the safety of your team. Possible emergencies include a fire, an intruder or violent attack, or an evacuation for safety reasons. Consider these topics: Where are all of the exits located? What does “lockdown’ mean? Who is in charge of contacting parents? Each emergency plan will be unique based on a specific geographic location and the size of each facility. Schools will already have the basics of an emergency plan drafted, but coaches should still add to it with details that cover their squad. For more tips on general emergency planning, visit www.ready.gov. For additional information on emergency preparedness for cheerleading, visit www.nationalcheersafety.com.