Students Camp Emergency Procedures
Emergency Preparedness Plans (EPP)
In the event of an emergency situation, SpringHill has established plans for the following scenarios that will minimize the risk or harm to any camper, summer staff, or guest on camp. Those scenarios include, medical, weather, missing camper, intruder, active shooter/hostage, and fire.
General Guidelines
Stay calm. The more anxiety you show, the more the group will have. Be creative.
Immediately account for all campers in your group in any emergency situation.
Never leave campers unattended (even to look for a lost one) or put them at risk.
As you move around camp throughout the day, be aware of where the nearest permanent shelter and tornado shelters are located.
In an emergency situation do not communicate with anyone outside the camp (text, call, email) until you receive the OK to do so by the Incident Commander.
Trust the judgment of the Incident Commanders and follow their instructions.
These situations are not free time! IF you are not directly responsible for a group of campers, find a group that you can help.
Do not call around camp or on the radio to find out if the event is real. Respond as if it is until the “All Clear” is given.
EPP: Incident Commanders
Incident Commanders
Incident Commanders are the designated “voice” for SpringHill during an emergency. They are responsible for all communication and decision-making during the event.
Incident Commander is: Zac Hyde
Auxiliary Incident Commanders may also include other full-time SpringHill staff as well the Health Services staff, and the Incident Commander is responsible for integrating and in general defaulting to emergency response authorities as required for an emergency response.
Important phone numbers include:
Main Switchboard #: 231-734-2616
New Frontiers Infirmary #: 231-836-1080
Copper Country Infirmary #: 231-836-1081
EPP: Weather
Weather is monitored 24/7 by Incident Commanders and other designated SpringHill staff.
Storm Watch or Rain Only
In general, all activities will continue running unless notification is given otherwise by the Incident Commander. Weather conditions will be actively monitored in case the situation escalates, and all staff should be extra vigilant should additional action be required.
Typical Thunderstorm (heavy rain, lightning) Notification:
The Incident Commander will notify camp of the weather conditions and action steps.
Action Steps:
Current activities should be stopped within 10 minutes.
Campers and Summer Leaders should head to the nearest permanent shelter or rainy day area. Avoid tent structures, trees, etc.
Identify the nearest tornado shelter location should the storm intensify.
An “All Clear” will be given by the incident commander when normal activities can resume.
Severe Weather (> 40 MPH winds) Notification:
The Incident Commander will notify camp of the weather conditions and action steps.
Action Steps:
Depending on the factors involved, the Incident Commander will give direction as to what specific action steps are to be taken. An “All Clear” will be given when normal activities can resume.
Tornado Notification:
The Incident Commander will notify camp of the weather conditions and action steps.
Actions Steps:
Current activities should be stopped immediately.
Campers and Summer Leaders should head to the nearest designated tornado shelter.
If a Summer Leader deems there is not enough time to get to a designated tornado shelter, they should go to the nearest permanent shelter or ditch. Assume the face down, hands-covering-head position. Stay away from windows.
An “All Clear” will be given by the incident commander when normal activities can resume.
EPP: Weather (Tornado Shelter Locations)
Copper Country Office Basement Copper Country Trading Post Basement Copper Country Dining Hall Bathrooms Forts Downstairs
Norway Bathhouse
Copper Country Craft House Meadowlands Bathhouse
Endeavor Center (Locker Rooms) Peaks Basement
Townhouse Basement
Lothlorien Bathhouse
Lillie Station Bathrooms
Storybrook Shower House
Storybrook Bath House
Creekside Basement
Pine Ridge Basement
Site Office Basement
Lakeside House Basement
Auditorium (Interior)
EPP: Missin Person
Includes anytime a camper is unaccounted for, has wandered off unauthorized or has ran away. The search proximity for the camper should start in their last known location and spread outward from there (i.e. “wagon wheel” method).
Initial Steps:
Check the immediate area and ask others nearby if they have any information on where the camper may have gone.
Do not leave other campers alone or leave the area (missing camper may return looking for you). Involve other Summer Leaders who are available to help.
If camper is not located after 5 minutes, use the following notification plan.
Notification:
Contact an Incident Commander by radio, phone or sending another person.
State your location first and that you have a “Missing Person.” Give the initials and brief description of the camper and what they are wearing.
Action Steps:
Health Services at Overnight Camp or Site Leader at Day Camp will review the camper’s health form for any pertinent information that may affect the urgency of the situation.
The Incident Commander will lead and direct the search from one location. Available Summer Leaders (not responsible for other campers) will make themselves available to the Incident Commander who will assign search locations as needed.
If the camper is not located after an additional 15 minutes, the Incident Commander will call 911 for additional search support. 911 may be called prior to the 15 minute window if appropriate (ex: there is a belief that the individual has left SpringHill property).
An “All Clear” will be given by the incident commander when normal activities can resume.
EPP: Fire (Radio Call: Code Red)
Building Fire Notification:
Contact an Incident Commander by radio, phone or sending another person.
State your location first and that there is a “Building Fire.”
Actions Steps:
Evacuate immediately and move away from the building.
The Incident Commander or another assigned staff member will come to the location to access the situation and take appropriate steps.
If the fire is containable, put it out with the nearest fire extinguisher. However, don’t take chances if you are unsure.
An “All Clear” will be given when normal activities can resume. Report any fire, big or small.
Forest Fire Notification:
Contact an Incident Commander by radio, phone or sending another person. State your location first and that there is a “Forest Fire.”
The Incident Commander will notify all of camp that there is a “Forest Fire” and give further instructions
Action Steps:
Stop activities immediately.
Move your group to the nearest designated evacuation location. An “All Clear” will be given when normal activities can resume.
Designated evacuation locations:
Storybrook Luggage Pavilion (EV1) New Frontiers Main Entrance (EV2) North of Site Office Entrance (EV3)
In the event that the property must be evacuated, it will be done under the direction of the Local Emergency Management Director and SpringHill Camp Leadership. Evacuation of the property would occur ONLY if there is an extreme threat such as a fire spreading or a potential of extreme danger to campers who remain on the property.
EPP: Other Scenarios
While these address the most common emergency scenarios that could arise, this is not an exhaustive list. For any other incidents criminal or otherwise that occur, the on-site incident commander should be notified and will provide additional steps that may include contacting the authorities.