Recreation & Wellness

OUTDOOR TURF FIELDS Emergency Procedure Plan

In preparation for a life threatening situation, staff should know his/her role in the emergency action plan. Time is a critical factor. There are five basic roles of the emergency team:

Immediate Care of the User & Equipment Retrieval

• The first responder should be certified in First Aid and CPR as established by the American Red Cross. If additional equipment is needed (first aid kit, AED, etc.), a person who is familiar with its location should retrieve it. If basic life support is being provided, it should continue until EMS arrives.

Equipment Retrieval

• First Aid and AED are located in buildings B & D (IM/Rec Storage Pavilions) and can be retried by staff. During open recreation (drop in use) you can call the Kelly Family Sports Center for assistance; 616-331-8940

Activation of EMS

Dial 911 to obtain EMS by phone or cellular phone. Provide the dispatcher with:

1. Name, location, and telephone number of caller.
2. Number of injured person (s)
3. Condition of injured person(s)
4. First Aid treatment initiated by first responder
5. Directions to the scene of injury
6. Any additional information requested.

Direction of EMS

• South Complex Address—4466 West Campus Dr. Allendale, MI 49401
• If needed, a staff member should assist in directing EMS towards the scene. They should be familiar with the facility and be able to accurately direct EMS to the location. Additional instructions are provided for each location in the following sections.

Fill out an accident/injury report form

A non-emergency medical event is any situation that does not pose an immediate threat to the injured. When in doubt, treat it as an emergency situation.

• For cases such as minor bumps, bruises, and lacerations that pose no further threat, contact the Student Supervisor on duty to provide first aid and assistance. The first responder should be certified in First Aid and CPR as established by the American Red Cross.
• All accidents/injuries that occur at the turf fields that call for first aid require an Accident Report Form.
• If injuries are not life threatening or serious, advise the individual to go to the nearest Medical Center. If there is doubt, begin the emergency procedure plan.
• First Aid Kits are available from the supervisor.
• Ice is available in the field 3 storage room, behind the press box..

In the event of a fire, the Turf Building is monitored by an automatic detection system, supported by a “Pull Alarm” system. When triggered, a repeating horn signal will begin, with strobe-light signals in some sections of the building, and an indication of the problem on the control panel.

Initiate Emergency Announcements

EVACUATION ROUTES:

• Lower, Field Level: Evacuate the Locker rooms, Multi-purpose rooms, and Track to the practice football fields, according to the posted evacuation route map in your area or to Fieldhouse.
• Upper, Main Level: Evacuate the area to lot F according to the posted evacuation route map in your area.
• Front Desk: One desk worker will assist with evacuation after making calls according to the Information Procedure. However, evacuate your area if needed for safety.

RE-ENTRY PROCEDURE:

• Instruct facility users to stand away from the building, and do not re-enter until Public Safety or other emergency professionals have given the “All Clear” signal. In extreme weather, evacuees should be instructed to proceed to the Fieldhouse.

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:

• Handicap exit from the Upper, Main Level out the main doors, then head to Lot F or Lot E, to the Fieldhouse. Or there are doors behind the front desk on the North side of the building. Then, exit to the practice football fields. The handicap exits for the Lower Field Level are on the North side of the building, by the video board. Then, exit to the practice football fields. Also, there is an exit on the South side of the building by the training room. Then, exit to Lot F.

In preparation for a severe a weather situation involving lightening, thunderstorms, or a tornado, staff should know their role in the emergency action plan. Time is a critical factor. Along with the Grand Valley State University Public Safety, there are seven basic roles of the emergency team:

Establishing Chain of Command that identifies the individual(s) who have the authority to remove individuals from the field or a given activity.

• University staff responsible for an outdoor events should establish and review a chain of command, as well as the entire lightning and tornado/severe weather policies and procedures as part of pre-planning activities. The responsible staff should also review the established chain of command on the day of an event when inclement weather is a possibility.

Establish Designated Weather Watcher/Monitoring

• This is someone who actively watches for signs of threatening weather and informs those who are in charge of removing individuals from the field
• The designated weather watcher will have the duty to be aware of approaching storms and to watch for signs of dangerous weather. In the event there is dangerous weather in the area, it is the weather watcher’s responsibility to inform the event manager of the potential danger associated with the incoming weather and make recommendations regarding suspension of event activities. The weather watcher may utilize television radar reports, internet radar reports, and/or radio/telephone communications with the Grand Valley State University Police Department (GVPD). Monitoring is to be done before, during, and after suspension of any outdoor event. The weather watcher will also watch the skies for flashes of lightning and listen for their accompanying thunderclap.
• Have a list of safe areas for people to find shelter from the dangerous weather (provided below)

Designated Shelter Locations

The south complex and outdoor fields are isolated with little to no safe shelter areas in place. Below are the locations that if proper monitoring of weather is done, designated staff can assist in directing evacuating participants to.

• South Complex restrooms and locker rooms (limited space)
• The Kelly Family Sports Center
• The Fieldhouse
• We also encourage those who are evacuating due to lightening, to return to their personal vehicles that are parked in Lot H.

Use specific criteria for cancellation, suspension, and resumption of activities (i.e. 30 minutes delay for every lightning strike)

• Once signs of dangerous weather have been demonstrated to the designated on-site weather watcher, they will relay this information using the established chain of command. The weather watcher may use an electronic lightning strike detector (if available) or the “Flash-to-Bang” method to estimate how close the lightning strike is to the event area.
• Outdoor events will be canceled and individuals will be instructed to seek shelter if a lightning strike is detected six miles or less from the event. (See 30-30 rule below). Outdoor events will also be canceled if a tornado alert is issued.
• Use the recommended lightning safety strategies (provided) and evacuation strategies of the area to a designated location
• The preferred method of determining a lightning strike is using an electronic lightning detection device if available. However, the Flash-to-Bang method for detecting lightning in the area is also acceptable. To utilize this method, the weather watcher begins counting when a lightning flash is spotted. The counting is stopped when the associated clap of thunder is heard. The number of seconds elapsed between the flash of lightning and bang of thunder is then divided by 5. This number then represents the distance, in miles, from the lightning hit. For example, when the Flash-to-Bang count reaches 30 seconds, the lightning has struck 6 miles away. The 30-30 rule states that when the Flash-to-Bang count is 30 seconds or below, all activity should be stopped and all individuals should seek a safe shelter. The other component of the 30-30 rule involves waiting 30 minutes after the last lightning flash is seen or the last roll of thunder is heard to resume activity. It may seem safe to return to activity after the storm has passed, but this is not true. Lightning can and does strike at least 10 miles away from the storm even after the clouds have moved on. Therefore, every time lightning is seen or thunder is heard, the 30 minute clock should be reset.

Grand Valley State University Public Safety Role

• In the event that a tornado has been sighted and may be approaching the area, a warning emergency will be issued and the university sirens will sound. All persons in the affected area are to seek immediate shelter. Public Safety Services officers will drive through campus of affected areas advising those to seek shelter.

• TBD
• In the event of extended power failure, instruct users to remain calm and exit the facility. KTB Student Manager on duty will clear the building and lock up until power resumes.
• Planned outages will be scheduled on EMS and staff will notified beforehand.
• Call Campus Police at 1-3255 and Campus Utilities Building at 1-3258.