Having emergency and evacuation plans are probably the most important plans your club can have, but they do need to be communicated and displayed so that in the case of an emergency, the procedures roll out smoothly. Many clubs wait until they have a serious incident before they establish plans which is unfortunate. Most actions are quite simple:

Your Emergency Plan

The following are some things to think about for inclusion in your plan:

• Knowing who will be in charge and the roles that varying people need to play beforehand (this may have to be allocated for every team and induction may be required)
• Having access to a telephone that works (Note in areas that where mobiles are out of range for 000, try 112)
• Having the venues street address visible near the phone as well as the club phone if applicable
• Emergency telephone numbers being displayed close to the telephone e.g. Ambulance, police, hospital 
• Having details of prior medical conditions and the necessary responses in an emergency
• Ensuring clear access for emergency vehicles
• Provision of first aid kits, first aid rooms, ice
• Employing a first aid provider in the case of an event where insufficient first aid is available e.g. St John's Ambulance

Click Here for basic Medical Emergency Planning templates and information.

Your Evacuation Plan

In the case of an evacuation plan the club should include and/or consider:

• Contact with the agency with which the lease arrangement is held e.g. council to clarify and review their evacuation procedures and broader plans for the venue if in a high fire risk location 
• How the club will alert members, spectators to evacuate e.g. access to a PA system or alarm
• Display of the evacuation plan and how the procedures will be communicated to members
• Exit signs that are lit (and working)
• Who will be in charge of the evacuation - display of Fire Warden details 
• Display of the names and photographs of the people who will take charge if needed
• What areas need to be checked e.g. toilets and who will be responsible for undertaking that check
• Where everyone evacuated should gather
• Access to fire extinguishers that are maintained and have had their scheduled check
• Placement of a fire blanket in kitchen areas