EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

by Robert Porter, Director Lemont Twp. Park District

How would your park and recreation agency staff (full-time and part-time) react to a natural emergency or a disaster such as fire, floods, explosion, or a multiple injury situation? How many of your staff have any first aid training and at what level? How many of your staff have knowledge on how and where to shut off building utilities? Are emergency phone numbers posted on each phone? Have building safety zones been reviewed recently? Are flashlights and portable radios available? Does your agency have policies on public accident procedures and on the transportation of injured persons?

These are all solid questions that should be reviewed by each park and recreation agency. Emergency procedures and safety are sadly a low priority of importance to some agencies. It is an area that is quickly covered or totally forgotten in staff training orientation. It is always assumed, "it won't happen to us."

Lemont Township Park District unfortunately "had it happen to us" last June when a destructive tornado destroyed one square mile of homes, parks and properties. It struck on a warm sunny Sunday afternoon with less than five minutes of warning, leaving years of progress in ruin as well as leaving two persons dead. It was an average summer day when softball games were being played, swimming programs were held and special events conducted. There were over 400 persons in one park less than a mile and a half from the destruction zone.

It was fortunate that only a few lives were taken. It might have been 250 children had the tornado struck the swimming pool. The close call made our park district staff review our emergency procedures and trained manpower. When the tornado struck we had fourteen employees in the parks with programs. There was only four or 25% of the staff present that had any formal first aid training. There were only two staff members familiar with building safety zones and emergency procedures. Only one employee knew where all emergency equipment was kept. It was quite evident that we were too lax in our staff training. We are not ashamed to admit this for we hope our lesson will awaken other agencies.

Our park district is now establishing an in-house emergency procedures training for all full-time and seasonal employees. The program goes beyond first aid training. Staff are instructed on procedures in case of fire, electrical storms, tornados, flooding, explosions and even holdups. The staff is shown where first aid kits, fire fighting equipment, ropes, shovels, axes, and emergency equipment is kept. Employees (including females) are taught how to operate emergency equipment, how to cut off utilities if required, how to conduct emergency evacuations, and how to restore utilities. Emergency phone numbers are posted on each phone.

We encourage all parks and recreation agencies to review their emergency procedures and staff safety training. Disasters can strike any time and any place. It can happen at T-ball practice, mobile playgrounds, special events and anywhere. We were lucky this time. Next time we'll be ready. We hope you will be too.

PHOTO CREDIT: LEMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Illinois Parks and Recreation 16 March/April, 1977