Emergency Procedures — By Scenario
These written procedures cover the situations Scouting America’s National Camp Standards require a camp to plan for. They are coordinated with the Mendon Police and Fire Departments and shared with every registered unit leader before the event.
Lost or Missing Person
- Report to HQ immediately with name, description, and last-seen time and place.
- HQ calls an all-units headcount and buddy check and controls the parking and road access points.
- Searchers go out in pairs with radios to the last-known area — never alone.
- If not found quickly, or if water, woods, or roads are involved, HQ calls 911 and the administrators bring in Mendon Police.
Severe Weather & Lightning
- On a severe-weather warning, all Scouts and leaders move to the designated shelter — the steel-framed HQ building (shown as Admin / HQ (Storm Shelter) on the site map) as a unit with buddy pairs — bring the roster.
- Lightning — “When thunder roars, go indoors.” Shelter at the first thunder; wait 30 minutes after the last before resuming.
- Open fields, hilltops, and lone trees are off-limits during lightning.
- If no substantial building is within reach, a hard-topped vehicle with the windows up is a safe fallback — tents, open shelters, and metal bleachers are not.
- Stay sheltered until event leadership announces an official all-clear.
Fire & Wildfire
- Any uncontrolled fire: alert those nearby, call 911, and notify HQ.
- Fight a fire only if it is small and safe to, using staged extinguishers/water; otherwise evacuate upwind to open ground.
- Staff are briefed on their roles in the camp fireguard plan; campers are oriented to it at check-in.
- Campfires only in portable fire pits, and only with Mendon Fire Chief approval that weekend.
Medical Emergency & Illness
- Life-threatening: call 911 first, then HQ; give first aid within your training.
- All other care goes through the HQ first-aid station / camp health staff, who log every interaction.
- Communicable illness (vomiting/diarrhea outbreak, etc.): isolate those affected, reinforce handwashing, notify the health officer, and call the board of health if it spreads.
- Heat & hydration: in warm weather watch for heat exhaustion/heatstroke (and cold/hypothermia when chilly) — push water, rest in shade, cool the person, and call 911 for confusion, fainting, or hot, dry skin.
Wildlife Encounter
- Keep your distance; never feed or corner an animal. Store food sealed and away from sleeping areas.
- Report aggressive animals, or bites/stings with a reaction, to HQ; treat injuries at first aid.
- For a dangerous animal that will not leave, HQ contacts Mendon Police / animal control.
Hazardous Materials
- Fuel, propane, or chemical spill or fumes: move people upwind, keep ignition sources away, and notify HQ.
- For anything beyond a tiny spill, call 911 for the Fire Department — do not attempt cleanup without protection.
- Camp stoves and fuel are stored and used per their instructions; safety-data sheets are kept at HQ.
Intruder or Security Threat
- Report any unauthorized or threatening person to HQ at once; the administrators contact Mendon Police.
- Active threat: follow Run · Hide · Fight — get away if you can, shelter quietly if you can’t, and account for your unit when safe.
- This active-threat procedure is developed with the Mendon Police Department.
Vehicle & Traffic Incident
- Vehicle movement is restricted to approved windows and routes; parking staff direct all traffic.
- Any crash or injury on or near the site: secure the area, call 911 for injuries, and notify HQ.
Site Hazards & Restricted Equipment
- Stay within assigned zones and marked boundaries; report hazards (downed limbs, holes, wet crossings) to HQ.
- Tools and equipment that carry risk are used only by trained, authorized staff and kept secured when not in use.
Utility Shutoff
- Because this is an off-property site, the administrators (Mike Merolli and Jason Kuter) hold the contacts to immediately isolate any on-site utilities — water, propane, and generators.
- National Grid (event partner) is the contact for any electrical hazard; for downed lines, call 911 and keep everyone clear.
These procedures are provided to every registered unit before the event and posted at headquarters. Leaders: review them with your unit at your pre-camp meeting and at the on-site orientation.
