Kee-Mo-Kee Policies and Procedures
Emergency Procedures
This section contains the following general emergency procedures and policies:
General Emergency Procedures
Weekly Procedures
Emergency Evacuation
Crisis Management Policy
This section also contains specific procedures for the following situations:
Tornado / Severe Storm
Missing Camper
Fire
Injuries
Illnesses / Epidemics
Intruders on Site
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General Emergency Procedures
 Each week the Camp Director should assign a senior staff member to be the Emergency
Organizer for that week.
 The Board of Directors should be notified about any emergency as soon as it is reasonable to
do so. The Camp Director should attempt to contact the following (if the first person is not
available, then try the next):
o
o
o
o
o
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Board Chairperson
Board Vice-Chairperson
Program Committee Chairperson
Property Committee Chairperson
Publicity Committee Chairperson
Any other board member
 A list of all the members of the Board of Directors, and their phone numbers, should be
posted by the phone in the Office and the Kitchen.
 The Ontario Camping Association as well as the Conference Office should also be informed
in a timely fashion.
 A sheet with all emergency phone numbers, and the camp’s 911 address (9581 Glendon
Drive), must be posted by the phone in the Office and the Kitchen. The emergency
information should be printed in large letters and posted in a very visible location.
 Air horns should be stored in the closet just inside the Office door for quick access.
 A portable radio with good batteries should be stored in the office in case of power loss.
 The Camp Director and Health Care Provider should carry walkie-talkies so they can be
located quickly when needed.
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General rules in all emergencies
Remain calm
This is the most important rule for keeping an emergency from getting worse. Your composure
will give the campers and fellow staff members reassurance that things are being handled
properly. Also try to keep your campers calm.
Always know where your campers are
In an emergency it is important that you move all your campers quickly to the agreed upon
location. It is your responsibility that they get there quickly for counting.
Always keep your emergency whistle with you
If you are the first to discover an emergency situation, blow your whistle to alert others.
Always keep your flashlight handy
Emergencies come day or night, and you need to be ready. If an emergency happens in the
middle of the night you must be able to organize and move your campers quickly.
Move quickly
It is your responsibility to get the campers moving in a quick, orderly manner. Do not assume
that it’s a drill and you can take your time. The Emergency Organizer and/or Camp Director will
be waiting to ensure that all cabins and campers are accounted for.
EMERGENCY SIGNALS
3 blasts = Emergency
Air horns will indicate that there is an emergency. For any type of emergency, the standard
signal is 3 long, equally spaced blasts on the air horn. This is the international signal of
distress.
When you hear the emergency signal, Leaders should gather up the kids in their cabin and
proceed quickly to the breezeway. Campers that are separated from their cabin groups (during
free time, for example) should proceed quickly to the breezeway on their own.
1 blast = check in
When there is a need to gather the staff during an emergency (for a check-in or to sound an all
clear), this will be signalled with one long blast of the air horn.
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Weekly Procedures
 Each week the Camp Director should assign a senior staff member to be the Emergency
Organizer for that week. The person assigned should be very clear about exactly what their
responsibilities are. The Camp Director and Emergency Organizer must work together as a
team in any emergency. In general, the Emergency Organizer is responsible for counting and
directing all staff and campers, and the Camp Director is responsible for contacting
emergency personnel, contacting board members, and directing emergency personnel when
they arrive.
 Each week the Camp Director and the Emergency Organizer will create and have readily
available a list of all staff and campers that will be on site that week.
 The Camp Director and Emergency Organizer will conduct a safety inspection of the camp
together before the campers arrive. The safety inspection will be documented using a
checklist (see Appendix A for a sample). Check for the following:
o Check smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in each building.
o Check that emergency information is posted by the phone in the Dining Hall and
the Office.
o Check the air horns and radio in the office.
o Check that the Health Care Provider has a sufficient number of first aid kits and
search kits ready.
o Look for any safety hazards.
 Safety Inspection documentation will be maintained in the office for 7 years.
 The Camp Director and Emergnecy Organizer will organize an emergency drill the evening
of the first night at camp. The campers should recognize the emergency signal (3 long blasts)
and they should know what to do (proceed quickly to the breezeway).
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Emergency Evacuation
When to Evacuate
When a site is deemed to be unsafe, potentially posing a threat to the health and well-being of the
participants and staff, it must be evacuated. In some situations such as fire and explosion, the
threat is immediately apparent and action must be taken immediately. In other situations, such as
chemical spills or epidemics, the threat may not be immediately apparent, and in some cases,
evacuation may not be necessary. Staff are advised to always err on the side of caution when
making this determination.
The evacuation site may vary based upon the nature of the emergency. If the campsite itself is
unsafe (e.g. fire), then evacuation proceeds immediately to the playing field. In other cases the
campers may be directed to wait in Beck Hall until transportation arrives. In case of an epidemic
or prolonged loss of power, the parents or emergency contacts may be called to come and pick up
the campers. In other cases, if the site must be abandoned faster than that, then a bus should be
called to transport the campers to a safe location, such as the Community Centre or Komoka
United Church.
Evacuation Plan
 Evacuation alarm – 3 long blasts on the air horn. This is the standard emergency signal
used in all cases of emergency
 Evacuation site and route – When the alarm is heard, cabin leaders should collect up their
campers and proceed quickly to the breezeway. At the breezeway the Emergency
Organizer will direct people depending on the type of emergency – either to Beck Hall or
out to the playing field.
 Attendance procedures at evacuation site – Each cabin leader will count the campers in
their cabin, and one of the leaders will report the count to the Emergency Organizer.
 Return signal – When it is deemed to be safe to return to the campsite, the Camp Director
or Emergency Organizer will sound the all clear.
 Drill procedures – Each week an emergency drill will be organized so that the campers
are familiar with the procedures. See the information on emergency drills in the weekly
procedures, above.
 Location of fire extinguishers – There are fire extinguishers in each of the main buildings
and in each cabin near the door. Please refer to the map in Appendix A.
Staff Responsibilities
Director and/or Designate
 Contact emergency personnel (fire, police, etc.)
 Arrange for the transportation of campers and staff
 Communicate with the Chair of the Board of Directors and parents of the campers
 Assist staff with the supervision of children at evacuation site
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Emergency Organizer
 Informs staff of the type of emergency
 Directs staff and campers where to go, what to do
 Collects attendance information from staff
Camp Health Care Provider
 Bring medical forms, first aid kits
Programmers/Counsellors
 Check all buildings for children
 Escort children to evacuation site
 Take attendance at evacuation site, inform the Emergency Organizer
 Supervise the children at evacuation site until re-entry
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Crisis Management Policy
Principles
Inherent in Camp Kee-Mo-Kee’s commitment to the health and well-being of participants is a
responsibility to ensure that, in the event of a crisis, systems and processes are in place to protect
all those involved and the risk is minimized.
Further, it is necessary for Camp Kee-Mo-Kee to protect its integrity and reputation by ensuring
responsible actions are taken and procedures are properly followed during and after a crisis.
Camp Kee-Mo-Kee will:

Provide standard, clearly articulated written procedures to allow staff to deal effectively with
a crisis;
 Provide a communication plan which will ensure information reaches all appropriate internal
and external parties;
 Ensure that all staff understand and are trained on the procedures and communication plan;
Definition
A crisis is defined as any threat or event that creates chaos and, potentially, suffering. It is
generally an isolated incident, which interrupts the normal patterns of work.
Types of Crisis
Crisis can be categorized into two types: life-threatening and non-life threatening.
I. Life-Threatening Crisis
This type of crisis is characterized by an immediate threat to the health and well-being of the
participants or staff and must be treated as an emergency situation.
II. Non-Life Threatening Crisis
In this type of crisis, the health and well-being of participants and staff is not in immediate
danger, however, the situation threatens to disrupt the normal operations or have a negative
impact on the reputation of Camp Kee-Mo-Kee.
Procedures for Handling a Life-Threatening Crisis
(Serious injury or death, serious fire or other life threatening emergency)
Dealing with a life-threatening crisis effectively requires advance preparation, speed of action
and a great deal of common sense on the part of the staff person in charge. The following phases
of action will enable staff to prepare themselves for such an occurrence, and act swiftly.
Phase 1-Stabilizing the Crisis
The first thing that must be done is to stabilize the crisis by removing the threat, removing the
individual or individuals from the threat, and/or accessing the emergency support required. Staff
must follow the guidelines on the following page.
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Attend to Victim(s)
If the crisis involves injuries, immediate steps must be taken to avoid further injury and to protect
the victim(s) until emergency medical services arrive. Victim(s) should not be moved unless
their safety is threatened without immediate action.
Call for Emergency Assistance
Life-threatening crises almost always require emergency assistance appropriate to the situation.
The Camp Nurse is notified immediately. EMS must be called immediately as well as any other
relevant emergency service. If children need to be transported by ambulance for emergency
treatment, a staff person must be assigned to accompany them. Emergency numbers must be
listed on the “Emergency Contact Numbers” list found posted at every phone. When notifying
emergency services, you must provide the following information:
 Type of emergency
 Location
 Easiest access to the site
 Your name and phone number
If it is safe, have someone wait at the scene of the emergency.
Phase 2-Preliminary Dissemination of Information
Once emergency services have arrived, and there is no further risk to staff or participants,
preliminary information on the crisis must be distributed to all the appropriate people. The
following must be contacted within one hour of the crisis.
1. The Chair of the Camp Board of Directors
2. The Parents of the Injured Child/Children—the parents of the injured children must be
contacted. The camp nurse or camp director must inform them of the incident, the extent
of the injuries and where the child has been taken for emergency treatment. Parents may
only be given confirmed information about their own children and the incident. Names of
injured children may not be released until their parents have been notified.
The director will assign staff to deal with the following:
 Monitor the road into the camp in order to record all of those who are coming in
and out (eg. Parents, emergency services, media)
 Fill out the accident/incident report form
 “crowd control”
 Collect all written information and file it
 Collect the Senior Staff and communicate information to them
 Collect the staff and communicate the information to them
Phase 3-Secondary Dissemination of Information
During the hours and days that follow a crisis, the Camp Director is responsible for gathering and
updating as much information as possible about the emergency and making sure the information
gets to the appropriate parties. This requires specific reports about the circumstances causing the
crisis, how it was handled and how it affects ongoing operations.
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1. The primary tool for documenting and reporting factual information about the emergency
is the “Accident/Incident Report”.
2. Parents—in this phase, parents of all the children registered at the camp must be informed
of the incident. The Camp Director is responsible for direct contact with the parents to
ensure that they receive correct and consistent information. Only confirmed information
must be given, with no speculation as to the cause.
3. In the event of a serious injury or death of a camper or staff person, the director (or
designate) will inform the Conference Camp Committee at the earliest opportunity, as
well as the Ontario Camping Association.
4. News Media—Camp staff do not have the authority to contact the media with regard to a
crisis. This is the responsibility of the Camp Director who, in consultation with the chair
of the board of directors, may in his/her discretion, authorize a staff member to release
specific factual information to the media. This could include the time and date of the
incident who was involved, action for dealing with the incident and the Kee-Mo-Kee
policies for dealing with such incidents.
Release of Names
Parents of the injured children must be notified before the names are released. On-the-scene
news personnel may attempt to obtain identification through other means and therefore staff must
be watchful of such attempts.
Following a traumatic event, the chaplain on-call will be immediately notified to come to the
camp to offer pastoral care and counseling to anyone in need.
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Tornado / Severve Storm Procedures:
Storm Warning: Means that storms or tornadoes have been spotted in the area. Take cover!
Storm Watch: Means that a storm may develop in the area. Keep watch!
If there is a Tornado or Severe Storm Warning in effect for the area (listen to the local news) then
all camp activities should be restricted to the main camp buildings or the cabins. If there is a
Storm Watch in effect, then hikes, outtripping, and off-camp activities should be cancelled or
postponed. Any time you hear thunder, get indoors.
The Camp Director and/or Emergency Organizer will determine if a tornado threat is present, and
sound the alarm - 3 long blasts.
When you hear the Emergency Signal:
 Proceed to the breezeway. The Emergency Organizer will direct you to go into Beck Hall.
 Organize your campers very quickly, ensure that they are all there, and move them to Beck
Hall very quickly. Let the Emergency Organizer know that your cabin is all there (or notify
them of any missing camper).
 In Beck Hall get the campers under the tables, as far away from the windows as possible, and
have them curl up in a fetal position, holding on to each other very tightly. Leaders are
responsible for protecting the camper bundles, holding the campers very tightly.
 When the storm is past, assess the damage and injuries. If there are any serious injuries or
missing people, call 911 immediately.
 If you don’t think you can make it to Beck Hall...
 Have the campers hold each other’s hands tightly, with a leader on each end, and lie in a fetal
position, face down, in a ravine, ditch, or low lying area. Stay away from trees.
 Keep the campers down until you’re sure that the danger has past.
 Once the danger has passed, count the campers, assess injuries, and quickly go to Beck Hall
to check in and receive emergency first aid (if needed).
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Missing Camper Procedures:
Go directly to the Camp Director or Emergency Organizer and inform them that a camper has
been verified missing.
The Director and/or Emergency Organizer will sound the alarm - 3 long blasts.
One exception - if all the kids are in bed, then sound the check in signal - 1 long blast. One
cabin leader from each cabin should check in at the breezeway, the other should stay with the
cabin group.
When you hear the Emergency Signal:
Leaders and Cabin Groups:
 Proceed to the breezeway. Organize your campers quickly, ensure that they’re all there.
 Check in with the Emergency Organizer at the breezeway. Give them your cabin count. The
Emergency Organizer will direct you to wait in Beck Hall during the search. One Cabin
Leader should remain with the campers; the other Leader should prepare for searching.
 The Emergency Organizer will inform the searchers about the situation, description of
camper, and any special medical needs (if applicable).
 Get a search partner and begin running search patterns as directed by the Emergency
Organizer.
 Other staff:
 The camp Health Care Provider will report to the breezeway with first aid kits, search kits,
and a list of campers’ special medical needs.
 Program Staff will prepare for the search and report to the breezeway.
 The Camp Director will remain in the office to make or receive phone calls. The police (911)
should be advised that a search is under way.
 The Emergency Organizer will report to the breezeway, get the information on the missing
camper, consult with the Health Care Provider re. special needs, then organize the search
using the Program Staff and Leaders that have reported in. Note that some staff should be
directed to stay in Beck Hall with the other campers.
Running the search:
Two people are required for each search area (ideally create pairs with 1 searcher of each sex).
These people should remain together while searching until the camper is found. Take a search
kit with each pair of searchers (contains a flashlight, whistle, water bottle, some first aid supplies,
and flag tape for marking searched areas).
Searched buildings and rooms should be secured, doors closed and locked. Mark the doors with
the flag tape to indicate that the area has been searched.
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Search Areas:
1. Upper Cabins and Archery Field
2. Lower Cabins, Animal House, along fence.
3. Pool, Chapel, volleyball court, pump house.
4. Dining hall, Beck Hall, cabin 9, Office, shower shack.
5. Down camp road to highway, fire break.
6. Sports field, along ravine.
7. From behind the upper kybo to the forks.
8. On the highway between Komoka and Mt. Brydges (take a car).
If missing camper is located:
 The searchers and camper should return and notify the Emergency Organizer as quickly as
possible.
 If the camper is injured or uncooperative, the same sex leader will stay with the missing
camper while the other leader returns to notify the Emergency Organizer.
 The camp Health Care Provider will be notified of any medical needs.
 One long blast will call the searchers back to the breezeway.
 The Camp Director will call the police back to notify them that the camper was found.
After each half hour (or more often if necessary):
 One long blast will call the searchers back to the breezeway for check-in.
 If the camper has not been found, the Camp Director will notify the police and parents.
 Staff will continue to run search patterns as directed by the Emergency Organizer.
 When the police arrive, the Camp Director will direct them to the Emergency Organizer.
When searching for a missing camper:
 Your safety comes first: Pay careful attention to your own well being. If you are exhausted
take a rest. Never put yourself in danger to rescue a missing camper. If they are in a
dangerous spot, wait for the police or fire department to arrive.
 Keep your eyes peeled: The missing camper could be hiding or unconcious, so watch for
things out of the ordinary, or bright articles of clothing. Mark the location of any articles or
evidence with the flag tape for reference.
 Stay calm: Calmly, but loudly, call out for the camper by name, identify yourself, and state
your intentions, ie:
 “Ceasar! It’s me, Brutus, from camp. We just want to talk with you and make sure you’re
safe.”
 Remember that the camper you are searching for may be angry, scared, or unconscious, so be
prepared for a number of responses.
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Fire Procedures:
If anyone is on fire, remember: Stop, Drop and Roll!
If you spot a fire, report immediately to the Camp Director, Emergency Organizer, or other senior
staff. They will sound the emergency signal – 3 long blasts.
If more than one staff member is present when a fire is spotted, and it is a contained fire, then
one of the staff members may try to put the fire out using the fire extinguishers which are
available in all cabins and main camp buildings (see map in Appendix A). Your priorities are to
get all campers out of the area first, then send someone to sound the alarm, then try to put out the
fire if it is reasonable to do so. USE DISCRETION. The campers’ safety, and your safety, are
your number one responsibilities. If the fire is getting out of control, or if you empty one fire
extinguisher and the fire is still not out, then go immediately and check in with the Emergency
Organizer.
When you hear the Emergency Signal:
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Proceed to the breezeway. The Emergency Organizer will direct you to the Sports field.
Organize your campers, ensure that they’re all there, and move quickly to the Sports field.
Count your campers again, then one leader report to the Emergency Organizer.
Return to your cabin group and await further instructions.
Other staff:
 The Camp Director will immediately call the fire department (911). The Camp Director will
direct the emergency personnel when they arrive.
 The Emergency Organizer will go to breezeway to direct everyone to the Sports field, then go
to the Sports field to ensure that all campers and staff are accounted for.
 The camp Health Care Provider will go to the Sports field and take several first aid kits.
 All other camp staff will go to the sports field and report to the Emergency Organizer.
If anyone (campers or staff) is missing:
 The Emergency Organizer may direct 2 staff members to quickly check the area near the fire.
This should only be done if the fire is contained within an area of one building (eg if the fire
is in the kitchen, then quickly check the dining hall). These staff members should not
attempt to go near the fire or to put out the fire. The searchers should report immediately
back to the Emergency Organizer.
 2 staff members may be directed to search each of the building areas: upper cabins, main
buildings and lower cabins. This should only be done in those areas where there is not a fire
danger. These searchers should report quickly back to the Emergency Organizer.
 Don’t go back to search a second time. If someone is still missing, then notify the emergency
personnel when they arrive.
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Injuries
Minor Injuries
 Minor injuries should be treated on-site by the camp Health Care Provider.
Moderate Injuries
 Moderate injuries (eg uncomplicated broken bones, cuts requiring stitches, general health
problems) may be treated at the hospital. The closest hospitals are Strathroy General and the
St. Joseph’s Urgent Care Clinic (which is open days only 7:30 am to 10 pm). In these
situations the patient should be transported in an available vehicle by a senior staff member.
The camp Health Care Provider should generally remain at camp - but at the discretion of the
camp Health Care Provider, he / she may attend - consider the patient’s needs. In any
situation where a camp staff is transporting a camper to the hospital, they should also take the
campers medical information, any medication needed by the camper, and a first-aid kit.
Severe Injuries
 Use 911 in all cases of severe injury, such as:
o back / neck injuries
o severe bleeding
o not breathing
o loss of consciousness
o anaphylaxis (allergic shock)
 The camp Health Care Provider or other qualified person should immediately apply the
appropriate first aid procedures - eg CPR, stabilize the situation.
 Another staff member should immediately call 911, and send someone to the end of the road
to direct the ambulance into the camp.
 The camp Health Care Provider should accompany the patient to the hospital, along with the
camper’s medical information. It may be important that the camp Health Care Provider is
available at the hospital to pass along any medical history which may be pertinent. In any
case where the Health Care Provider must leave camp, the Senior Lifeguard or any other
senior staff member with the appropriate qualifications will be named the Health Care
Provider.
 As soon as is reasonable, the Camp Director should call the patient’s parents or the
emergency contact person listed on their health form.
 Please refer also to the Crisis Management Policy, included above.
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Illness / Epidemics
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Staff or Campers who are ill may spend the night in the Health Centre. This will give them a
chance to rest, and reduce the chance of spreading the illness.
A camper who is ill for more than a day, and is unable to participate in any camp activities,
may be sent home.
Patients who are ill may be taken to the hosptial or clinic for examination.
In case of an epidemic, when an illness is being passed readily to other campers and staff, it is
recommended that the camp be cleaned completely when the campers have gone home. The
cabins, bathrooms and dining areas should be cleaned with a bleach solution. The Health
Centre should be cleaned especially well with bleach.
If there is an epidemic, the camp may be closed by order of the Health Department, the Fire
Marshall, or by a decision of the Board of Directors or the Camp Director. If this happens
during a camp session, the camp must be evacuated. Contact the parents or the emergency
contact people to come and pick up the kids. Refunds will be given according to the
registration refund policy - see Registration.
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Intruders on the Site
All visitors to the camp must check in at the office and be approved by the Camp Director. Any
staff that notices a visitor arriving on the site should approach the visitor to determine their
identity and purpose of visit. They should be instructed to go to the office and meet the Camp
Director. The Camp Director will decide if the visitor will be allowed to remain on site, and
arrange for an escort if the visitor is going to stay for any length of time.
If a visitor appears to be threatening, or if a visitor is asked to leave but refuses, they should be
considered an intruder. An intruder should be reported to the Camp Director immediately. The
Camp Director will call 911 and will then conduct a search of the site with all program staff to
ensure the safety of all campers and staff. Secure all buildings, and wait for the authorities to
arrive - camp staff are not to attempt to interfere with the intruder.
During daylight hours, if it is determined that there is a threat to the safety of the campers, the
Director and/or Emergency Organizer will sound the alarm - 3 long blasts.
At night, if all the kids are in bed, then only the Camp Director and Program staff will be alerted
- counsellors and campers will remain in the safety of their cabins.
When you hear the Emergency Signal:
Leaders and Cabin Groups:
 Proceed to the breezeway. Organize your campers quickly, ensure that they’re all there.
 Check in with the Emergency Organizer at the breezeway. Give them your cabin count. The
Emergency Organizer will direct you to wait in Beck Hall until the authorities arrive.
The chair of the board is to be notified of the situation as quickly as possible. Parents of all
children registered at the camp must be informed of the incident within 24 hours. The Camp
Director is responsible for direct contact with the parents to ensure that they receive correct and
consistent information. See also the Crisis Management Policy, included above.
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