“Emergency Procedures at the County Fair”

Richland County 4-H/Junior Fair Program

 “Emergency Procedures at the County Fair”

The likelihood of a weather or personal safety emergency cannot be predicted during the county fair, but a set of procedures to minimize the risk associated with such events can be established and implemented.  More than 100 4-H volunteers have given input toward a series of preventative actions that could help reduce injury and/or save the life of a 4-H member/Junior Fair exhibitor or any other individual participating at the county fair.

Please read through these guidelines and suggestions and help make your 4-H members better prepared for their participation at the 2008 Richland County Fair.  Thank you in advance for taking the leadership to make our Junior Fair program as safe as possible.

In the event of a potential weather emergency at the county fair:

·         Be aware of the daily weather forecast via radio and/or TV stations

·         Listen for announcements from the fairgrounds PA system

·         If a warning is given, move to a safe location immediately!

-          Safest locations on the fairgrounds include block buildings – particularly in the restroom areas - with minimal roof areas

-          While no building has a basement on our fairgrounds, the suggestions for the safest locations are the new red barn addition, grandstand and the restrooms in the Youth Building.  We are hoping these buildings will be marked with tornado markings.  

-          Review the location of the “safest”

            buildings with club members  (map)

-          DO NOT go to the campground, a barn or your vehicle(s)

·         Stay in the safest location possible until the PA system gives an “all clear” signal throughout the fairgrounds.

·         Note:  Codes will NOT be used for weather emergencies rather actual descriptions will be shared on the fairgrounds’ PA system.

In the event of a missing child at the county fair:

·         All 4-H volunteers will be given a badge to wear throughout fair week.  The badge will have “I’m a 4-H Volunteer” on one side (visible to the public and with a special irreproducible marking) and emergency phone numbers on the reverse side, including the Junior Fair Office.  DO NOT share this badge with anyone who is not a 2008 certified (finger printed and passed the volunteer selection procedure) 4-H volunteer.

·         Alert 4-H members that when they see the volunteer badge (described above), this signifies a certified volunteer….. someone they could go to if lost, distressed or having some type of problem.

·         A CODE YELLOW means there is concern about a missing child, a child has been hurt/abducted and/or a child predator is suspected on the fairgrounds.  This code would mean finding and being accountable for all your family and/or club members.  Three designated buildings (i.e., Junior Fair Office, main fair office and fire department area) will be used to report suspected concerns.

General safety precautions for all 4-H volunteers:

·         Plan a “walk around” the fairgrounds to show younger members the “safest” inclement weather locations before the start of the fair – reinforce NOT going to campers or vehicles

·         Families should be encouraged to develop private “pass codes” so not to be fooled by an unsafe person.

·         Individual EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND CONTACT FORMS will be available for 4-H members to complete.  These will be kept on file in the Junior Fair Office and will be made available in the case of an emergency.  The form is attached.  ONLY Jr. Fair personnel will have access to the forms.  The information will be used to contact parents (or emergency contacts) when not on the fairgrounds.  Forms will be destroyed after the fair.

·         Review the signs on buildings designated as “safest” locations for inclement weather (i.e., grandstand, red barn new addition) – maps will be posted in each livestock barn’s main bulletin board

·         Barn meetings will cover weather emergency information – please have livestock exhibitors attend these meetings

·         4-H advisors should be more aware of club members while on the fairgrounds (i.e.,  when parents come and go).  Plans for transportation, fair participation, special needs, etc. should be communicated with parents prior to the fair.  Share information about the new safety procedures listed above.

·         4-H members in your club should have your cell number and the Jr. Fair Office phone number on them in case of an emergency.  The Junior Fair Office number is 419-747-7906.

·         4-H advisors should have the Junior Fair Office number on their cell list.

Additional assistance requested:

·         If you, a club parent or relative have professional medical training/experience and will be attending one or more Junior Fair shows/activities during the fair, we would like to develop a list of potential “in-house” volunteers in case of emergencies at Junior Fair events.

·         The list would be maintained by the show announcers at each event.  If an emergency arise, the volunteer could be called by name at a show/event to respond/give help without causing alarm to the audience.  This would be emergency assistance until the rescue units on the fairgrounds arrived.

Villard:2008