[KathieK]

If you are meeting or building at a location that might not be familiar to all team members (mentors as well) be sure to point out the evacuation route. Be sure your location (room as well as address) is printed in large print next to the phone in the room so that even if someone grabs their cellphone to dial 911 in an emergency, they can read off the address! (Minds can go blank in an emergency so being able to read it is really helpful).

When traveling, if staying overnight in a hotel, the team safety captain and team leader should scout out a meeting location away from the building in a safe place, where the team should meet in case they have to evacuate, then communicate it to the team. The team leader will need to account for everyone if the hotel is evacuated (how many people have had to evacuate in the middle of the night? I have!). Team members should be reminded to check their rooms for the evacuation route which is usually posted on the back of the door. Keep in mind some team members may have never stayed in a hotel before and might not be aware of this. Remind them not to take an elevator!

The same rule should apply for evacuating a competition venue. Agree ahead of time where the team will meet if a long-term evacuation occurs (and unfortunately, it has. Several times.).

It's helpful to prepare inexpensive business cards ahead of time with important team cellphone numbers, the name, location and phone number of the hotel, and give two to each team member - one to take with you in your wallet, one to put on the frig at home! Be sure your team members carry some form of ID with them to competitions (sometimes we leave purses and wallets behind without realizing we have no identification on us).

If you are on an event planning committee, prepare the emergency business cards with the chair's name and cellphone number, as well as the phone number for emergencies (it's not always 911) and the procedure, ie., "In case of an emergency, dial 911 from the nearest phone. Then call the event chairperson, John Jones, xxx-xxxx" or "In case of an emergency, call ext 430 for venue safety personnel." Each volunteer should get one to carry in a pocket.

These things sound silly but if you ever had to use them you will be grateful you prepared ahead of time.