# 11: What To Do In Case Of An Emergency

In case of an emergency at camp

You should be familiar with and follow your camp’s emergency procedures. These should be covered and explained to you during your camp staff orientation, and also included in your camp staff manual. If there is anything that is unclear or that you do not understand, please ask your supervisor or camp director for clarification. If your camp does not give you a copy of the camp’s emergency policy or a list of their emergency procedures, you should ask for a copy.

In case of an emergency outside of camp

For all police, fire or ambulance situations, you should call 911, which is the phone number for all emergency calls in most parts of the U.S. This is a free call, even if you are calling from a public telephone booth/box. You should tell the emergency operator your name, exact location, what kind of emergency or situation it is, and stay on the line (do not hang up) until the operator has gotten all of the necessary information from you.

In case of natural disaster/storm or other emergency situation

You should quickly seek appropriate shelter. For hurricane, tornado, severe weather storms, flooding and other natural disaster situations, there should be local or regional emergency shelters such as churches or schools open for travelers and persons who have had to evacuate their homes.

It is a good idea to have a small, portable AM radio with you and to keep tuned to a local radio or TV station for updates on the situation.

For other emergency situations

Try to keep calm and think clearly. Listen to the news reports and follow whatever emergency instructions they provide.