Emergency Action Plan

Introduction and objective:

This plan was developed as a baseline response and reaction guideline for Historic Yellow Springs responding to situations or emergencies outside the normal realm of their duties. It is hoped that this plan will provide some necessary information for staff to utilize to help properly respond to emergency situations safely and effectively, A copy of this plan is available in the Main Office and the Executive Director’s office in the Lincoln Building.

Important Telephone Numbers

Emergency: dial 911
West Pikeland Township Police: 610-827-5007 (dial 911 for emergency)
Kimberton Fire Company: 610-935-1388 (dial 911 for emergency)
Historic Yellow Springs Lincoln Building 610-827-7414
Historic Yellow Springs Address: 1685 Art School Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425
Executive Director Tim Compton, (260)760-6620 ** office #610-827-7414 x14
** Private telephone number, for authorized distribution only

Accidents/ Medical Emergency

Employees responding to report of any type of accident or injury should assess the scene for safety and render medical assistance to the extent of their training. Call 911, or designate someone to call 911. The Executive Director will obtain all relevant information from involved parties and witnesses to complete an incident report.

Directions to Local Hospitals:

Phoenixville Hospital
610-983-1000
Follow Route 113 North to Route 23 East. Proceed on Route 23 past three traffic lights. Phoenixville Hospital is on the right.

Chester County Hospital
610-431-5000
Make a left on Yellow Springs road. Then make a right on to route 113 south. Follow route 113 south to route Rt. 100 south. Follow about ½ mile and exit right to stay on Rt. 100. Follow Rt. 100 approximately three miles to Marshall St. and turn left. The hospital is approximately ½ mile on your left.

Nearest Physician:

Dr. Daniel G. Orr, MD
134 Pottstown Pike
Chester Springs, PA 19425
(610) 458-8881
Dr. Samuel G. Leather, MD
Gordon Drive Medical Associates
255 Gordon Drive
Suite 101
Exton, PA 19341
610-594-8998

Employee Injury or Illness

In the case of a medical emergency, dial 911 and deliver assistance (to the extent of training). When an employee becomes ill or injured while on duty, he/she must notify the Executive Director as soon as possible. An employee who is injured on duty will follow all policy and guidelines as specified in the Historic Yellow Springs Personnel Policies. The employee will complete an incident report identifying the nature of the injury and all relevant details about the incident.

Abuse or Assuault

Employees responding to report of any type of abuse or assault should assess the scene for safety and render medical assistance to the extent of their training. Call 911 for a medical emergency or if there is an unsafe situation. All reports of abuse or assault that occur on Historic Yellow Springs property must be taken seriously and an incident report must be completed before the end of the workday. In a case where the individual who was abused or assaulted does not want to make a report, document what was witnessed. The Executive Director will evaluate as to whether a minor incident is reportable to the police.

Death of a Visitor (including suicide)

Upon report of the death of a visitor the responding employee will call 911. Any request for information from the news media or any other source not connected with the investigation should be referred to the Executive Director or investigating police agency. The Executive Director shall be notified immediately and an incident report completed
prior to completion of the workday.

Downed Power Lines

A downed power line is life threatening and a potential fire hazard. Employees discovering or responding to a downed power line should request assistance to keep traffic and unauthorized persons from the area. Treat all downed wires as “live” electrical wires until advised by trained personnel. Do not allow anyone to come in contact with downed wires. If someone has come in contact with a live electrical wire, do not attempt to pull him or her free or from a vehicle that has comes in contact with downed wires. You could become a victim too. Downed electrical wires can charge the area to a 30 to 50 foot radius of the location where the electricity has contacted the ground. Call 911 with the exact location of the affected pole with the pole number if possible. If there is a fire danger take appropriate steps to suppress the fire (within the limits of you training) or request assistance from the appropriate Fire Company. Prepare an incident report and verbally notify the Executive Director as soon as possible.

Evacuation Routes and Safety Zones for Historic Yellow Springs

Lincoln Building: Exit the front door to safety zone in the field across the street on the other side of the main parking lot OR Exit the rear door to the safety zone in the herb garden above the Washington Hall hospital ruins, depending on the location and nature of the emergency.

Fire Emergencies

Wildfire: Obtain exact location of the fire, direction of fire movement, and all information re: the reporting person and call 911.

Structural: Obtain exact location and type (chemical, flammable liquid, etc) of fire, if known. Determine if the building is occupied and by how many persons. Obtain the name and telephone number of the reporting person.

CALL 911 AND REPORT ALL INFORMATION, DO NOT ENTER A BURNING BUILDING TO SAVE PROPERTY!

Station HYS employees to direct arriving fire/rescue equipment to the appropriate location. Use all available personnel to evacuate ALL visitors from the park with particular attention to the involved structure and any other structure. Account for all staff and visitors if possible.

Special Instructions during summer camps: At all times the Lead Counselor will have a list of all camp participants in attendance that day. Lead Counselor will also have a list of participant’s emergency contacts and phone numbers. They will verify that all participants are accounted for. Campers will be gathered in one of the two safety zones. The Executive Director is to be notified and will contact parents or guardians if it is necessary to close camp early for the day. If appropriate, a formal notice will be provided to parents within 24 hours of the incident.

Game or Wildlife Related Emergencies/ Suspected Rabid Animal

If an HYS employee observes or is made aware of a wounded or injured animal notify the PA Game Commission immediately and ask for advice. Remove all visitors from the immediate area of the animal to ensure safety. If rabies is suspected, evacuate all visitors from the area.

Contact: PA Game Commission (southeast region) 610-926-3136

Hazardous Materials Spills/ Dumping

In the event gasoline, oil, or flammable liquids are spilled remove any ignition sources as soon as possible. Spills of these materials in quantities less than 5 gallons are considered non-hazardous and do not need to be reported to the DEP. These will be reported to the Executive Director. If you find a material or container with a material that you are unfamiliar with, do not handle the material or container. Cordon off the area using plastic tape or rope to keep visitors away if you believe a safety hazard exists. Call 911 and the Department of Environmental Protection giving all identifying information from the container (while not touching it). Employee will remain at the scene to ensure the safety of all persons who may be on or using Historic Yellow Springs’ property.

Contact: PA Department of Environmental Protection (Regional office) 610-832-6000

Limerick General Station Nuclear Alert Action Steps

A Limerick Nuclear Plant general emergency alert will be a 3 to 5 minute steady siren
(not a wail or warbling siren) and/or an emergency broadcast system notification.
Tune your radio for additional information to:

  • WCAU 1210 AM
  • KYW 1060 AM
  • WCOJ 1420 AM

If shelter is recommended by PEMA (PA Emergency Management Agency) assist visitors/evacuees seek shelter in a sealable structure such as an office, shop or other building. Close all doors, windows, outside air intakes and heating/cooling systems. Do not turn on faucets, drink only prepackaged materials. Monitor radio and television for additional information.

Disaster relief host facility for West Pikeland Township (610) 827-7802:

  1. Start out going WEST on ART SCHOOL RD toward YELLOW SPRINGS RD.
  2. Turn LEFT onto YELLOW SPRINGS RD.
  3. Turn RIGHT onto KIMBERTON RD I PA-113 SOUTH. Continue to follow PA-113.
  4. Turn LEFT onto N POTTSTOWN PIKE/ P A-100 SOUTH.
  5. End at 222 N. Pottstown Pike, Exton PA 19341

Missing Persons/ Search Procedures

  1. Special Instructions- an employee taking a report of a missing person should obtain name, address, telephone #, and relationship to the missing person from the reporting person.
  2. Obtain a complete description of the missing person using the linked missing person questionnaire. Complete all categories of the form adding any additional information that is volunteered.
  3. Advise the reporting person to notify the main office immediately if the missing person returns or is found.
  4. Determine if the subject is lost, missing, or reasonably overdue. Call 911 if there is clear indication that abduction or other criminal activity has occurred.
  5. If the missing person is a child, call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
  6. Advise the Executive Director of the situation and action you have taken.
  7. Conduct an immediate “hasty search” of the immediate area using all available HYS personnel. Search high probability areas first (playgrounds, recreational areas, etc). Gather information from witnesses and retain witnesses for further use. Factors to be considered in any missing person complaint should be age, physical condition, and special needs situation, and medical condition, state of mind of the missing person. Other factors include weather conditions, clothing the subject was wearing, etc.
  8. Document all actions taken; prepare a detailed incident report.
  9. Retain any witnesses who may have seen the victim last for emergency personnel. Get description of the subject and all facts and circumstances applicable to the incident.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor Vehicle: Employees responding to report of a motor vehicle accident should assess the scene for safety and render medical assistance to the extent of their training. Appropriate municipal or state police agency shall be contacted to conduct the investigation. The Executive Director will obtain all relevant information from involved parties and witnesses to complete an incident report. In the event of injury from a motor vehicle accident, the Executive Director shall be contacted prior to completion of the work day.

Snowmobile/ATV: Treat any accident involving a snowmobile/ATV as a motor vehicle accident. Contact the Executive Director prior to completion of the workday.

Poisoning Victim

When poisoning is suspected time is the critical factor as the body can absorb stomach contents within 30 minutes. Keep the victim calm to slow the absorption process. Call 911 immediately and administer first aid within the limit of you training. If the poisoning agent is known, contact poison control for treatment steps. If the victim is unconscious or uncooperative look for any containers that may have held the poison and send these with the victim and ambulance crew for identification. Secure all information on the victim and make a verbal report to the Executive Director and complete an incident report prior to the completion of the workday. In the case of death, see Death of a Visitor.

Additional Emergency Contact: Poison Control (24 hours) 800-722-7112

Robbery

In the event of a reported robbery, secure the scene, do not touch or move anything. Get an accurate physical description of the suspect including any vehicle that may have been involved and the last known direction of travel. Pass this information to a 911 operator. Contact the Executive immediately; complete an incident report prior to the end of your workday.

Stray, Lost, or Found Pet

If possible examine any identification tags that may be on the animal while being conscious that even domesticated animals can carry rabies. If practical contact the owner. Caution should be used when dealing with any animal or pet as they could be a potential safety threat regardless of how friendly they appear. If the pet is in your control contact the S.P.C.A., they will not come out for an animal that is not contained.

Additional Emergency Contact: Chester County SPCA 610-692-6113 Ext.12

Terroristic Threats

If you receive a threat, in person or by phone, remain calm and get as much information as you can. Determine the nature of the threat (chemical, biological, explosive device), who is making it, what is being threatened, how it will be carried out and for what reason. If the threat is by phone, try to note the callers voice inflection, accent, and speech patterns. Notify the Executive Director and all personnel immediately. Call 911 from a safe site and have all park personnel evacuate park visitors to a “safe site” for investigation by appropriate law enforcement agencies. Note license plate numbers of vehicles in the immediate area. EVACUATION ROUTES AND SAFETY ZONES FOR HISTORIC YELLOW SPRINGS: Lincoln Building: Exit the front door to safety zone in the field across the street on the other side of the main parking lot OR Exit the rear door to the safety zone in the herb garden above the Washington Hall hospital ruins, depending on the location and nature of the emergency.

Weather Related Emergencies

Monitor local radio stations (WCOJ 1420 AM, KYW 1060 AM), for latest weather advisories. In the event that severe weather warning is issued (tornado, severe thunderstorms, etc.) make attempts to warn visitors particularly those who may be at increased risk ( children, elderly). If a funnel cloud is sighted, attempt (if possible) to move visitors to the lowest point of the nearest structure. The southwest comer of the nearest basement is the safest place.
After the weather emergency has subsided:

  • Check for visitors that may be injured or property that may be damaged. Call 911 for any injured persons.
  • Check park buildings and structures for wind or water damage. Make sure any alarmed facilities are secure and alarms are in working order. Contact the alarm company with any problems.
  • Check for downed trees, wires or other unsafe condition. If a downed tree is too large to move, or other unsafe condition, cordon the area with caution tape or close that specific area if deemed necessary. Notify the Executive Director of the situation as soon as possible.

EVACUATION ROUTES AND SAFETY ZONES FOR HYS BUILDINGS:
Lincoln Building: Exit the front door to safety zone in the field across the street on the other side of the main parking lot OR Exit the rear door to the safety zone near the Washington Hall hospital ruins, depending on the location and nature of the emergency.
Special Instructions during summer camps: At all times the Lead Counselor will have a list of all camp participants in attendance that day. Lead Counselor will also have a list of participant’s emergency contacts and phone numbers. They will verify that all participants are accounted for. Campers will be gathered in one of the two safety zones. The Executive Director is to be notified and will contact parents or guardians if it is necessary to close camp early for the day. If appropriate, a formal notice will be provided to parents within 24 hours of the incident.