Emergency Action Plan

4702 N Blackstone Ave
Fresno, California 93726

Table of Contents

Activating the EMS System _________________________________________________ Page 3

Emergency Action Plan Personnel _____________________________________________ Page 4

Role of First Responders ___________________________________________________ Page 4

Emergency Communication __________________________________________________ Page 5

Emergency Equipment _____________________________________________________ Page 5

Medical Emergency Transportation ___________________________________________ Page 6

Medical Events __________________________________________________________ Page 6

        Player Assessment and Injury Reporting Requirements ________________________ Page 6

        Concussions ________________________________________________________ Page 7

        Concussion Action Plan ________________________________________________ Page 8

        Heat Stroke _______________________________________________________ Page 9

        Heat Stroke Action Plan ______________________________________________ Page 10

Non-Medical Events_______________________________________________________ Page 10

        Heat Stroke _______________________________________________________ Page 10

        Air Quality ________________________________________________________ Page 11

        Criminal or Violent Behavior ____________________________________________ Page 11

        Bomb Threats ______________________________________________________ Page 12

Venue Directions and Map __________________________________________________ page 13

Activating the EMS System

Making the Call:

• Call 911
• Other Numbers:

• Fresno Community Medical Center: 559-459-6000
• Valley Children’s Hospital: 559-353-3000
• Fresno City Fire Station #1: 559-621-4000

Providing Information:

• Give the dispatcher your name, address of the venue, telephone number of the caller.

• Venue address is  4702 N Blackstone Ave Fresno, California 93726

• Tell them the following:

• Nature (type) of emergency, whether medical or non-medical
•  Number of athletes injured.
•  Condition of athletes (breathing, not breathing, pulse, no pulse, bleeding, conscious, unconscious)
• If first aid treatment initiated by first responder (blood control, rescue breathing, CPR, etc.)
• Specific directions as needed to location of injured athlete (see page 13)
• Other information requested by dispatch.

Emergency situations can occur unexpectedly during athletic events, requiring swift action to ensure the safety and well-being of participants or spectators. Establishing and implementing an emergency plan is crucial to providing optimal care in such circumstances.

Emergency Action Plan Personnel:

In typical athletic practices or competitions, the first responder to an emergency is usually a member of the Athletic Staff, commonly a Team Coach, who may be trained in CPR/AED & First Aid.

Roles of the First Responders:

Developing an emergency action plan necessitates the formation of an emergency team, which may include various healthcare providers such as physicians, emergency medical technicians, coaches, and bystanders. The roles of these individuals within the emergency team may vary based on factors like team size or venue. There are five primary roles within the emergency medical team:

1. Scene safety and immediate care: The foremost responsibility is to ensure the safety of the scene and provide immediate care to the affected individual. Care should be administered by the most qualified person present, with others deferring to those with appropriate training.
2. EMS activation: If emergency transportation is not already available, activating the EMS system is crucial once the situation is deemed an emergency or life-threatening. This task requires someone who remains calm under pressure and communicates effectively, ideally familiar with the event location.
3. Equipment retrieval: Any member familiar with the necessary equipment can retrieve it promptly. Coaches and managers are suitable candidates for this role.
4. Directing EMS to the scene: Designating one team member to meet emergency medical personnel upon their arrival and assist in accessing the site quickly. This individual should have keys to any locked gates or doors that may impede access.
5. Notifying designated individuals: Informing those listed on the Emergency Contact Roster, typically found in the Team Book within the Coaches Bag, of the situation promptly.

Emergency Communication

Effective communication is essential for swift emergency response within the Starlights Cheer Team. Athletic staff and emergency medical personnel must collaborate closely, ensuring they have established contact information, such as a telephone tree, as part of their pre-planning for emergencies. Prior communication fosters boundary-setting and rapport between these professional groups. In instances where onsite emergency medical transportation is unavailable, direct communication with the emergency medical system at the time of injury or illness becomes imperative.

Access to functional telecommunication devices, whether fixed or mobile, must be guaranteed. Before each practice or competition, the communication system should undergo checks to ensure proper functionality. Additionally, a backup communication plan should be ready in case of primary system failure. Cellular phones are commonly utilized for communication; thus, it's crucial to identify accessible telephones at any athletic venue, home or away. Pre-arranged access to these phones should be established if they are not readily available.

Emergency Equipment

Adequate emergency equipment must be readily available at the site. Personnel should be well-versed in the operation of each type of emergency equipment. All equipment should be maintained in good working condition, and personnel must receive prior training to ensure its proper usage. The available emergency equipment should align with the level of training of the emergency medical providers. The coach’s bag contains basic first aid supplies and a CPR Wrap.

Medical Emergency Transportation

During a medical emergency assessment, the primary survey aids emergency care providers in identifying critical emergencies requiring immediate intervention and in making transport decisions. In emergency situations, athletes should be transported via ambulance, ensuring access to necessary staff and equipment for delivering appropriate medical care. Emergency care providers must avoid transporting unstable athletes in unsuitable vehicles. Supervision of activity areas is essential if the emergency care provider needs to leave the site to transport the athlete. Any emergency involving impairment in level of consciousness (LOC), airway, breathing, or circulation (ABC), or neurovascular compromise should be treated as a "load and go" situation, prioritizing rapid evaluation, treatment, and transportation. To ensure the best possible care for Starlights cheerleaders, injured cheerleaders may be transported to either Fresno Community Medical Center or Valley Children's Hospital.

Medical Events

Player Assessment and Injury Reporting Requirements

The following steps outline the protocol for addressing injuries during the season, mandatory for all medical volunteers and coaches involved in Cheerleading:

1. Evaluation: Upon suspicion of an injury, the assigned evaluator (medical volunteer/coach) will assess the player and decide on further treatments or actions.
2. Documentation: In case of any injury, the medical volunteer/coach must complete the designated form and submit it to the coach within 24 hours. These forms are accessible online or can be requested via email. Any injuries involving the head, neck, spine, or deformities must be reported to the coach within the same timeframe.
3. State Requirement: Suspected concussions mandate referral for further evaluation by a medical professional, as per California regulations. (Refer to the Concussion Protocol Action Plan for detailed steps.)
4. Medical Clearance: Players referred for further medical evaluation must obtain a release from their medical provider before resuming activity. This release form must be submitted to the coach before the player can resume participation.
5. Concussion Protocol: Players with suspected concussions are prohibited from participating in any activity until the required state release form is received by the coach.
6. Parent Communication: The coach will maintain communication with parents as necessary. All release forms and injury records will be documented meticulously and securely stored for reference.

Concussions

In California, the sports concussion law is commonly known as the California Youth Sports Concussion Protocol. This law requires coaches, officials, and administrators involved in youth sports programs to undergo concussion awareness training. It also mandates the immediate removal of any youth athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion from play until they have received medical clearance from a healthcare professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussions. Additionally, the law requires the distribution of educational materials on concussions to athletes and their parents or guardians.

A concussion is a form of brain injury resulting from a blow, bump, or jolt to the head, with potentially severe consequences. It can occur in any sport or recreational activity.

The state's sports concussion legislation mandates that all coaches, employees, volunteers, and adults involved in youth athletic activities undergo an online concussion awareness training program. This training must be renewed every three years or more frequently as determined by CDPH and USA Cheer.

Coaches are required to furnish educational materials detailing the signs, symptoms, and repercussions of concussions to each youth athlete and their parents or guardians. A signed statement acknowledging receipt of this information must be obtained by the organizing entity and kept on record.

Furthermore, the law stipulates the immediate removal of any athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion from physical participation in athletic activities. The student athlete must then obtain written clearance from an appropriate health professional before resuming physical activity.

Concussion Signs Observed

• Inability to recall events before or after a hit or fall.
• Appearing dazed or stunned.
• Forgetting instructions, showing confusion about tasks or positions, or uncertainty about the game, score, or opponent.
• Clumsy movements.
• Delayed responses to questions.
• Loss of consciousness, even momentarily.
• Changes in mood, behavior, or personality.

Concussion Symptoms Reported

• Headache or feeling of pressure in the head.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Balance issues, dizziness, double or blurry vision.
• Sensitivity to light or noise.
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.
• Confusion, difficulty concentrating, or memory problems.
• General feeling of not being oneself or feeling down.

Concussion Protocol Action Plan

When a concussion is suspected, the following protocol must be followed:

1. Remove the player from playing immediately.
2. Inform the athlete's parents or guardians about the potential concussion promptly. Assist them in accessing educational resources on concussions. Notify them that the athlete must receive written clearance from a medical professional before returning to practice or play.
3. Report the suspected concussion to the Starlights cheer coach and ensure that the athlete obtains medical clearance before resuming play. Keep the concussion signs and symptoms information accessible during practices and games or utilize the "CDC Heads Up Concussion" App, which provides details on signs, symptoms, and required protocol steps.

Heat Stroke

Considered a medical emergency, heat stroke can cause organ damage and potentially be fatal. Often the culmination of progressive heat-related symptoms, heat stroke may occur suddenly, even without prior indications of heat injury. Frequently associated with dehydration, heat stroke occurs when the body's core temperature surpasses 105 degrees Fahrenheit. At this point, the central nervous system struggles to function properly, leading to various complications ranging from brain damage to organ failure and death.

Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke

In addition to elevated body temperature, signs of heat stroke may include:

• Fainting
• Severe headache
• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Absence of sweating
• Hot, dry, or flushed skin
• Muscle cramps or weakness
• Vomiting or nausea
• Weak or rapid pulse
• Shallow, rapid breathing
• Seizures
• Confusion, disorientation, or staggering

Heat Stroke Action Plan

Prompt intervention is crucial to prevent life-altering or fatal outcomes associated with heat stroke. If you observe someone displaying symptoms of heat stroke, immediately call 911 or take them to the emergency room. While awaiting emergency assistance, implement the following measures to lower the individual's core body temperature:

• Move the person to a cool, shaded area.
• Remove unnecessary clothing.
• Dampen the person's skin.
• Use a fan to increase air circulation.
• Apply ice packs to the neck, groin, armpits, and back.
• Submerge the person in a tub of cool water.

Non-Medical Emergencies

Heat Index

The heat index combines air temperature and relative humidity to gauge the perceived temperature experienced by humans. This resultant value is also referred to as the "felt air temperature" or "apparent temperature." For instance, when the temperature is 90°F with high humidity, the heat index may reach approximately 106°F.

Starlights Cheer will adhere to the CDPH heat and humidity Policy, accessible at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/wrh/heatrisk/ utilizing the Heat Index and Calculation Chart to assess conditions before practices or games.

- Starlights Cheer will suspend all outdoor activities if the heat index exceeds 104°F.

- Below this threshold, decisions will be made at the discretion of the coach, while adhering to the guidelines available on the website. If suitable alternative indoor facilities are available, they may be utilized.

Air Quality

Monitoring air quality is crucial, especially during outdoor sporting events, as events like forest fires can create hazardous environmental conditions. Awareness of harmful air conditions empowers athletes, parents, and coaches to avoid outdoor activities and implement preventive measures for protection. You can check air quality updates at www.airnow.gov and consult the NFHS Sports Medicine Handbook for further guidance on air quality. Additionally, the "EPA AIRNow" app is accessible online.

Starlights Cheer will suspend all outdoor activities if the Air Quality Index surpasses 100. If suitable indoor facilities are available, they may be utilized as alternatives.

Criminal or Violent Behavior

If you witness or become a victim of any of the following, immediately dial 911:

• Assault
• Threats of bodily harm, whether verbal or otherwise
• Suspicious activity
• Crimes in progress
• Weapons violations
• Any activity posing serious risk to individuals or others.

When feasible, relocate all participants to a secure area, away from potential danger.

For reporting non-emergency crimes (e.g., vandalism, parking violations, etc.) or general inquiries, contact Fresno Police Department – Northeast Division at 559-651-6400, available 24/7.

When reporting a crime, provide the following details to the dispatcher:

• Nature and location of the incident
• Description of the individuals involved (including features, clothing, etc.)
• Description of any relevant property
• If the suspect has fled, provide their last known path and mode of transportation.

Bomb Threats

• If you encounter a suspicious object or suspect a bomb threat, refrain from handling the object. Evacuate the area and immediately contact Lincoln Township Police via 911.
• In case of a phone bomb threat, inquire about the bomb's placement, type, appearance, and timing of detonation.
• Engage the caller in conversation, noting details such as the call's time, the caller's approximate age, gender, speech pattern, emotional state, and any background noise.
• If feasible, have someone else contact Lincoln Township Police while you converse with the caller. Alternatively, immediately inform Lincoln Township Police via 911.
• If the threat endangers you and others, or if instructed, evacuate the premises promptly through the nearest exit.
• Lincoln Township Police or an authorized party will notify the board when it's safe to re-enter the facility.

Venue Directions and Map

4702 N Blackstone Ave

Fresno, California 93726

Emergency services should enter on Blackstone Ave in the Paradise Liquor Store parking lot. We are the 3rd door from the end; between the insurance company and the massage parlor.