2. To learn more about the preparing for emergencies read and translate the text.

Preparing for emergencies

A prudent leader hopes for the best outcomes but plans for the possibility of the worst. Emergency plans are used infrequently but, when needed, a good plan can bring vital clarity to an urgent and demanding situation.

This health and safety guidance explains the importance of the following issues when preparing for emergencies.

Leaders should not hesitate to act in an emergency and must be prepared to take life-saving action in an extreme situation. This is the logical application of their duty of care.

If an accident or other emergency occurs, the priorities are to:

• assess the situation with as much calmness as can be mustered

• safeguard uninjured members of the group

• attend to any casualty, giving priority to any with life threatening conditions

• inform the emergency services and others who need to know of the incident.

Leaders should take care to avoid putting themselves in unnecessary danger when responding to an emergency. The safety of the group needs the leader to be fully capable, not disqualified by a serious personal injury.

The base contact's main responsibility is to link the group with the establishment and the local authority and to provide assistance as necessary. 

The base contact should have all the necessary information.

If an emergency occurs the main factors for leaders to consider include:

• establish the nature and extent of the emergency without delay

• ensure that all group members are safe and looked after at all times

• establish the names of any casualties and arrange immediate medical attention

• notify the police if necessary

• inform the base contact (who can contact other parties)

When the situation is stabilised:

• complete an accident report form which include:

  • nature, date and time, location of incident

  • names of casualties and how injured

  • names of others involved

  • action taken and when taken

• preserve any vital evidence

• notify insurers

Minimise contact from the group and leadership team:

• nobody in the party should speak to the press

• media enquiries should be referred to a designated media contact

• group members should be discouraged from phoning home in the immediate aftermath of an incident - inaccurate or incomplete information might cause unnecessary speculation and anxiety

• casualty names should not be released externally

• nobody should discuss legal liability with other parties

All leaders should have arrangements in place to deal with the impact of a major incident or disaster. Through good planning, everybody can survive various threats.

3. Read the list given below. Which of the following would be considered acceptable normal behavior during the emergency?

1. The leader must know emergency plan.

2. It is necessary for leader to be in all dangerous situations not thinking about the own health.

3. The leader must establish the nature and extent of the emergency without delay.

4. All the members of the group must take care only about themselves.

5. The problems of saving the casualty are the problems of the leader.

6. It is necessary to inform the emergency services and others who need to know of the incident.

7. It is very important to call to the press immediately and tell them about the emergency.

8. You have to think about your future. That is why you must make photos and then sell them to press.