As you know, emergencies can happen. Girls need to receive proper instruction in how to care for themselves and others in emergencies. They also need to learn the importance of reporting to adults any accidents, illnesses, or unusual behaviors during Girl Scout activities. To this end, you can help girls:

• Know what to report. See the “Procedures for Accidents” section later in this chapter.
  
• Establish and practice procedures for weather emergencies. Certain extreme-weather conditions may occur in your area. Please consult with your council for the most relevant information for you to share with girls.
  
• Establish and practice procedures for such circumstances as fire evacuation, lost persons, and building-security responses. Every girl and adult must know how to act in these situations. For example, you and the girls, with the help of a fire department representative, should design a fire evacuation plan for meeting places used by the group.
  
• Assemble a well-stocked first-aid kit that is always accessible.  First-aid administered in the first few minutes can mean the difference between life and death. In an emergency, secure professional medical assistance as soon as possible, normally by calling 911.
  

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio works to provide volunteers with increased access to First Aid & CPR certification courses. Please visit eBiz for the most up to date information on the courses being provided through partnerships with area organizations.

Certification may also be obtained through outside agencies like American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Ohio State Highway Patrol, local fire depts., hospitals, YMCAs, etc. If certification is obtained through an outside agency, evidence of certification must be forwarded to Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.
Girl Scout volunteers who are doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, etc. should contact the First Aid & CPR coordinator at your regional Girl Scout Center to become listed as a troop First-Aider.

Make sure a general first-aid kit is available at your group meeting place and accompanies girls on any activity (including transportation to and from the activity). Please be aware that you may need to provide this kit if one is not available at your meeting place. You can buy a commercial kit, or you and the girls can assemble a kit yourselves. The Red Cross offers a list of potential items in its Anatomy of a First Aid Kit. You can also customize a kit to cover your specific needs, including flares, treatments for frostbite or snake bites, and the like.

In addition to standard materials, all kits should contain your council and emergency telephone numbers (which you can get from your council contact). Girl Scout activity insurance forms, parent consent forms, and health histories may be included, as well. 

Although you hope the worst never happens, you must observe council procedures for handling accidents and fatalities. At the scene of an accident, first provide all possible care for the sick or injured person. Follow established council procedures for obtaining medical assistance and immediately reporting the emergency. To do this, you must always have on hand the names and telephone numbers of council staff, parents/guardians, and local emergency services such as the police, fire department, or hospital emergency technicians. 

After receiving a report of an accident, council staff will immediately arrange for additional assistance, if needed, at the scene, and will notify parents/guardians, as appropriate. If a child needs emergency medical care as the result of an accident or injury, first contact emergency medical services, and then follow council procedures for accidents and incidents. Your adherence to these procedures is critical, especially with regard to notifying parents or guardians. If the media is involved, let council-designated staff discuss the incident with these representatives. 

In the event of a fatality or other serious accident, notify the police. A responsible adult must remain at the scene at all times. In the case of a fatality, do not disturb the victim or surroundings. Follow police instructions. Do not share information about the accident with anyone but the police, your council, and, if applicable, insurance representatives or legal counsel. 

These numbers are for emergency use only. Use these numbers, after-hours and on weekends, to report a serious accident or emergency to a council representative.

Toledo Region 537-225-3545

Lima Region 419-225-3098

Dayton Region 937-279-6599

Cincinnati Region 513-619-1398