Emergency Action Plans

In this lesson you will learn why emergency action plans matter. Emergencies at cricket are rare, but when they happen, minutes count. A sudden cardiac arrest, a serious head injury, a fire in the pavilion or a severe storm can leave people unsure what to do. An emergency action plan sets out in advance who does what, where the equipment is and how to guide help to the scene. It removes guesswork when people are frightened. A plan only works if people know it exists, so it should be displayed in the pavilion, shared with captains and visiting teams, and talked through at the start of the season.

• Emergencies are rare but minutes count
• A plan removes guesswork under pressure
• Display it and share it with teams
• Talk it through each season

In this lesson you will look at the contents of a good emergency action plan. It should include the full address and postcode of the ground, a what3words location or grid reference for the pitch and gates, directions for emergency vehicles, and the nearest hospital with an emergency department. It should list the location of first aid kits, the nearest defibrillator, fire extinguishers and assembly points, plus key phone numbers such as the welfare lead and the groundsperson. It should name matchday roles and explain how to stop play, evacuate and contact families. Keep it to a page or two so that it can be read quickly under pressure.

• Full address, postcode and precise pitch location
• Ambulance directions and nearest A and E
• Locations of kits, AED and assembly points
• Key contacts and matchday roles
• Short enough to read under pressure

In this lesson you will learn about the roles that make a plan work. Before play, agree who is the nominated first aider, who will call 999, who will meet and guide the ambulance, who will fetch the defibrillator, and who will manage players and spectators. Captains and umpires should know who holds these roles. If key people leave the ground, roles must be handed over. In an emergency, one person should take charge and give clear instructions to named people, such as you, call 999 now. Vague requests like someone ring for help often mean nobody does. Practising the roles makes them feel natural when they are needed.

• Agree roles before play starts
• First aider, caller, ambulance guide, AED fetcher
• Hand over roles if people leave
• Give instructions to named people
• Practise so roles feel natural

In this lesson you will learn how to make an effective emergency call. Dial 999 or 112 and ask for the ambulance service, or the fire service or police as needed. Stay calm and answer the call handler's questions. Give the exact location, including the postcode, the entrance to use and a what3words address if you have one. Explain what has happened, how many people are hurt, and whether they are conscious and breathing. Follow the handler's instructions, which may include guiding CPR or telling you where the nearest public access defibrillator is. Do not hang up until told to, and use speakerphone so you can keep helping.

• Dial 999 or 112 and ask for the right service
• Give the exact location and entrance
• Say whether the casualty is conscious and breathing
• Follow the handler's instructions
• Use speakerphone and stay on the line

In this lesson you will look at two things that save lives: access and defibrillation. Keep gates unlocked during play and keep the access route clear of parked cars. Send someone to the entrance to wave down the ambulance and guide the crew to the casualty. Know where the nearest defibrillator is, whether it is at the ground or a public access device nearby, and check regularly that it is in date and ready. Defibrillators, also called AEDs, give spoken instructions and are designed to be used by anyone. Using an AED and starting CPR within the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest greatly increases the chance of survival.

• Keep gates unlocked and routes clear
• Send someone to guide the ambulance
• Know where the nearest AED is
• Check AED pads and battery regularly
• Early CPR and defibrillation save lives

In this lesson you will learn how to evacuate safely. If a fire alarm sounds or you discover a fire, raise the alarm, call 999, and leave the building by the nearest safe exit without stopping to collect belongings. Only use a fire extinguisher if you have been trained and it is safe to do so. Go to the agreed assembly point and help account for everyone, especially children and anyone with mobility needs. Keep fire exits clear and unlocked whenever the pavilion is in use. The same assembly arrangements can be used if the ground needs to be cleared for other reasons, such as a security threat or a severe storm.

• Raise the alarm and call 999
• Leave by the nearest safe exit
• Gather at the assembly point and account for everyone
• Keep fire exits clear and unlocked

In this lesson you will learn what to do if a child goes missing at the ground. Act quickly. Inform the organiser and the welfare lead, get a clear description of the child, including clothing, and ask where and when they were last seen. Organise a calm, systematic search of the ground, pavilion, car park and nearby areas, and check exits. Keep the parent or carer informed and, if possible, with a supporting adult. If the child is not found quickly, usually within around twenty minutes or sooner if there are concerns, call the police on 999. When the child is found, reassure them and record what happened.

• Act quickly and inform the welfare lead
• Get a full description and last sighting
• Search systematically and check exits
• Call 999 if not found quickly
• Record what happened afterwards

In this lesson you will learn what happens once the emergency is over. Make sure anyone affected is supported, including witnesses and helpers, because emergencies can be distressing. Contact the families of anyone hurt. Record the incident on the WFA incident form while details are fresh, and inform the committee. Some serious incidents may also need reporting to the ECB, insurers or the venue owner. Hold a short review to ask what went well and what could be improved, then update the emergency action plan. Restock the first aid kit and check the defibrillator is ready for use again. Learning from every incident makes the next response better.

• Support those affected, including helpers
• Record the incident and inform the committee
• Some incidents need reporting to others
• Review and update the plan
• Restock kits and check the AED