Central City High School

Activities Department

Emergency Action Plan

Purpose of EAP: To provide Central City High School Athletics with an emergency action plan (EAP) in case of a serious or life-threatening condition that arises during practice or competitions.  Athletic trainer (AT), coaches, and others involved in athletics must constantly be on guard for potential injuries, and although the occurrence of limb-threatening or life-threatening emergencies is not common, the potential exists. Therefore, prepared emergency responders must have planned in advance for the action to be taken in the event of such an emergency.

Need for EAP: The EAP has been categorized as a written document that defines the standard of care required during an emergency situation.  Serious emergencies rarely happen but when they do, a quick, organized response can make a difference between a successful and unsuccessful reaction to an emergency.  An EAP that is well planned will provide responders with the approach they need for an effective response.  Also of significance is the legal basis for the development and application of an emergency plan. It is well known that organizational medical personnel, including certified athletic trainers, have a legal duty as reasonable and prudent professionals to ensure high quality care of the participants.

Emergency Contacts: Fixed phones are not available outside school buildings.  In the instance that a fixed phone line is not available, cell phones are carried by AT, coaches, and athletic staff and even spectators if necessary.  The following is a list of important phone numbers needed in case of emergency:

Josh Salinas, AT………………………………………………………..…….....402-681-0721

Justin Anderson, AP/AD………………........................................................402-430-9150

Holee Hanke, HS/MS Principal………………………………………………...308-750-1433

High School Phone……………………………………………………………...308-946-3086

Hillary Ferris, School Nurse…………………………………………………….308-946-3086

Lone Tree Medical……………………………………………………………….308-946-3845

Merrick Medical Center………………………………………………………….308-946-3015

Ambulance, Fire, Police…………………………………………………………..………....911              

Information to be provided over the phone in case of emergency:

1.     Name and phone number you are calling from

2.     Exact location of emergency and directions (street names, buildings, landmarks, entry into buildings, specific areas, etc.)

3.     Type of injury or illness

4.     Condition of patient(s) and type of aid being provided

5.     Number of people injured

6.     Other information as requested and be the last one to hang up

AT will make the decision to call EMS and will personally make the call or they may assign a responsible person to call.  Local EMS should also have a map of campus to aid in the response of an emergency.  A map is located at the end of this document.

Chain of Command:

AT is in charge of emergencies until EMS arrives.  Doctors will assist if summoned by AT.  Coaches, CPR/AED/First Aid certified students, student AT’s (if applicable) are also available to assist AT but only if asked.  The only exceptions are the visiting AT, who is responsible for their team, and when AT is not at games or practices the head coach is in charge until AT or EMS arrive.

Emergency Qualifications:

It is required that AT and coaches are trained in CPR, AED, and first aid. Staff involved in athletic activities should comply with this rule if approved by BOE and certified in CPR, AED, and First Aid.  It is recommended that all personnel also be trained in the prevention of disease transmission.  EMS will not be on site for games or practices since they are located close enough to respond quickly to an emergency.

      I.     General Preparation

A.     All coaches are required to be trained in first aid and CPR

B.     All coaches are to have emergency contact information for all students under their care (i.e. athletes, stat keepers, managers, etc.) during all team functions.

C.     Coaches should have a cell phone with them to serve as a back- up means of contacting the athletic trainer or athletic director, or to contact a student’s parents or EMS if necessary.  AEDs are required to be at the practice or game field or within a reasonable distance.  See “AED Placement'' below.

     II.     Injury Management

A.     If the AT is at the field at the time of the injury the AT will evaluate and treat the injury.  The coach will contact the athlete’s parents.

B.     If the injury is life threatening, the AT will provide first aid while the coach contacts 911 and activates EMS.  The coach will also contact the athlete’s parents and the athletic director (AD) who will then contact the building principal.

1.     The coach will then assist the AT with first aid as needed

2.      The AD/Site Manager will serve as crowd control if necessary.  They will also ensure that EMS can access the site.  If the AD/Site Manager is not present, a coach will perform this function.

C.     If the AT is not at the field the coach will contact the AT and provide first aid as able until the AT arrives.

1.     If the AT is not present at the field and the injury is apparently life threatening (i.e. unconscious athlete, seizure, severe respiratory distress, spinal injury) the coach will call 911 and activate EMS while an assistant coach or responsible student summons the AT and AD.

2.     In cases of sudden cardiac arrest the coach will activate EMS and initiate CPR including AED if available while an assistant coach or responsible student summons the AT.

D.    If no AT is available, the coach will provide first aid for all injuries as able.  In the event of severe or life threatening injuries the coach will activate EMS and provide first aid as able.  The coach, or an assistant coach, will contact the AD and the athlete’s parents.  In the event of sudden cardiac arrest the coach will initiate CPR and will send an assistant coach or a responsible athlete to retrieve the AED if there is not one already at the field. 

E.     After an injury the coach, AT, and AD will ensure that the appropriate report is filled out and filed with the school.  They will also follow up with the athlete or the athlete’s parents to ascertain how the athlete is progressing.           

   III.     Environmental  Conditions

A.      Heat Illness

1.     In hot weather, coaches will arrange practice schedules to allow for gradual heat acclimatization

2.     In hot weather, coaches will modify practices to decrease duration and intensity. 

3.     Cold water will be available during practices and games

4.     Athletes showing signs or symptoms of heat illness should be immediately removed from participation and be treated with ice bags to the armpits, groin, neck, hands and feet. 

a.      The coach will summon the AT who can then transport the athlete to the athletic training office for cold water immersion

b.     In cases of suspected heat stroke (altered mental status, vomiting, loss of consciousness), the coach shall summon the AT to allow cold water immersion to begin as soon as possible and then activate EMS.

B.     Cold Injury

1.     Athletes suspected of hypothermia or frostbite should immediately be removed from the cold environment.  The AT, assistant coach, or responsible student should accompany the injured athlete indoors

2.     The AT, if not present, shall be summoned to meet the athlete indoors for further evaluation.

C.      Lightning

1.      Coaches shall always be alert to the sound of thunder or sight of lightning flashes.  Coaches should check weather reports prior to practices and games and be especially vigilant if storms are predicted. 

2.     In the event that lightning is seen or thunder is heard all participants will immediately move into either the high school or middle school.  Safe locations include: fully enclosed buildings with wiring and plumbing (i.e. schools, homes, field houses) and fully enclosed motor vehicles (i.e. buses, cars, vans).  Locations that are not fully enclosed and do not have wiring and plumbing are not considered safe.  These include: Press boxes, golf carts, and open garages. 

3.     In the event of lightning related injury, EMS will be activated.  If the athlete is conscious and able to be moved to a safe place, this should be done immediately.  If moving the athlete is not possible the coach will begin first aid as able and summon the AT. 

   IV.     Injury Management in Helmeted Sports

A.      Coaches will keep the helmet tool box with them during games and practices

B.     In the event of an unconscious athlete or suspected spinal injury, the head coach will activate EMS and summon the AT. 

C.     The helmet’s facemask should be removed in order to allow access to the athlete’s airway.

D.    The helmet and shoulder pads should be left in place.  They should only be removed if the following apply

1.      The airway cannot be accessed by removal of the facemask.

2.     The helmet does not fit properly and therefore does not provide adequate spinal stabilization

E.      In the event the helmet needs to be removed the helmet and shoulder pads should be removed together.  

    V.     AED Distribution

A.     An AED must be within a “reasonable distance” from any high school game or practice. 

B.     AEDs are mounted in the high school, located outside the trainers office.  Sports utilizing the high school gymnasiums, the wrestling room, or weight room will use the AED outside the trainer’s office or gym in the event of an emergency. Coaches should familiarize themselves with the locations of these devices.

C.     The school nurse will regularly check all AEDs on campus to ensure their batteries and electrodes have not expired.

VI.   Procedures for Various Sport Locations at Central City Public Schools:

A.     Indoor Practices for the Fall, Winter and Spring Sports - In case of emergency a cell phone at the court will be used by AT/Coach.  AT/Coach will give directions for EMS to the area if necessary.  

Central City Middle School - 2815 17th Avenue, Central City, NE 68826

Central City High School - 1510 28th Street, Central City, NE 68826

Central City Elementary School - 1711 15th Ave, Central City, NE 68826

Someone will be assigned to meet EMS at the entrance to the parking lot.

B.  Home varsity football games will have the school physician and an ambulance present on the field. Injuries will be evaluated by the AT and school physician.  The AT will contact the athlete’s parents. For injuries required ER transport via EMS, the ambulance crew chief will be summoned and the EMS crew will be brought onto the field.  Injured athletes may be transported to the ER by EMS or by the athlete’s parents at the discretion of the physician.  The school physician will have final say in all matters of ER transport. 

VII.          Hospitals

Bryan Merrick Medical Center - 1715 26th Street, Central City, NE  68826

 VIII     Off-Campus Site Specific Guidelines

Golf - Valley View Country Club - 2407 NE-14, Marquette, NE  68854

Baseball - Kernel Field - 2019 10th Street, Central City, NE  68826

Softball - 2502 16th Avenue, Central City, NE  68826

1. If no AT is available, the coach will provide first aid for all injuries as able.  In the event of severe or life threatening injuries the coach will activate EMS and provide first aid as able.  The coach, or an assistant coach, will contact the AD and the athlete’s parents.  In the event of sudden cardiac arrest the coach will initiate CPR and will send a responsible athlete to notify the management of the situation.

2. After an injury the coach, AT, and AD will ensure that the appropriate report is filled out and filed with the school.  They will also follow up with the athlete or the athlete’s parents to ascertain how the athlete is progressing.