General Emergency Response Guidelines

Calling 911 or local emergency response coordinators is required. Your contacts can be stored in your Emergency Contact List at My Farm.

Remember when making these calls to do the following:

Speak clearly and provide the location of the accident or emergency;
Describe any victim(s) and the nature of any injuries;
Describe the emergency (fire, tornado, equipment accident, personal injury etc.);
If a fire, tornado, storm or utility emergency, describe:
- Any hazardous or flammable materials stored at this facility (fuels, bottled gases for welding or other);
- Anhydrous ammonia stored on site;
- Fuel leaks (gasoline, ethanol, biodiesel, diesel, bottled gases);
- Propane and natural gas locations and shut-off valves;
- Pesticides or fertilizer stored on site with the potential to be implicated in the emergency situation; and
- Solar panels; wind turbines, or biogas plant connected to the farm system.;
Note that you are calling from a farm and identify if animals are involved including the type and number of animals;
If equipment is related to the incident, describe:
- The nature of the accident; and
- The type of machinery (tractor, combine, disc, cultivator, etc.) or fixed equipment implicated (grain dryer/elevator, etc.).

While Waiting for Emergency Responders

Care For Injured Persons

Do not move victim(s) unless you must do so for their safety and to prevent further injury;
Render first-aid and emergency medical treatment to the best of your ability. At a minimum, attempt to provide the following assistance:
- Stop the bleeding with firm pressure on the wounds; avoid direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids; and
- Clear blocked air passages in the case of choking.

To the extent possible, use your training experience to prevent further damage to people, animals, environment and farm assets through quick and appropriate action and proper use of any emergency response equipment:

Turn off powered equipment;
Stop the flow of liquids and gases;
Use fire extinguisher; and
Use absorbents, etc.

Account for all personnel known or expected to be on the premises. Ensure that they are at the muster point, or located at the off-site meeting location.

Upon Arrival of Emergency Response Personnel

Direct them to the location of any victims or facilities that require their attention and services. Provide them with appropriate information to handle the emergency.

Avoid:

Do not make statements during the emergency response about actions, cause, blame or responsibility unless authorized to do so. An accident or emergency may have legal and financial implications;
Do not provide misinformation, especially when directing and assisting emergency responders; and
If the press or animal activists should arrive at the scene, don’t be rude. Be cordial but explain that you are focused on the care of the animals. Ask them to respect the "Biosecurity" and "Do not enter" signs. Direct them to officials on site if applicable.

How to Recover Effectively

When the emergency is over, farm management and/or skilled investigators will conduct a proper inquiry. As appropriate, take photographs of the incident scene, damage, etc. and document actions including timeline.

Contact other people as appropriate (owners, managers, employees, and neighbors) for additional assistance, as listed on your Emergency Contact list.

These procedures are to be copied, posted in conspicuous places, and maintained in good condition in facilities and equipment (in-cab or near to fixed equipment).

Replace your emergency plan with an updated version on an annual basis or more often as necessary.

Annual review and refresher training are recommended.