The agency may not approve a camp’s emergency preparedness license unless the camp has an emergency plan that protects campers and meets this section’s requirements.
(a) The agency shall not approve an emergency preparedness license for a camp unless the camp maintains an emergency plan that provides for the protection and safety of campers and complies with the requirements of this section. (b) An emergency plan shall contain procedures for responding to all of the following situations: (1) A lost camper. (2) A fire on camp premises. (3) A severe illness, injury, or death of a camper, staff member, or visitor which occurs on camp premises or while under the supervision of a staff member. (4) An incident or condition involving a watercourse, lake, or pond within or near the camp. (5) A warning of impending severe weather, such as torrential rain, hail, thunderstorm, or a tornado. (6) An outbreak of sickness or an epidemic. (7) An unauthorized individual on the campsite. (8) Any natural disaster that threatens life or property. (9) An emergency or incident related to transportation of campers or staff members during the days of a camp session. (c) An emergency plan shall designate one or more locations for campers and staff members to gather in case of an emergency that requires an evacuation of the camp or a shelter in place. (d)(1) An emergency plan shall contain a procedure for responses to emergency threats as applicable to the camp as listed in subsection (b), which shall include, but not be limited to, both of the following: a. Communication to campers and staff members on use of prescribed evacuation routes. b. Procedures for nighttime evacuation. (2) The agency may prescribe that each camp have one or more staff members to be the designated emergency preparedness coordinators to monitor weather conditions, act as liaison with the local organization, and ensure compliance with staff training pursuant to Section 31-9-169(c)(2). (e) An emergency plan shall contain a procedure to shelter in place in case of a tornado, a severe thunderstorm warning, or other sudden threat in which evacuation is impractical or increases the risk of harm to campers. (f) The procedures developed pursuant to subsections (b) through (e) shall include all of the following: (1) A protocol for identifying and accounting for each camper affected by the emergency event. (2) Notification of the local organization, with a provision for ongoing communication with the local organization as conditions unfold during an emergency. (3) Ongoing communication between the camp operator and all essential staff members pursuant to Section 31-9-165(2). (4) Notification to each parent or legal guardian of a camper of the emergency event and the safety measures taken as soon as reasonably possible in relation to the emergency. (g) In the preparation of an emergency plan, a camp operator or emergency preparedness coordinator may consult with the local organization, the agency, the American Camp Association, or another professional group for camps concerning the implementation of best practices.