In the event of an injury or health emergency:

1. Any staff member who is first aware of, or is made aware of, an injury or medical emergency should immediately take charge and assess the situation as quickly as possible. This is an important step in that the following action items may have to be performed almost simultaneously:
   
   1. Clear the area of unnecessary personnel.
   2. Assign someone to find and inform one of the First-Aid Assistance Contact Personnel listed on the bulletin boards throughout the agency.
   3. If the situation warrants, assign a specific person to call 911. In most cases, this will be an individual judgment call. However, as a general guide, the following symptoms or visible conditions are sufficient criteria to obtain EMS assistance:
      a. Unconsciousness;
      b. Suffocation or breathing difficulties;
      c. Severe pain (or pain/pressure in chest);
      d. Severe bleeding;
      e. Any other life-threatening or permanently disabling injury or illness.
      
      
2. Try to make the injured or ill as comfortable as possible. Unless you are trained in basic first aid, do not render treatment.You might complicate the situation or cause additional injury.
   
   
3. Once someone with a higher level of medical ability arrives at the scene, relinquish control and stand by to assist or follow that individual’s instructions.
   
   
4. If 911 is called, have someone meet the EMS vehicle and escort the crew to the scene.

Additional resources for medical emergencies include:

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)