1. Hazardous Weather: Be Prepared
John Udall
Asst. Scoutmaster, Troop 4, BSA – Ithaca, NY
Committeee Chair, Venturing Crew 2000, BSA – Ithaca, NY
Jery Stedinger
Scoutmaster, Troop 2 Ithaca, NY

2. HAZARDOUS WEATHER: BE PREPARED!
Not all of your Troop and Crew's events enjoy perfect weather, despite the forecast. Units might experience hazardous weather situations including thunderstorms, ice or snowstorms, floods, or even a microburst or tornado. Lean how to be prepared and reduce vulnerability, weather, signs that indicate you are in trouble, and what to do when things do not look good.
Supplements National BSA Hazardous Weather training.
Period 5
Instructors: John Udall and Jery Stedinger

3. HAZARDOUS WEATHER: BE PREPARED!
GOALS:
There has been an increase in extreme weather events.
How can we –
Maintain a Year-round Camping Schedule
Be Safe
Have an Alternate Plan
Enhance Awareness & Monitoring of Weather
Manage Risk

4. What are some types of Extreme Weather Events?

5. What are some types of Extreme Weather Events?
Tornado
Lightning
Heavy Rain
Flooding
Strong Winds
Deep Snow / Blizzard
Ice Storm
Hail
Extreme Heat

6. HAZARDOUS WEATHER: Some Examples
Tornado in Elmira, NY (26-July-2012) in Ithaca, NY (28-April-2011)
Hail Storm – Golf-ball sized hail in Ithaca, NY (5-May-2012)
Hurricane Irene / Tropical Storm Lee – Flooding Susquahanna River in. rain in 24 hrs., Binghamton, NY, 7-8-Sept-2011
Ice Storm – New York / New England, 1998
Tornado destroys Scout Camp (4 killed, 50 injured), Iowa, (18-June-2008)
Lightning strike – kills scout & leader, 6 injured, St. Helena, Calif. July-2005
Lightning strike – kills Eagle Scout, 3 injured, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2005
Flood – 6 Scouts, 2 adults missing/stranded in Arkansas (2-May-2011)
Flood –Timothy O'Lear, Long Island Scout drowned returning after a weekend backpacking trip in Catskills Mtns. (Dec-2000)
over Binghamton and Susquahanna river.
"Binghamton, New York received 8.70" of rain in 24 hours September 7 - 8,"

7. Possible Outcomes caused by bad weather
Death
Injury
Bad experience
Inconvenience.

8. HAZARDOUS WEATHER: Discussion
Have you ever had to cancel
a trip due to weather?
Could you postpone or change activity?

9. HAZARDOUS WEATHER: What Can We Do?
What are pros & cons of these options:
Maintain activity as planned
Cancel activity
Postpone / re-schedule activity
Change - alternate location
Change - alternate program

10. Monitoring Weather Check weather prior to your activity
Watch 10-day forecast
Weather Underground –
Weather.com
NOAA -
Check weather forecast hrs. prior to your activity
Check weather just before you leave.
Forecast, temps, precipitation, wind, radar map

11. Monitoring Weather During your activity: Watch the sky! Smartphone
What direction does weather usually come from, relative to your location?
Smartphone
Do you have cellphone coverage?
Can you occasionally check a weather map online?
NOAA Weather Radio
How are the scouts doing?
Are they wet? Cold? Hot?

12. Make A Decision We are often reluctant to cancel because of weather
Consider the risks
Evaluate conditions
Know your options
Consult others – share responsibility
Be smart – use your brain – Think!
Decide, and then Act!
Don’t be afraid to change mid-stream if conditions warrant. But don’t wait until it is too late.

13. Have a Plan (or 2 or 3) Primary activity plan A should include:
Safe campsite location
Access to hard shelter (cabin, lean-to, or cars) ?
What if you cancel mid-way through?
Extraction points
Map with access to roads & parking areas
Communications plan
Don’t count on cellphone coverage
Key contact + phone-tree organized ahead of time
Transportation Plan
Cars – Drivers – Going where?
Tow chain, jumper cables, shovel, flares
What do you need to consider?

14. Have a Plan (or 2 or 3) Plan B – Alternative location or start time
Sometimes postponing start of activity (a few hours or overnight) is sufficient.
Need planning materials ready (maps with alt. route, campsites shown, etc.)
Communication plan – to inform participants and parents/guardians of change.
What do you need to consider?

15. Have a Plan (or 2 or 3) Plan C – Different Activity
If you can’t do what you originally planned, do something else! Don’t completely cancel and lose the weekend?
What could you do?
Do you have planning materials for Plan C
(description of activity, location, logistics, etc.)
Communication to execute plan C – inform participants and parents/guardians of change.
Transportation plan – Where/when drop-off & pick-up
What do you need to consider?

16. Plan A: Site Selection & Camp Setup
Follow good camping practices:
Campsite selection:
Consider flooding, run-off,
wind direction,
Watch out for dead trees /hanging branches (widow-makers)
Proper Tent setup. Have a dining fly/tarp.
Are you using an established campsite? Does it have a shelter? Is it safe from weather?
Proper clothing & rain-gear (no cotton?)
Monitor the weather (pay attention!)

17. Know When to Cancel
What conditions might lead you to decide to cancel a trip?
Sometimes safe thing to do is to cancel an activity mid-stream.
Consider different weather conditions.

18. Outdoors: Safety Resources

19. See Guide to Safe Scouting;
“Sweet 16” of BSA Safety
Qualified supervision
Physical fitness
Buddy system
Safe area or course
Equipment selection and maintenance
Personal safety equipment
Safety procedures and policies
Skill level limits
Weather check
Planning
Communications
Permits and notices
First aid resources
Applicable laws
CPR resource
Discipline
See Guide to Safe Scouting;
SM Handbook, Chapter 9

20. Safety Courses Weather Hazards Safe Swim Defense Safety Afloat
Trek Safely
Climb On Safely
Always consult: Guide to Safe Scouting

21. Thoughts to Go A scoutmaster’s first responsibility is safety.
There will be other weekends.
Stay alert to weather, your crew and feasible options.
Your unit should be prepared.
What are your two backup plans.
Can you divert to a safer location & setting
to still have an event that weekend?
Develop skills and equipment to deal with extremes.
Do not depend on cell phones.

22. Discussion/Evaluation
Thank you!
Please fill out the evaluation form for this class.