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Preparing for Emergencies in Youth Programs:

Program directors operating programs with custodial care over minors must have a written safety plan for reasonably foreseeable emergencies that are specific to the location of the program, the nature of the program, and consider the age range of the participants. Cornell’s Emergency Action Guide is a good resource for developing these plans, however that plan is geared toward adult students and employees, and not minors; the program’s safety plan must include plans to assist minors during an emergency and to provide appropriate supervision during emergencies, emergency communication plans, and a lost participant plan.

Any accidents, injuries, or illnesses that occur during the program must be reported to CYS. 

To be prepared in the event of an emergency, program directors and all authorized persons should:

  • Ensure that they are set up to receive CornellALERT emergency notification messages.
  • Download the Rave Guardian app.
  • Ensure the phone number for the security team appropriate to the program’s location is in their phone:
    • Ithaca Campus: Cornell Police (607-255-1111) 
    • Cornell AgriTech: AgriTech Security (315-787-2215) or local law enforcement 
    • Cornell Tech: Campus Safety & Security (646-971-3611) 
    • Weill Cornell Medicine-NYC: WCM Security Office (212-746-0911)

Off-campus programs should dial 911.

Program directors are responsible for ensuring that there is an efficient way to contact parents/guardians of all minor participants in the event of an emergency.

To ensure the physical health and safety of participants, CYS recommends having at least some authorized persons in each program certified in First Aid and CPR/AED. 

View training options here, the American Red Cross, or contact the local county Department of Health.

Note for programs that are considered children’s camps and permitted by the New York State Department of Health:

DoH permitted camp programs must:

  • Use the DoH safety plan template instead of Cornell’s.
  • Follow state requirements for first aid and CPR/AED training for authorized persons.
  • Have a health director on staff.

More information can be found here. Please direct any questions to CYS and/or the local health department.

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