Emergency plan

Operations Lead – Jerry Declark
1-519-532-5968

Emergency Commander – Deanna McCreery
 1-204-296-8406

Show Director – Rob O’Connor
1-306-550-4890

In the event of lightning, high winds or threat of tornado, the severe weather action plan should be followed.

Announce on Channel 1

Emergency Reporter: “This is (name), I have an emergency, I am moving to channel 5.”

Move to Channel 5

Emergency Reporter: “This is (name), I have an emergency requiring your services.”

Emergency Service: Respond with “(name), what is your emergency, what is your location?”

Emergency Reporter: Respond with location details, including landmarks are helpful.

Emergency Service: Acknowledge location & provide an ETA

Lost Child or Parent 

• Code P – Papa – You have a PARENT without a child
• Code C – Charlie – You have a CHILD without parent

Announce on Channel 1 

Emergency Reporter: “This is (name), I have a Code (C or P) requiring emergency services, I am moving to channel 5.” 

 Move to Channel 5 to report details 

• If Code P – Papa (Missing child) 

Emergency Commander notify gate staff on channel 2 to close all gates and not allow any vehicles to leave grounds and parking fields. If a guest vehicle would like to leave, they MUST consent to a vehicle search before being allowed to leave the grounds. 

Once the details of the missing child have been confirmed all staff must be notified on channel Request a recent photo of the child and text to Emergency Commander to circulate to Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show staff. 

All show staff and volunteers should be observant towards unaccompanied children or children being held against their will. 

• If Code C – Charlie (Missing parent) 

Once the details of the missing parent have been confirmed all staff must be notified on channel 1. All show staff and volunteers should be observant towards any parents who are looking for a lost child. 

Active Threat (such as live shooter or bomb threat) 

• Code Black 
• Code Green 

Announce on Channel 1 

Emergency Reporter: “This is (name), I have a Code (Black) requiring emergency services, I am moving to channel 5.” 

Move to Channel 5 to report details  

• If Code Black – Active Threat 

Emergency Commander will gather details of the report and immediately contact security and law enforcement. Staff will be notified to implement Hold & Secure procedures: lock or secure doors where possible, direct attendees to remain inside the nearest secure location, and restrict movement until an all-clear is given. 

Sample Coded Announcement (Staff Alert):
“Attention staff and management: Code Black. Please initiate Hold and Secure procedures immediately. Repeat, Code Black. Hold and Secure.” 

Sample Attendee-Facing Announcement (Neutral Language):
“Attention, ladies and gentlemen. For your safety, please remain inside the building and follow all instructions from staff and security. Movement is temporarily restricted. We will provide further updates shortly.” 

• If Code Green – All Clear 

Once law enforcement and show management have confirmed that the threat has been resolved, an All Clear (Code Green) will be announced by Emergency Commander ONLY. Staff will carefully guide attendees back to normal operations in an orderly manner. 

Sample Coded Announcement (Staff Alert):
“Attention staff and management: Code Green. The situation has been resolved. Resume normal operations.” 

Sample Attendee-Facing Announcement (Neutral Language):
“Attention, ladies and gentlemen. The situation has been resolved and it is now safe to resume normal activities. Thank you for your cooperation.” 

If a safe shelter is required, the following are the safest locations on the grounds:

• Site Office – Doug Wagner Way
• John Deere Building – Southeast Gate
• Kubota Building – Southwest, South Mall and 1st Lane
• New Holland Building, 7th Lane and Middle Machinery Mall
• WeCover Building, 7th Lane and Upper Machinery Mall 
• OFA Building, 7th Lane and Upper Machinery Mall 
• Pride Building, Northwest, North Mall and 1st Lane 
• Pioneer Building, Upper Machinery Mall and 1st Lane 
• Operations Building, Doug Wagner Way 
• Your Ultimate Structures Building, South Mall and 6th Lane 

Lightning Within 24- or 16-Kilometers Announcement:

“May I have your attention please? There is a lightning storm within 24 or 16 kilometers of the area. Please be alert and have a plan to move to a safe facility or your vehicle. Tents are transparent to lightning; they are not a safe place to shelter. The following are the safest facilities on site: Site Office, Abattoir, John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, We Cover, OFA, Pride, Pioneer, Operations Buildings, Your Ultimate Structures (Booth S-K) or your personal vehicle.”

LIGHTNING WITH 12 KILOMETERS ANNOUNCEMENT:

“May I have your attention please? There is a lightning storm occurring in the area. Currently, we ask that you move to your vehicle immediately. If this is not an option take shelter in the nearest safe facility. Tents are transparent to lightning; they are not a safe shelter. The following are the safest facilities on site: Site Office, Abattoir, John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, We Cover, OFA, Pride, Pioneer, Your Ultimate Structures (Booth S-K), or the Operations Buildings. Please refrain from utilizing telephones, cellular phones, or any other electronic devices.”

Wind Warning (Greater Than 50 km/hour) Announcement:

“May I have your attention please? Wind speeds have exceeded 50 KM/hour. If wind speeds progress to greater than 64 KM, we will be asking you to move to your vehicles for safety. Currently, we ask that you be alert and be prepared to move to your vehicle.”

WINDS GREATER THAN 64 KM/HOUR ANNOUNCEMENT:

“May I have your attention please? Wind speeds have exceeded 64 KM/hour. Currently, we ask that you move to your vehicle for safety. Again, wind speeds have exceeded 64 KM/hour, please move to your vehicle. If this is not an option, the following are the safest facilities on site: Site Office, Abattoir, John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, We Cover, OFA, Pride, Pioneer, or the Operations Buildings. Our team will notify you when it is safe to come back into the trade show area.”

Tornado Watch Announcement:

“May I have your attention please? A tornado watch has been issued for our area. Currently, we ask that you evacuate the show grounds. If you can get to your vehicle immediately, please do so. If this is not an option take shelter in the nearest safe facility. The following are the safest facilities on site: Site Office, Abattoir, John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, We Cover, OFA, Pride, Pioneer, Your Ultimate Structures (Booth S-K), or the Operations Buildings.”

TORNADO WARNING ANNOUNCEMENT:

“May I have your attention please? A tornado warning has been issued for our area. Everyone should seek shelter immediately. The following are the safest facilities on site: Site Office, Abattoir, John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, We Cover, OFA, Pride, Pioneer, Your Ultimate Structures (Booth S-K), or the Operations Buildings.”

Jerry Declark – Operations Lead
1-519-532-5968

• Make the final emergency response decisions based on the emergency plan, and severe weather action plan 
• Consult with Emergency Services if required 
• Confirm that all Emergency Chain of Command team members received the notification and can fulfill their duties

Deanna McCreery – Emergency Commander
1-204-296-8406

• Monitor weather conditions, and update the Emergency Response Chain of Command team members as necessary 
• Communicate with Operations Lead to support official decisions on declaring emergencies 
• Monitor traffic, be sure all precautionary measures are in place to get people off site as quickly as possible 
• Acts as main point of contact for emergency services requiring information on a developing situation (i.e, demonstrations)  
• Reports developing emergencies to Show Director as required
• Fulfill the duties of the Operations Lead in the event they are unavailable 

Laura Masson – Emergency Response Team Captain
1-519-788-9946

Carm Molnar – Pavilions (OMAFA)

1-519-421-2082

• Support Emergency Commander as assigned
• Travel each street to provide the warning message to exhibitors and attendees of the action plan
• If high winds, or tornado warning, request umbrellas, pop up tents be lowered

John LeNoury – Pavilions (Rural Pavilion) 
1-416-407-2633

• • Support Emergency Commander as assigned
  • Travel each street to provide the warning message to exhibitors and attendees of the action plan
  • If high winds, or tornado warning, request umbrellas, pop up tents be lowered

CALLING THE VET 

• COFS must attempt to contact owner/caretaker before calling the vet. In extreme situations, COFS reserves the right to call the vet 

 EMERGENCY SUPPLIES 

• Supplies to remove deceased animals (straps & chains) will be found in operations 

 SICK/INJURED ANIMAL 

• Be alert for animals showing signs of sickness (not eating, discharges, lethargy) 
• Speak with the owner/caretaker to determine how long animal has shown symptoms, treatment plans, and next steps 
• If an animal must be removed from the site, follow-up with owner/caretaker on status 
• Inform other exhibitors with livestock in the same building/tent, or within 100’ of outdoor exhibit, so that they can monitor other livestock 
• Encourage exhibitor to disinfect any equipment, penning, etc. that the animal may have been in contact with 
• Continue monitoring animal health in that area 

 ANIMAL EMERGENCY, INCLUDING LOOSE ANIMAL 

Notify Livestock Coordinator on Channel One if you think an animal needs a vet or for any other problem 

 In case of a loose animal, inform Livestock Coordinator on Channel 1 and then switch to Channel Two to notify Gate Staff that an animal is loose  

• If the gate staff have visibility of the loose animal, they should be instructed to shut their gates temporarily to contain the loose animal 
• If the animal is loose during show time and is taking a considerable amount of time to contain, a PA announcement should be made to inform attendees to avoid the area until further notice. 
• Only Emergency Response Team & owners will be involved in containing loose animals, unless back-up is required.  

 NON-MOBILE/DECEASED ANIMAL ON SITE 

If a non-mobile or deceased animal is identified on site, inform Livestock Coordinator on Channel 1.  

• If animal is non mobile: Livestock Coordinator to contact owner and proceed as per their direction.  
• If animal is deceased: Livestock Coordinator will block attendee access to the area and determine necessary equipment required and inform Emergency Response Team to convene at the site  
• COFS skid steer to be used if necessary 
• Animal to be removed and covered while transported to behind the berm at the south side of the site and Atwood to be informed of a pickup by Livestock Coordinator  

 EVACUATION & SHELTER EMERGENCIES 

• When an evacuation has been ordered, COFS Livestock Coordinator will be ensuring livestock owners are contacted immediately 
• Owners and contact information is stored online 
• Owners or emergency contacts will be told to evacuate animals if absolutely necessary 
•  Livestock owners will be required to have transportation on site or a plan to transport their animal 

Animals should only be evacuated if absolutely necessary. It is generally safest for both livestock and exhibitors/attendees to leave livestock where they are comfortable 

 DAIRY INNOVATION CENTRE FIRE 

• Call Livestock Coordinator on Channel 1 to make their way to the DIC immediately 
• Safety Coordinator arrange team and operators to clear traffic and make physical barricades along route 
• Notify gates staff on Channel 2 to close all gates 
• Take cows out of the front of the barn 
• Livestock Coordinator will assign someone to notify staff at Gallagher  
• Herd them into the Pasture Grazing Demo area 
• Be aware that panicked animals will be hesitant to leave a barn that they identify as a safe area normally 
• AT NO TIME SHOULD ANYONE PUT THEIR OWN SAFETY INTO JEOPARDY TO SAVE AN ANIMAL 

PROTESTORS 

Protestors will not be allowed on the show site grounds. A designated protest area will be located in the north parking area across from main entrance gate 2.  This area will be monitored by the OPP and show management. 

In the event protesters are found on site, notify the Livestock Coordinator on Channel 1, and appropriate actions will be taken to remove protesters from the show site. Woodstock police will be engaged to remove protestors from show site. 

Should the protester activity escalate, or garner media attention, Emergency Commander 2 will work with the Show Director to ensure appropriate media response is made.