Risk Management
INTRODUCTIONThese resources were created to help you to develop a risk management system for your program. Risk management is the process of reducing the risk of harm to individuals involved in your program to an acceptable level. Additionally, a risk management program seeks to reduce the likelihood of harm to your organization.
In the context of outdoor programs, our risk management focus areas will be physical safety, emotional safety, and child abuse prevention. We will also consider emergency response systems and insurance/legal considerations. Addressing these areas is an ethical obligation for outdoor programs and may help to reduce the potential for legal liability. Most of the guidance provided will be based upon the good practices developed in established outdoor programs.
GUIDE Risk Management Introduction & Overview
This guide was created to give you an introduction and overview of risk management and includes information on prevention, types of risk, systemic risk management, and basic risk management.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
This section will guide you through the process of developing a comprehensive Emergency Response Plan for your organization.
GUIDE Emergency Response Primer
This guide was created to give you an overview of the process of creating a comprehensive emergency response plan.
SAMPLE Emergency Plan
This document effectively outlines emergency protocols for outdoor programs and was developed to clarify expectations for staff, volunteers and participants and to serve as guidelines for what to do in an emergency situation while on trips.
SAMPLE Crisis Communication Plan
This document is a sample plan used to effectively manage communications to mitigate crisis or serious negative repercussions to an organization.
SAMPLE Emergency Response Planning Overview
This document includes information on the purpose and key features of an Emergency Response Plan and covers why you need one and how it is used.
INSURANCE
Insurance is one way of financially protecting your program and those involved in it and is often required by partners. The content in this section will give you the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate and make appropriate decisions on insurance for your program.
GUIDE Insurance Primer
This guide was created to give you an overview of the information you’ll need to adequately insure your organization.
SAMPLE Applying for Insurance Guide
This document is a practical guide with information on what you need when applying for or renewing insurance.
YOUTH PROTECTION
This section provides the tools and resources you’ll need to develop policies, procedures and trainings for your organization to effectively protect the youth in your programs.
GUIDE Youth Protection Primer
This document serves as a guide to give you an overview of considerations to keep youth in your program protected from abuse.
SAMPLES TOOLS and GUIDELINES for Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention
This is a series of tools designed to train and educate staff and volunteers on child abuse recognition and prevention.