Life-threatening incidents/emergencies/fatalities that require rescue or evacuation should be reported immediately by telephone to 1-888-OUTINGS (888-688-4647) or 001-303-281-9914 if calling internationally. See below for more details.

Outings Incident Form Link (choose Outings from menu):  https://sierraclub.tfaforms.net/f/incident-type

For Angeles Chapter incidents: Complete the online form and then send / forward the response email confirmation ("Thank you for your submission" or "response Report") to the Angeles Chapter Safety Committee investigator at  angeleschaptersafety@gmail.com and send to your Outings Chair and Chair.

Sierra Club expects incidents to occur throughout our program and operations. All leaders and volunteers are expected to promptly report incidents in order for us all to learn and to continue to build a culture of safety. An Incident Report must be completed for any occurrence that threatens or causes personal or organizational loss including physical, emotional or property damage. Sierra Club also encourages the reporting of Near Misses where there was no loss or damage, but given a slight shift in time or position, damage or injury could have occurred.

Emergencies are events that threaten the life or limb of outings participants. Examples include fatalities, serious injuries requiring evacuation and hospitalization, or wildfire. 

Incidents are less serious events that require modification of the outing such as injuries that require later referral to a doctor, lost participant, violation of law, and near misses (injury was narrowly avoided). 

In the event of an Emergency, provide first aid to the level of your training and certification.

• Obtain consent to treat unless the patient is nonresponsive.
• Manage the need for an evacuation unless taken over by emergency services or relieved by a higher authority.
• Contact the proper local authorities or emergency services (911) for assistance as soon as possible.
• Report all outings incidents and emergencies to Program Safety within 48 hours whenever possible at:
  • 1-888-OUTINGS - 888-688-4647 or 001-303-281-9914 (international)
  • InReach or Zoleo, send it to EVERYONE listed here:
    • Nancy Crane 314-610-4099
    • Amberleigh Hammond 303-717-4296
    • Doug Sandok 415-212-9203

The 888-OUTINGS Emergency Line is the primary way to reach the Outings Safety Team during non-office hours and weekends as the Outings Safety Team is not guaranteed to answer their personal and work phones after hours.

The Club no longer requires reports of positive COVID tests. Report any instance of a person becoming sick during or after the trip, or testing positive if they voluntarily share that information with you.  

Incident Report must be filed for:

• Outings Leaders will report the following incident types (not an exhaustive list) through the Outings Incident Report Form on Campfire:
• Require more than simple first aid.
• Require care by a medical professional.
• Require evacuation from the field.
• Lost or missing participant or volunteer.
• New! Early Departure from a multi-day outing (backpack, car camp, domestic or international trip) for any reason.
• All vehicle related incidents that occur on an Outing
• Violations of local, state, or federal law on an Outing
• Failure to observe/follow policy
• Unintentional swims 
• Incidents that require rescue actions (throw rope or vertical rescue)
• Accusation or report of abuse or neglect of a minor, whether on or off Outings
• Incidents and interactions that significantly impact the group’s experience.
•  Any occurrence that threatens or causes personal or organizational loss including physical, emotional, or property damage
• Results in a Near Miss (injury was narrowly avoided, or given a slight shift in circumstances, damage or injury could have occurred )
• Fatality

Additional: an incident that compromises the outing's objective for all or some participants, including:

• Lost person(s)
• Altitude sickness or heat illness
• A problem participant / disruptive behavior
• Recurrence of a prior condition, e.g., a prior injury or heart or respiratory condition.

An Incident Report does not need to be filed for minor injuries such as scratches and blisters, or other personal illnesses that will not likely have future complications (exceptions for WTC and ICO and a situation involving any likelihood of the person not finding their way back to a trailhead).  

***WTC LEADERS: See your Staff Guide and website for more detail on reporting and why. Contact your area chair, WTC Chair or WTC outings chairs if you need help. When you fill it out and receive a "Thank you" confirmation email from the system, please forward that email to the Safety investigator and the WTC Chair and other names as in your Guide.