Addressing Project Emergencies

Emergencies happen. In the event of an emergency (e.g., a volunteer is injured on-site, 911 needs to be called to a project), please follow the steps below as closely as the situation allows: 

Ensure that Community Partner staff are aware of and involved in the situation. Staff are on-site and available during projects to support with incidents and emergencies. Know that as a Team Leader, you are not alone in these scenarios!  

Ensure that volunteers on the project are safe. 

• If warranted, appoint someone to call 911 for appropriate help immediately. 
• If someone is injured or sick, do what is necessary to stabilize the individual. Do not move an injured or sick person unless you have no other choice. 
• Use first aid knowledge only if you are confident. Many injuries are made worse by “helpful” bystanders. 
• While you attend to the medical emergency, make sure someone else is attending to the other volunteers. They should be moved away from the injured party.  

As soon as possible, contact the New York Cares Emergency Line (212-402-1102.) Trained New York Cares staff members monitor this number and are available to support you.  

Be prepared to give New York Cares staff the following info: 

• Where you are – the exact street address or a detailed description of the location 
• Exactly what happened and to whom 
• People you already contacted – e.g., emergency assistance, Community Partner staff 
• Phone number where you can be reached if staff need to call back. If you don’t make the call from your own phone, please let New York Cares know where and how they can reach you. 
• The type of help that you need, if any, from New York Cares staff 

Cooperate fully with any uniformed or official assistance on the scene. 

For everyone’s protection, do not discuss the situation with anyone who is not involved. It is often difficult for any one person to know all the facts. If necessary, a New York Cares staff member will make any official statement.