Professional shooting grounds should have most or all of the following procedures in place; for the safety of employees of the ground and the public using it. Smaller grounds and individual coaches can adapt all or some of it for their own purposes. 

1. Fire Emergency Procedure

  • Designated fire assembly points, clearly signed and known to all staff.
  • Evacuation routes mapped and unobstructed.
  • Staff trained in:
    • Raising the alarm
    • Directing shooters to safe areas
    • Accounting for all persons on site
  • Fire extinguishers placed at:
    • Clubhouse
    • Ranges
    • Ammunition storage
    • Machinery sheds
    • Annual fire risk assessment and drills.

2. Medical Emergency Procedure

  • At least one trained first aider on duty at all times.
  • Fully stocked first aid kits at:
    • Clubhouse
    • Range control point
    • Vehicle used for ground maintenance
    • A.E.D (defibrillator) posted.
  • Procedure for:
    • Immediate first aid response
    • Contacting emergency services
    • Guiding ambulances to the correct access point
    • Incident reporting and follow-up documentation.

3. Firearms Related Incident Procedure 
(Accidental discharge, injury, equipment failure, unsafe behaviour)

  •  Immediate ceasefire protocol.
  • Range officer takes control and secures all firearms.
  • Provide first aid if needed.
  • Preserve the scene for investigation.
  • Collect witness statements.
  • Mandatory incident report completed by staff.
  • Notification to governing bodies if required.

4. Severe Weather Procedure

  • Lightning protocol:
    • Immediate ceasefire
    • Evacuate to safe indoor shelter
  • High winds:
    • Suspend trap/skeet operations if targets become unpredictable
    • Extreme heat/cold:
      • Hydration and shelter guidance
      • Adjusted operating hours if necessary.

5. Lost or Missing Person Procedure

  • Staff alerted immediately.
  • Systematic search of:
    • Car park
    • Clubhouse
    • Ranges
    • Woodland/field boundaries
  • If a child or vulnerable person is missing, escalate to police without delay.
  • Log times, actions, and persons involved.

6. Ammunition or Hazardous Material Incident

  • Spill, fire risk, or suspected instability triggers:
    • Evacuation of immediate area
    • Isolation of materials
    • Contact with emergency services if required
    • Secure storage procedures reviewed regularly.

7. Vehicle or Machinery Accident Procedure

  • Stop all shooting if the incident is near active ranges.
  • Provide first aid.
  • Secure the area.
  • Document the incident and inspect equipment before returning to service.

8. Security or Public Safety Threat 
(Unauthorised person, aggressive behaviour, suspicious activity)

  • Range officer or manager takes control.
  • Ceasefire if threat is near active ranges.
  • Contact police if behaviour escalates.
  • Staff trained in de-escalation and safe removal of firearms from the area.

9. Communication Protocols

  • All staff must know:
    • Who is in charge during emergencies
    • How to contact emergency services
    • How to communicate a ceasefire
    • Radios or mobile communication available across the ground.
    • Emergency contact numbers displayed prominently.
    • what3words, the satellite-powered digital geocoding system for precision location.
    • The 6 figure Grid Reference for your ground or location.

10. Documentation & Training

  • Emergency procedures written into:
    • S.O.Ps
    • Range orders
    • Staff handbooks
  • Annual training and drills for:
    • Fire
    • Medical emergencies
    • Ceasefire and incident control
    • Incident log maintained and reviewed by management.
    • A club compliance checklist.
    • A training module for instructors and staff.
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