EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN & FEMA FLOOD ZONE DISCLOSURE

1. Purpose and Scope​​​

• This Emergency Preparedness Plan establishes procedures to protect campers, staff,
  volunteers, and visitors during emergencies at Bandina Christian Youth Camp. The plan addresses
  mitigation, preparedness, response, accountability, communication, and reunification for
  a wide range of hazards relevant to youth camps in Texas.

• This plan applies to all camp operations, including overnight cabins, program areas,
  common facilities, and transportation activities, whenever campers are present on site.​

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2. Regulatory Compliance Statement

• This Emergency Preparedness Plan is adopted in accordance with Texas Health and
  Safety Code Chapters 141 and 762, House Bill 1 (Youth Camp Alert, Mitigation,
  Preparedness, and Emergency Response), and Senate Bill 1 (Heaven’s 27 Camp
  Safety Act).

• This plan shall be submitted to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
  annually for review and approval. If DSHS determines that the plan does not meet
  statutory or regulatory requirements, the camp shall correct all deficiencies within the
  45-day correction period provided by law.

• Upon DSHS approval, this plan shall be submitted to the Bandera County Emergency
  Management Coordinator within 10 days.

• The plan is provided to parents and guardians of current and prospective campers.

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3. Camp Profile

• Location: Bandera County, Texas

• Camp Type: Licensed youth camp with overnight cabins

• ​Maximum Capacity: 

  • Campers: 350​

  • Staff: 125

• Floodplain Status:

  • Camp structures are not located in a FEMA-designated floodplain. ​Documentation is maintained on file.

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4. Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (EPC)

• The camp designates an Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (EPC) responsible for
  the development, implementation, training, and maintenance of this Emergency
  Preparedness Plan.

• EPC Name: Elaine Stotts

• Title: Camp Manager

• Primary Phone: 830-798-6761

• Alternate EPC: Session Directors

  • Session 1: Cecil Hutson Jr (May 31-June 6, 2026)​

  • Session 2: Doug Selby (June 7-June 13, 2026)

  • Session 3: Stephen Johnston (June 14-June 20, 2026)

  • Session 4: Dale Wilson (June 21-June 27, 2026)

  • Session 5: Grant Jackson (June 28-July 4, 2026)

  • Session 6: Tom Kimmey (July 5-July 11, 2026)

  • Session 7: Gerald Elliott (July 12-July 18, 2026)

  • Session 8: Wes Wilson (July 19-July 25, 2026)

• The Session Director serves as the Incident Commander during emergencies unless otherwise
  delegated. The EPC acts as the primary liaison with Bandera County Emergency
  Management and emergency responders.

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5. Incident Command Structure

• During emergencies, the camp operates under a simplified Incident Command System
  (ICS):

  • Incident Commander: ​Session Director or designee

  • Operations: Area and program leaders

  • Accountability: Rosters, headcounts, missing camper tracking

  • Medical: Health services lead, camp nurse(s)

  • Logistics: Transportation, supplies, lighting

  • Communications: Staff communications and parent notifications

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6. Hazard Identification and Mitigation

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6.1 Identified Hazards

• Flash flooding (regional risk)

• Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes

• Wildfire and smoke

• Extreme heat

• Structure fires

• Aquatic emergencies

• Medical emergencies

• Missing or lost campers

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6.2 Hazard Mitigation Measures

• Flash Flood Mitigation:

  • Low-water crossings are not used during rain events or when water is
    present.​

  • Early evacuation triggers are established based on National Weather
    Service (NWS) alerts and local emergency notifications.

• Severe Weather and Tornado Mitigation:

  • Hardened shelter locations are identified and maintained.​

  • Outdoor activities are suspended upon issuance of severe weather
    watches or warnings.

• Wildfire Mitigation:​

  • Vegetation management and defensible space are maintained around
    structures.​

  • Evacuation routes are kept clear and accessible.

• Heat-Related Illness Mitigation:

  • Shaded muster zones, hydration stations, and scheduled water breaks are
    provided.​

  • Staff monitor campers for signs of heat-related illness.

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7. Emergency Monitoring and Action Triggers

• The camp continuously monitors National Weather Service alerts, Wireless Emergency
  Alerts, NOAA weather radios, and Bandera County emergency notifications.

• Immediate Action Triggers:

  • Flash Flood Warning: Evacuation to designated high-ground muster zones.​

  • Tornado Warning: Shelter-in-place in designated hardened structures.

  • Evacuation Order from Authorities: Immediate execution of evacuation
    procedures.

• The Incident Commander or EPC has authority to initiate emergency actions based on
  alerts or observed conditions.

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8. Emergency Warning and Public Address System

• The camp maintains an audible emergency warning system capable of alerting all
  campers, staff, and visitors throughout the property.

• The system includes public address capability utilizing radios and other handheld
  audio devices and is operable without reliance on internet connectivity. The
  system is supported by electrical power and/or battery backup to ensure operation during outages.

• Emergency warning signals and voice announcements are used to direct evacuation, shelter-in-place, or other protective actions.

• The system is tested monthly and prior to each camp session. Testing and
  maintenance are documented.

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9. Weather Alert Radios

• The camp maintains multiple operable NOAA weather alert radios capable of receiving
  real-time National Weather Service alerts.

• Weather alert radios are battery-backed and tested weekly while campers are onsite.
  Maintenance records are retained by the EPC.

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10. Muster Zones and Evacuation

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10.1 Muster Zones

• ​The camp maintains designated muster zones for emergency evacuation and
  accountability.

• Each muster zone includes:

  • Assigned cabins and program areas​

  • Designated accountability leader and alternate

  • Adequate capacity for assigned occupants

  • Nighttime illumination

  • Access to drinking water and shade

• Muster zone assignments and routes are posted in each overnight cabin and reviewed
  during camper orientation.

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10.2 Evacuation Routes and Lighting

• Cabin-specific evacuation routes are posted in all overnight cabins and occupied
  buildings.

• Evacuation routes and muster zones are illuminated for nighttime visibility using
  permanent, solar, or battery-powered lighting. Routes and lighting are inspected
  monthly and prior to each camp session.

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11. Accountability and Reunification

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11.1 Camper Accountability

• Paper and offline digital rosters are maintained for cabins and programs.

• Headcounts are conducted upon alarm activation, upon arrival at muster zones,
  and every 15 minutes during active incidents.

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11.2 Missing Camper Procedures

• Immediate notification to the Incident Commander

• Documentation of last-known location

• Deployment of trained search teams

• Notification of emergency services when required

• Parent or guardian notification

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11.3 Camper Reunification

• Reunification occurs only at a designated reunification location determined by the
  Incident Commander.

• Campers are released only to authorized parents or guardians listed in camp records.
  Reunification communications and documentation are coordinated by the
  Communications Lead.

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12. Emergency Scenarios Addressed

• The camp maintains written procedures for:

  • Flash flooding and flooding​

  • Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes

  • Wildfire and smoke

  • Structure fires

  • Aquatic emergencies

  • Sever injury, illness, or fatality

  • Missing or lost campers

  • Heat-related emergencies

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13. Training Requirements

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13.1 Camper Safety Orientation

• Camper safety orientation is conducted within 48 hours of arrival and includes:

  • Emergency warning signals​

  • Muster zones and evacuation routes

  • Accountability procedures

  • Staying with assigned groups

 

13.2 Staff and Volunteer Training

• ​​ All staff and volunteers receive annual emergency preparedness training, including
  roles, communications, and emergency procedures.

• Training is documented with sign-in sheets and retained for inspection.

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14. Internet Service Redundancy

• The camp maintains primary broadband internet service delivered via fiber optic facilities. 

• A secondary, distinct internet connection is maintained to ensure continuity of
  communications. The secondary connection is cellular based and tested monthly, and
  failover capability is documented.

• Emergency warning and public address systems do not rely on internet connectivity.

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15. Plan Review and Maintenance

• This Emergency Preparedness Plan is reviewed annually, updated as needed, and
  redistributed to staff and parents when material changes occur.​