Proceedures

1. Immediate Actions: “STOP – SAFE – SECURE”

A. Call CEASE FIRE

Any person may call “CEASE FIRE” for any safety concern.
Upon cease fire:

• All firearms unloaded
• Magazines removed
• Actions open
• Firearms benched / grounded pointing downrange
• Shooters step back from the firing line
• No handling of firearms until cleared by the Range Officer (RO) / acting supervisor

B. Render First Aid / Emergency Response

If there is any injury, suspected injury, or medical concern:

• Assign someone to call 911 immediately
• Provide first aid only within your level of training
• Assign someone to meet emergency services at the entrance and guide them in
• Do not resume shooting until the RO declares the range safe

C. Secure the Scene

For serious incidents:

• Stop all shooting for the remainder of the session if required for safety or investigation
• Preserve the scene and evidence (targets, benches, berm area, signage, equipment)
• Do not move firearms involved unless needed for safety
• Separate witnesses (reduce “group story” contamination)

2. What Must Be Reported

An incident report is required for any of the following:

Safety / Firearms

• Negligent or unintentional discharge (ND), including discharge outside approved direction
• Any discharge causing injury, unsafe impact, or leaving the intended backstop area
• Any projectile strike on range structures (baffles, frames, posts, signs, etc.)
• Any firearm malfunction that creates a safety hazard
• Any loaded firearm handled behind the firing line or during cease fire>/li>
• Any unsafe handling observed (muzzle sweep, finger on trigger, etc.) that required intervention

People

• Any injury (including minor) requiring first aid, or any medical call (911)
• Any physical altercation, threats, intimidation, or harassment
• Any suspected impairment (alcohol/drugs)

Property / Security

• Damage to range property, buildings, gates, locks, berms, target systems
• Theft, break-in, vandalism, unauthorized access
• Any situation involving police attendance

Notifications: Who Gets Called and When

A. Immediate Notifications (same day, ASAP)

• Range Officer / acting supervisor on site (if not already present)
• Club Executive contact (designated Incident Lead)

B. Mandatory External Notifications (when applicable)

• Police (911) for injury, threats, criminal activity, unsafe discharge beyond the range, or suspected impaired firearm handling
• Saskatchewan Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) or other authorities as required by the range approval conditions and applicable law<>/li>
• Insurance provider (through the Executive) when injury/property damage occurs or a claim is possible

Rule: If unsure whether an event is reportable externally, treat it as reportable and escalate to the Executive immediately.

4. Documentation Standards

A. Start an Incident Report before anyone leaves

The RO / acting supervisor must ensure:

• Names and contact info of involved persons and witnesses collected
• Written statements obtained separately
• Photos taken of: firing point, target placement, backstop area, damage, relevant signage (no sensitive personal info in photos)
• Range conditions documented: time, weather, lighting, lane number, firearm type, ammunition type (if known)

B Do not speculate

Reports must state facts only:

• What was observed/heard
• Commands issued and compliance
• Actions taken and outcomes

5. Immediate Corrective Actions

The RO / acting supervisor may take any of the following actions immediately:

• Verbal warning and mandatory safety briefing
• Removal from the firing line for the day
• Removal from range property
• Temporary suspension of range privileges pending Executive review

For serious incidents (injury, ND, intimidation, impairment, or repeat violations):

• Immediate removal and automatic temporary suspension pending formal review

6. Executive Review Process

Within a reasonable time after the incident (best practice: within 24–72 hours), the Executive Incident Lead will:

• Review the report and witness statements
• Determine whether external reporting is required/was completed
• Decide disciplinary actions (warning, suspension, termination)
• Assign preventive measures (signage changes, training, physical improvements, SOP updates)
• Document outcomes in Executive records

7. Confidentiality and Records Retention

• Incident reports are confidential and shared only with those who must know (Executive, RO leadership, insurers, regulators, police)
• Store reports securely (locked file and/or restricted digital folder)
• Retain records per club policy and insurance expectations (common best practice: multiple years)