Last Revised: 11/18/2025

 

Completed by: RVC Management

 

1. Fire

   1. See “Fire Evacuation Plan” map

      1. Employee video:  How to use a fire extinguisher (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQV71INDaqY)

   2. Fire/Police emergency maps of kennel mailed out by Tiff

      1. Map of facility, contact information, first responder detail

      2. Security Gate emergency code access is 9111#

   3. Choose exits farthest from fire; do not delay, ACT NOW!

   4. Remove all people from immediate danger

   5. CALL 911

   6. If possible, Evacuate dogs to Play Yards first, if fire not contained and is immediately threatening, close property entrance gates and begin moving all dogs to Residence Yards (see Fire Evacuation Plan).

      1. To further relocate offsite from RVC – see Contact List of Volunteers to help transport dogs to Terroux Dog Training staging area where business operations, crates, beds, leashes, and water supply are readily available

         1. Transportation agreement included in Boarding Contract

   7. Do NOT set dogs loose or free in the facility.

   8. Do Not reenter the building or work area until you have been instructed to by the Incident Commander.

   9. Account for all people and dogs (take roll)

      1. Gingr can be accessed by cell phone app

   10. After the All Clear-

       1. Dogs with Med needs are first priority!

       2. Contact all dog owners; first tell them their dog is Safe!  And then where their dog currently is, and where to pick up and when.

       3. Advise all owners that all dogs should be examined by their veterinarian

2. Tornado

   1. Shut down electrical appliances

   2. Move away from windows and Shelter In Place

      1. Grab blankets from laundry room, use them to wrap yourself in and congregate in the utility room (no windows, interior room, and outside wall is cinder block).

   3. Close in ALL dogs in the kennel

   4. Do not open any windows

   5. Keep your cell phones with you for communication

3. Power Failure

   1. Use manager cell phones to make calls & access Gingr app

   2. RVC’s Generac Generator starts up on its own after 60 seconds and will power the entire kennel; though grooming power-equipment use should be kept at a minimum

   3. Parking and entrance area lights are solar

 

Water Flood

1. Pipe burst

   1. Set up bucket(s) catch water, (do what you can to stop water from flooding or spraying), if possible; or

   2. Shut off water source

      1. Main water valve located at residence entrance from 80th Ave

   3. Contact Ed Patterson at 720-338-8189, and contact Ted & Tiffany (owners) at 720-625-9299 and 303-726-4321

   4. If it is a large and fast-moving water break, contact City of Arvada Water dept. at 720-898-7760 (they can emergency shut-off)

   5. Move animals away from water flow (or potential water flow path); keep animals dry and safe

   6. Do what you can to stop water from entering

   7. Make sure there is a clear path to enter and exit the facility

   8. In the event cannot use facility, employ the Fire Evacuation plan.

2. Canal overflow and Heavy Rains

   1. Check to make sure pump is working (on west side of kennel)

   2. Do what you can to stop water from entering the facility

   3. In the event we cannot use the facility, employ the Fire Evacuation plan.

   4. Report to Church Ditch Water Authority, 303-423-6010

   5. Contact Ed Patterson at 720-338-8189, and contact Ted & Tiffany (owners) at 720-625-9299 and 303-726-4321

3. Septic System failure

   1. Wastewater backup in leaching fields and/or kennel pipes

   2. Contact the following:

      1. Kennel manager and Owner(s) [Owners and Ed have septic system maps]

      2. Mike McCauslin, 720-717-0184

      3. Bartley (Colorado Septic Pumping) 303-278-1884 --OR-- Stephen at Boonstra (970) 278-6151

      4. Terry (Lewis Water & Sanitation) 303-279-4640, or George (Pro Drains) 720-896-1222

   3. Do what you can to stop water from entering animal enclosures

   4. Move animals away from water flow (or potential water flow path); keep animals dry and safe

1. High Winds

   1. If the area receives a High Wind warning, secure the lock-latch on the dumpster, and take down umbrellas and shade covers.

   2. Dogs remain in interior/exterior runs (do not take them out into the play yards during very high winds where there are risks of debris and tree limbs)

   3. Clear areas near aging trees in the event of a tree fall

   4. Watch for fencing failures; barricade or close these areas to prevent dog escapes and/or airborne debris

   5. Avoid working near windows, if possible

   6. Employees use caution, wear eye protection if have to go outdoors during high windstorm.

2. Train Derailment

   1. Was Hazardous materials spilled?  Is there a Fire?

      1. Call 911!

      2. Call Arvada Emergency Management 720-898-6875

      3. Do Not enter the hazard area or interfere with first responders

         1. If you believe toxins may be in the air, you can either:

            1. Shelter in Place.  Bring all employees and animals inside, close all doors, windows, and runs; and shut down evaporative cooling system.  Contact 911 to let them know you are all enclosed in the kennel and need immediate assistance; and/or

            2.  activate the Fire Evacuation Plan (see page 1)

   2. Fire?

      1. Follow “FIRE” protocol (see page 1)

      2. If you see a brush fire starting, immediately Fire Evacuation Plan.

   3. Traffic re-routing

      1. Notify incoming and exiting customers and employees of  evacuation or re-routes due to clean-up and emergency efforts

3. Bomb Threat

   1. If you find a suspicious item, or receive a bomb threat

      1. may be made by phone, email, or in person

         1. Remain calm

         2. Do not go near a suspicious item – barricade off the area so that no person or animal goes near the suspected area

         3. Notify your supervisor, and call 911

         4. Follow the Dept Homeland Security “Bomb Threat Checklist” (see last page of this document)

         5. For threats made by phone:

            1. Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Be polite and show interest to keep them talking.

            2. DO NOT HANG UP, even if the caller does.

            3. If possible, signal or pass a note to other staff to listen and help notify authorities.

            4. Write down as much information as possible—caller ID number, exact wording of threat, type of voice or behavior, etc.—that will aid investigators.

            5. Record the call, if possible.

         6. Contact RVC owners, Ted & Tiffany 720-625-9299

         7. Be available for interviews with facility supervisors and/or law enforcement.  DO NOT TALK TO NEWS MEDIA ON BEHALF OF RVC (OWNERS ONLY).

         8. Follow authorities’ instructions. Facility supervisors and/or law enforcement will assess the situation and provide guidance regarding facility lock-down, search, and/or evacuation.

4. Active Shooter

   1. All employees should watch the following video:  RUN. HIDE. FIGHT. — Surviving an Active Shooter Event - YouTube  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsE_JdzpAbI)

   2. RUN and escape, if possible

      1. Get away from the shooter or shooters is the top priority.

      2. Leave your belongings behind and get away.

      3. Help others escape, if possible, but evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.

      4. Warn and prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be.

      5. Call 911 when you are safe, and describe shooter, location, and weapons.

   3. HIDE, if escape is not possible

      1. Get out of the shooter’s view and stay very quiet.

      2. Silence all electronic devices (cell phones) and make sure they won’t vibrate.

      3. Lock and block doors, close blinds, and turn off lights.

      4. Don’t hide in groups- spread out along walls or hide separately to make it more difficult for the shooter.

      5. Try to communicate with police silently through text message or social media- so they know geo-tagged location, or by putting a sign in a window.

      6. Stay in place until law enforcement gives you the all clear.

      7. Your hiding place should be out of the shooter's view and provide protection if shots are fired in your direction.

   4. FIGHT as an absolute last resort

      1. Commit to your actions and act as aggressively as possible against him/her.

      2. Recruit others to ambush the shooter with makeshift weapons like chairs, fire extinguishers, scissors, books, etc. to distract and disarm the shooter.

      3. Be prepared to cause severe or lethal injury to the shooter.

      4. Throw items and improvise weapons.

   5. After:

      1. Keep hands visible and empty

      2. Know that law enforcement’s first task is to end the incident, and they may have to pass injured along the way.

      3. Follow law enforcement instructions and evacuate in the direction they come from.

      4. Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, and/or handguns and may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation.

      5. Officers will shout commands and may push individuals to the ground for their safety.

      6. Consider seeking professional help for you and your family to cope with the long-term effects of the trauma.

   6. Helping the Wounded

      1. Take care of yourself first, and then you may be able to help the wounded before first responders arrive:

      2. If the injured are in immediate danger, help get them to safety.

      3. While you wait for first responder to arrive, provide first aid- apply direct pressure to wounded and use tourniquets if you have been trained to do so.

      4. Turn wounded people onto their sides if they are unconscious and keep them warm.

5. Power Outages

   1. RVC has a commercial-size Generator fueled by natural gas that comes on automatically within 60 seconds after a power failure is detected.  The generator is capable of running the entire facility for as long as needed, as long as natural gas available.

6. Faulting HVAC systems

   1. RVC has three separate furnace systems; it would be highly unlikely for more than one to fail at the same time.

7. Animal Escape

   1. Kennel staff are required to wear or pocket a whistle—the red whistle when blown is a signal for all available personnel to respond. 

      1. Blow Emergency whistle

      2. Communicate to others what’s happening

      3. Close all access points

         1. Prevention: routine inspections of under fencing, fencing integrity, rollers, and gate security.

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