firearms range safety plan

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Firearms Range Safety Firearms Range Safety PlanPlan

Westmoreland County Community CollegeWestmoreland County Community College

Public Safety Training CenterPublic Safety Training Center

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

The The WCCC Public WCCC Public Safety Training Safety Training CenterCenter firearms firearms range is designed range is designed to be used by law to be used by law enforcement enforcement personnel, personnel, security, EMS, fire security, EMS, fire and designated and designated civil personnel.civil personnel.

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Administrative ProceduresAdministrative Procedures

Classes are to be Classes are to be held between the held between the hours of hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 am and 10:00 pm10:00 pm on any day on any day of the week unless of the week unless otherwise approved otherwise approved by the Principal by the Principal Firearms Instructor or Firearms Instructor or WCCC’s Coordinator WCCC’s Coordinator of Municipal Police of Municipal Police Training Programs.Training Programs.

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Administrative ProceduresAdministrative Procedures Firearms Instructors Firearms Instructors

from each Agency from each Agency must sign off as must sign off as having reviewed having reviewed WCCC’s Range WCCC’s Range familiarization familiarization program CD prior to program CD prior to using the WCCC using the WCCC Firing Range. Firing Range.

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The WCCC Municipal The WCCC Municipal Police Coordinator Police Coordinator will call the PA State will call the PA State Police to advise them Police to advise them of any night-time of any night-time shooting that is shooting that is scheduled.scheduled.

(PSP telephone no. (PSP telephone no. 724-929-6262)724-929-6262)

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Approval for the use of the training Approval for the use of the training facility must first be requested in writing facility must first be requested in writing on the sponsoring agency or on the sponsoring agency or organization’s letterhead or official organization’s letterhead or official stationary and submitted to Bob Martin, stationary and submitted to Bob Martin, Coordinator of Municipal Police Training Coordinator of Municipal Police Training Programs. Programs.

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In some cases a verbal request will be In some cases a verbal request will be accepted followed by a written request accepted followed by a written request within seventy-two hours. The request for within seventy-two hours. The request for the range use will be either approved or the range use will be either approved or denied within a timely fashion (within thirty denied within a timely fashion (within thirty days of original notice but may extended). days of original notice but may extended).

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A signed “Release and Hold Harmless A signed “Release and Hold Harmless Agreement” by the requesting agency Agreement” by the requesting agency must be completed prior to use of the must be completed prior to use of the range.range.

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The written request shall include, date (s) The written request shall include, date (s) and times of the request, names of and times of the request, names of firearms and range instructors and other firearms and range instructors and other personnel who will be in a supervisory personnel who will be in a supervisory capacity and responsible for the range capacity and responsible for the range and keys. Supervisor contact and keys. Supervisor contact information including name, agency, information including name, agency, work telephone number, and cell phone work telephone number, and cell phone number must also be provided.number must also be provided.

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Copies of firearms instructors’ Copies of firearms instructors’ certifications must be submitted within two certifications must be submitted within two days of range use approval.days of range use approval.

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A Certificate of Liability Insurance must be A Certificate of Liability Insurance must be provided to WCCC by the user agency in provided to WCCC by the user agency in the amount of $1,000,000 for single claim, the amount of $1,000,000 for single claim, and $3,000,000 for aggregate claims and $3,000,000 for aggregate claims within two days of the first range use.within two days of the first range use.

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Fees will be determined yearly by WCCC Fees will be determined yearly by WCCC based on the frequency of use. All fees based on the frequency of use. All fees must be paid in full prior to usage of the must be paid in full prior to usage of the range unless prior arrangements have range unless prior arrangements have been made.been made.

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Prompt notification Prompt notification of cancellation must of cancellation must be given as soon as be given as soon as practical.practical.

Cance

lled

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This safety plan will be reviewed yearly or This safety plan will be reviewed yearly or as needed to maintain the cohesiveness of as needed to maintain the cohesiveness of the agencies using the facility and the the agencies using the facility and the Training Facility. Training Facility.

All personal must follow and obey all All personal must follow and obey all posted and non-posted range rules.posted and non-posted range rules.

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Rostraver EMS is Rostraver EMS is the assigned the assigned medical medical transportation to the transportation to the PSTC. It is PSTC. It is mandatorymandatory for the for the users to notify EMS users to notify EMS at at 724-872-9200724-872-9200 that you will be that you will be training. training.

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When notifying EMS advise them that the When notifying EMS advise them that the call is non-emergency and you are making call is non-emergency and you are making them aware your agency will be on the them aware your agency will be on the shooting range at WCCC’s shooting range at WCCC’s Public Safety Public Safety Training CenterTraining Center in Reduction between the in Reduction between the hours of your training.hours of your training.

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Guests who are participating on the range Guests who are participating on the range are allowed after signing a “Release and are allowed after signing a “Release and Hold Harmless Agreement.”Hold Harmless Agreement.”

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There are vending There are vending machines inside the machines inside the training facility that training facility that are open to the are open to the public.public.

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GUN HANDLING RULESGUN HANDLING RULES

Assume that all firearms are Assume that all firearms are ALWAYSALWAYS loadedloaded

Point the muzzle in a Point the muzzle in a SAFESAFE direction direction

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Keep your finger Keep your finger OFFOFF the trigger, firmly the trigger, firmly registered along the frame of the weapon, registered along the frame of the weapon, until you are on target and have decided to until you are on target and have decided to fire.fire.

Be Be AWAREAWARE of your target and its of your target and its surroundings.surroundings.

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All firearms will be unloaded at the All firearms will be unloaded at the designated gun handling area as you designated gun handling area as you enter the range unless instructed enter the range unless instructed differently by the firearms instructor.differently by the firearms instructor.

All magazines will be removed from the All magazines will be removed from the magazine well and clear of the pistol, magazine well and clear of the pistol, unless on the firing line or instructed to unless on the firing line or instructed to do so by a range instructor.do so by a range instructor.

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The range master or designee will know The range master or designee will know what the status of everyone’s weapon is what the status of everyone’s weapon is supposed to be at any given time.supposed to be at any given time.

All muzzles to be pointed down range or to All muzzles to be pointed down range or to the ground when appropriate unless the ground when appropriate unless instructed differently by the firearms instructed differently by the firearms instructor.instructor.

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All loading and unloading shall be All loading and unloading shall be conducted facing the muzzle down range conducted facing the muzzle down range or to the ground when appropriate.or to the ground when appropriate.

Fire only into the designated backstop Fire only into the designated backstop area.area.

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No one is to move No one is to move forward of the forward of the shooting line, bend shooting line, bend over to pick up over to pick up ANYTHINGANYTHING or or move from the move from the firing line unless firing line unless instructed to do so.instructed to do so.

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All weapons not being All weapons not being used are to be kept in used are to be kept in an approved holster, an approved holster, carry case or a carry case or a designated area designated area identified by the identified by the instructor. The breech instructor. The breech will be locked open and will be locked open and clearly unloaded.clearly unloaded.

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Pistols should never be removed from Pistols should never be removed from the holster unless instructed to do so by the holster unless instructed to do so by a firearms instructor. a firearms instructor.

NEVERNEVER remove a weapon from the remove a weapon from the holster while someone is forward of the holster while someone is forward of the firing line unless instructed to do so by firing line unless instructed to do so by the firearms instructor.the firearms instructor.

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If a pistol is removed from the holster, If a pistol is removed from the holster, the slide will be locked to the rear with the slide will be locked to the rear with the magazine removed and the chamber the magazine removed and the chamber empty empty EXCEPTEXCEPT for firing or dry firing. for firing or dry firing.

NEVERNEVER go forward of the firing line until go forward of the firing line until the range master has made the line safe the range master has made the line safe and has given the command to go and has given the command to go forward unless otherwise instructed.forward unless otherwise instructed.

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No loaded weapon No loaded weapon is to be left is to be left unattended.unattended.

Shoot only at Shoot only at authorized targets.authorized targets.

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If a shooter experiences a stoppage while If a shooter experiences a stoppage while on the firing line, of a type the shooter has on the firing line, of a type the shooter has not been trained to clear or in unable to not been trained to clear or in unable to clear on his/her own, the shooter will clear on his/her own, the shooter will immediately raise his/her non-shooting immediately raise his/her non-shooting hand and wait for an instructor to address hand and wait for an instructor to address the malfunction.the malfunction.

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This call for assistance will be done with This call for assistance will be done with the muzzle of the pistol pointed down the muzzle of the pistol pointed down range and the finger outside the trigger range and the finger outside the trigger guard.guard.

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Only conventional style holsters should Only conventional style holsters should be used for training. be used for training.

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Specialty holsters (i.e. shoulder, ankle, Specialty holsters (i.e. shoulder, ankle, etc.) should only be used after approval of etc.) should only be used after approval of a firearms instructor.a firearms instructor.

Certified firearms instructors Certified firearms instructors MUSTMUST be be present during ALL shoots.present during ALL shoots.

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Obey all range rules and commands at all Obey all range rules and commands at all times. The purpose of range commands is times. The purpose of range commands is to provide concise, clear and standard to provide concise, clear and standard methods of range operation. This provides methods of range operation. This provides the shooters or participants with easy to the shooters or participants with easy to understand guidelines and enhances understand guidelines and enhances safety.safety.

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RANGE RULESRANGE RULES

At least one of the At least one of the instructors who instructors who signed off on the signed off on the range safety plan range safety plan must be present on must be present on the range while the the range while the Agency is using Agency is using the range.the range.

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Range flag posted Range flag posted or an approved form or an approved form of identification of identification showing the range showing the range is in use and a form is in use and a form of emergency of emergency communication communication readily available at readily available at all times.all times.

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No alcohol permitted No alcohol permitted on the range or on the range or consumed within 8 consumed within 8 hours prior to start of hours prior to start of the class.the class.

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Only firearms and ammunition which was Only firearms and ammunition which was prior approved by the WCCC Range prior approved by the WCCC Range Master or designee to be used on the Master or designee to be used on the range.range.

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Use of any unauthorized material (i.e.: Use of any unauthorized material (i.e.: cans, bottles,) weapons, ammunition is cans, bottles,) weapons, ammunition is prohibited.prohibited.

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Only firing into the Only firing into the designated backstop designated backstop area is permitted.area is permitted.

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Each user shall clean Each user shall clean up the range when up the range when finished for the day, finished for the day, including all trash and including all trash and brass.brass.

If brass is not picked If brass is not picked up, your agency will up, your agency will be charged a $100.00 be charged a $100.00 clean-up fee.clean-up fee.

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If If ANYANY part of the range is damaged, part of the range is damaged, range master or designee shall report the range master or designee shall report the damage to the WCCC Police coordinator damage to the WCCC Police coordinator within twenty-four hours and the agency within twenty-four hours and the agency may be liable for the damage.may be liable for the damage.

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Any unintentional or accidental Any unintentional or accidental discharges beyond the range shall be discharges beyond the range shall be reported to the WCCC range designee reported to the WCCC range designee and the WCCC Police Coordinator and the WCCC Police Coordinator immediately.immediately.

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Eye and ear Eye and ear protection shall be protection shall be used at all times used at all times during fire. A during fire. A brimmed hat and long brimmed hat and long sleeve shirt are also sleeve shirt are also recommended.recommended.

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With the exception of the designated With the exception of the designated areas, there is to be no smoking, eating, or areas, there is to be no smoking, eating, or drinking allowed on the range.drinking allowed on the range.

All backers and range equipment All backers and range equipment including range gear are to be provided including range gear are to be provided by each individual agency.by each individual agency.

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WCCC is WCCC is not not responsible for responsible for and does not and does not provideprovide the the following:following:

Weapons or ammoWeapons or ammo Backers Backers Any type of targets Any type of targets

moving or fixedmoving or fixed Eye and ear Eye and ear

protectionprotection HatsHats Communication Communication

systemssystems

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LaddersLadders Drinks, food, Drinks, food,

drink or food drink or food containers containers

Electronic Electronic chargerschargers

Emergency lightsEmergency lights Storage for Storage for

equipmentequipment ChairsChairs


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TapeTape Pasters Pasters Staples or staple Staples or staple

guns guns Hammers, nails, Hammers, nails,

wood, metal or wood, metal or any other device any other device used for trainingused for training

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RANGE RULESRANGE RULES WCCC will provide WCCC will provide

a minimum of ten a minimum of ten (10) target stands (10) target stands and ten (10) barrels and ten (10) barrels or a form of support or a form of support used for barricades.used for barricades.

Do not shoot at the Do not shoot at the

barrels or other barrels or other forms of barricades.forms of barricades.

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If any simunitions are used inside the tower, If any simunitions are used inside the tower, prior approval prior approval MUSTMUST be obtained. be obtained.

Clean up of brass, trash and clean walls or Clean up of brass, trash and clean walls or areas of exposure.areas of exposure.

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DO NOTDO NOT leave fires leave fires unattended if burning unattended if burning targets, backers, and targets, backers, and other flammable other flammable objects.objects.

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When finished with the range for the When finished with the range for the day, pick up and remove from the day, pick up and remove from the range all debris including brass, place range all debris including brass, place barricades back to their original barricades back to their original locations, lock and secure all locations, lock and secure all buildings and gates.buildings and gates.

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Parking is provided adjacent to the Parking is provided adjacent to the range. Classroom and building facilities range. Classroom and building facilities are available upon request. Classroom are available upon request. Classroom space is at a premium in the evenings space is at a premium in the evenings and on weekends so advance notice is and on weekends so advance notice is required. required.

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No loaded firearms No loaded firearms used in training used in training may be carried into may be carried into any of the any of the classrooms inside classrooms inside the training facility.the training facility.

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All weapons which All weapons which will be used in training will be used in training will be unloaded prior will be unloaded prior to entering the to entering the building.building.

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PSTC Closing ProceduresPSTC Closing Procedures

All lights should be All lights should be turned out, gates and turned out, gates and doors closed and the doors closed and the facility and range facility and range must be locked prior must be locked prior to leaving the to leaving the property.property.

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Keys must be Keys must be returned immediately returned immediately after range use after range use unless prior unless prior arrangements have arrangements have been made.been made.

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If there are any questions regarding this If there are any questions regarding this safety plan please notify Bob Martin, safety plan please notify Bob Martin, Coordinator, Municipal Police Training Coordinator, Municipal Police Training Programs, Programs, Westmoreland County Westmoreland County Community CollegeCommunity College, 1-800-262-2103, , 1-800-262-2103, extension 4298; email extension 4298; email [email protected]@wccc.edu..

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CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Have a good and safe experience on the Have a good and safe experience on the PSTC Firearms Range.PSTC Firearms Range.

““Stay safe out there!”Stay safe out there!”

The staff and management of WCCCThe staff and management of WCCC

firearms range safety plan

Education

range instructors

isfirearms range

days of range use approval

wccc firing range

approved orthe range

frequency of use

written request

verbal request