Boy Scouts of America Indianhead Council STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES for Sioux Rifle Range Tomahawk Scout Reservation June 23, 2002 Prepared by Linneas W Laage Chief Range Safety Officer Date June 23, 2002 Approved by Date Approved by Date 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 PREAMBLE CHAPTER 2 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART CHAPTER 3 SAFETY PLAN CHAPTER 4 INSTRUCTOR TRAINING CHAPTER 5 RANGE OPERATIONS APPENDIX 1 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES APPENDIX 2 Sioux Rifle Range Inspection Check List APPENDIX 3 Range Safety Briefing APPENDIX 4 RANGE BOX for Rifle Operations APPENDIX 5 Map of Sioux, Chippewa and Navajo Camp 2
CHAPTER 1 PREAMBLE The Sioux Rifle Range at Tomahawk Scout Reservation is owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America Indianhead Council headquartered at 393 Marshall St. Paul Minnesota. During resident summer camps it also serves the Chippewa Camp. This range is operated and maintained to provide training in gun safety and marksmanship for members of the Boy Scouts of America. This range is operated in accordance with the guidelines and requirements of BSA Policies. The Sioux Rifle Range is an outdoor range with covered shooting stations and target holders at 50 feet. It is bermed on three sides. It is suitable for Scout BB Gun,.22-caliber rifle and Black Powder Rifle shooting. It is also suitable for Venture handgun use. Local law enforcement agencies may also use the range and it is suitable for their handguns, rifles, shotguns and light machineguns for ranges up to 50 feet. 3
CHAPTER 2 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART Indianhead Council Executive Indianhead Council Program Director Tomahawk Scout Reservation Ranger Camp Program Director Area Director Program Staff 4
CHAPTER 3 SAFETY PLAN The safety plan for this range is found in the Emergency Procedures booklet developed by Indianhead Council. A copy of the Emergency Procedures booklet will be available at the range and a hardcopy is incorporated into this SOP as Appendix 1. It is also available at the Indianhead Council resource room and website. The Emergency Procedures booklet covers all activities at camps and reservations owned and/or operated by the Indianhead Council. 5
4.0 Definitions CHAPTER 4 Instructor Training and Certification There are several sources for instructor definition, training requirements and certifications. These include: Camp Program and Property Management 2001 Guide to Safe Scouting 2002 Special One Time Insert Shooting Sports Personnel and Range Safety Supervision Annual Camp Inspection Check Lists Various Venture literature Shooting Sports for Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, and Parents in Camp The Special One Time Insert Shooting Sports Personnel and Range Safety Supervision is included here to define the minimum training and certification required to operate Indianhead Council ranges. Note that section To Be Instructor or Assistant Instructor QUALIFIED means 1.b uses the NRA certification but did not include rifle. This is in conflict with the other BSA literature including the Guide to Safe Scouting and NRA Rifle certification will be used. Note the term Range Officer is different from the NRA Range Safety Officer. The NRA Range Safety Officer is a NRA certification and is recommended for Indianhead Council Range Officers but is not required. The NRA Rating Code for Coaches, Instructors and Training Counselors is shown below for reference. 6
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CHAPTER 5 RANGE OPERATIONS 5.1 General Live firing conducted at Tomahawk Scout Reservation ranges is designed to provide Scouts and authorized personnel a facility where they can become proficient with Council supplied equipment. 5.2 Facilities for Use Range availability is at the discretion of the Council. The Camp / Event Director will check out the range equipment and transfer it to the proper range storage facility where it will be checked by the Chief Instructor. The Chief Instructor will be determine the suitability of the equipment for the intended usage / event. Unsuitable equipment will be tagged and returned to the Camp Administration for repair. Supplies and equipment needed for maintenance will be requisitioned by the Chief Instructor. Equipment deemed unsuitable by the Chief Instructor may not be used. The Chief Instructor will periodically (at least weekly) inspect the facility including the range, fencing and signage. Any repair or range modifications required by the Chief Instructor must be made before the range becomes operational. At the end of the camp / event the Chief Instructor will return firearms and ammunition to the Program Director for proper long term storage. The Chief Instructor will inspect the range and any aspect of the range requiring attention will be noted and forwarded to the Program Director for action. 5.3 Range Limitations and Safety Requirements Live-fire shooters and Range Officers will: 5.3.1 Fire only on scheduled ranges and have a Chief Instructor present. 5.3.2 Fire only authorized firearms and ammunition. 5.3.3 Fire only at authorized targets. 5.3.4 Fire only after presenting required documentation. (Parental permission slip or other) 5.3.5 Ensure all projectiles impact within the established range safety limits. 5.3.6 Ensure red range flags are raised and displayed at the range. 5.3.7 Call Cease firing and make safe all firearms when anyone moves forward of the firing line or during any unsafe condition. 5.3.8 Call Cease fire if a firing line becomes staggered. (one shooter forward of another) 5.3.9 Use appropriate ear protection. 5.3.10 Wear appropriate eye protection. 5.3.11 Notify the Chief Instructor of any safety infractions. 5.3.12 Police all brass, paper, and other debris. Dispose of them in the containers provided. 5.3.13 Scouts will not have firearms on the ready line 5.4 Authorized & Prohibited Equipment Only Council supplied equipment may be used. Exceptions may be made by the Chief Instructor on a case-bycase basis. 5.5 Authorized Personnel The following persons are allowed to fire with proper documentation: 5.5.1.Registerd campers. 5.5.2 Personnel approved by the Chief Instructor. 9
5.6 Chief Instructor 5.6.1 Report for duty in sufficient time to prepare for the safe and proper operation of the range. 5.6.2 Check out appropriate keys, required range flags, proper documentation for each range user, SOP binder, and first-aid kit and any special instructions. 5.6.3 Conduct range inspection using the checklist in Appendix 2 5.6.4 22 caliber rifles: 1) Perform trigger pull checks as necessary. 2) 2) Visually inspect the bore. 5.6.5 Check Log Book and make necessary entries. 5.6.6 Ensure that the Range Flag is up before live fire begins. 5.6.7 Ensure each Assistant Instructor understands and can execute live-fire procedures. 5.6.8 Check for current documentation of Assistant Instructors. 5.6.9 Check that all shooters have required documentation. 5.6.10 Ensure that the proper number of Range Officers is present. BB Gun 1 qualified Range Officer per 8 participants..22 caliber Rifle - 1 qualified Range Officer per 8 participants. Pistol - 1 qualified Range Officer per each participant. (One Range Officer may work with one participant at a time) black powder - 1 qualified Range Officer per each participant. (One Range Officer may work with one participant at a time) 5.6.11 Conduct range safety briefing using Appendix 3. 5.6.12 Conduct live fire in accordance with section 5.7 Campers, Approved Users and Spectators of this chapter. Failure of shooters to abide by these procedures will result in immediate eviction from the range and possible suspension of future shooting privileges. 5.6.13 Tag firearms, which need attention and report these to the Camp Administration. 5.6.14 Ensure that all equipment receives proper maintenance. (CLEANING!!!) 5.6.15 Secure shooting mats and sand bags in vermin proper containers. 5.6.16 Secure all gear and turn in reports. (range fees or range notes) 5.7 Campers, Approved Users and Spectators 5.7.1 All shooters must check in with the designated Chief Instructor on the scheduled range. 5.7.2 All shooters must present required documentation for use of range when requested by the Chief Instructor. 5.7.3 Shooters and spectators will conduct themselves in an orderly manner at all times. 5.7.4 Firearms that are out of the case and not being fired must be racked, benched or on shooting mats. (Actions open and facing up, chambers empty, muzzles pointing downrange) 5.7.5 Only load firearms on the firing line after the Chief Instructor has given the command to load. 5.7.6 Do not point firearms at anything other than authorized targets. 5.7.7 Fire only at your own target. 5.7.8 Give the command Cease firing if an unsafe condition exists. 5.7.9 Follow all instructions from the Chief Instructor. 5.7.10 Assist in policing the area of brass and any other debris. 5.7.11 No pets are allowed on the range complex. 5.8 Hours of Operation and Scheduling The TSR Sioux Rifle Range is available from 7:00 am to 8:45 pm. 5.9 Alcoholic Beverages and Drugs Alcohol is not allowed at any time. B.S.A. policies will apply. 10
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APPENDIX 1 EMERGENCY PROCEEDURES Insert hard copy of the Indianhead Council Emergency Procedures booklet. The current version is dated May 2000 and contains a total of 5 pages. 12
Log book entry made by Chief Instructor Controlled Access/Fencing/Gates Closed Flags or Signs Displayed Backstop/Impact Area Inspected Target Frames/Mounts in Good Repair Firing Line Marked Firing Points Numbered/Clean Shooting Benches/Tables Inspected Sandbags/Gun Rests on Hand Spectator Area Designated Cleaning supplies Available Emergency Communications Working First-Aid Kit Filled/Accessible NRA Gun Safety Rules Posted Empty Trash Receptacles Available Brass Buckets available Wash Area Identified Lockable Storage APPENDIX 2: Tomahawk Scout Reservation Sioux Rifle Range Inspection Check List Yes Comments: No Inspected by date 13
APPENDIX 3 Range Safety Briefing The Tomahawk Scout Reservation Small Arms Range will use the following checklist to conduct the Range Safety Briefing for Scouts. A similar Range Safety Briefing must be provided for non-scout range usage. This Range Safety Briefing will include but is not limited to: 1.0 Purpose of the event 2.0 Introduction of Chief Instructor and Instructors 3.0 Range Layout 3.1 firing Line 3.2 Spectator area / waiting area 3.3 Shooter station location 3.4 Target area 3.5 Range Limits 3.6 Range of firearm movement 4.0 Review the NRA 3 fundamental Rules of Gun Safety 5.0 Review Range Commands that may be given 6.0 Review the entrance and exit process 6.1 Only the Chief Instructor controls access. 6.2 Do not anticipate a command. Act only when you receive a command from the Chief Instructor. 7.0 Describe the operation of the firearm being used 8.0 Optional Determine eye dominance. 14
APPENDIX 4 RANGE BOX for.22 Rifle operations Tool box Cleaning rod.22 cal and tips Small needle nose pliers pliers or small channel lock style pliers patches wipe cloths gun oil Gun Scrubber or de-greaser Hoppe s #9 or similar solvent Bore light (not battery operated) Tags for guns Number 1 and 2 phillips and common screwdrivers Range rod Steel wool Lantern and battery Small pick 15
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