SOP — Emergency Preparedness and Action Plan¶
VooDoo Hut | VooDoo Garden | VooDoo Agogo — 511 Bradford Ave., Kemah, TX 77565. Source revision: 2024-10-10. Owner: GM. Review: annually + after any incident debrief.
Safety is the top priority. This plan covers everything from de-escalating guest conflicts to evacuating the building. Know the codes, know your role.
1. General Emergency Procedures (any emergency)¶
- Stay calm and lead by example — guests take their cues from staff. Steady voice, clear directions.
- Assess quickly and accurately — immediate threat (fire, medical) vs. escalating situation (altercation, intoxicated guest).
- Communicate immediately — radio management/security/staff with the right color code and point number, repeat the message twice.
- Follow the chain of command — management, Head Bartenders, Leads coordinate. Unsure? Ask your immediate supervisor.
- Safety over operations — stop normal operations if necessary. Never take risks to maintain operations.
- Assist guests and colleagues — calm, clear directions to exits; prioritize vulnerable individuals (mobility issues, families with children).
- Use emergency equipment as trained — fire extinguishers, first aid kits, defibrillators. Only if trained and safe; otherwise contact management or security.
- Evacuate when necessary — guests out before your own exit; keep exits clear.
- Avoid unnecessary risks — never physically intervene in violent altercations, handle hazmat, or enter danger without training/assistance.
- Document the incident — Refusal of Service Report or incident write-up once under control.
- Prepare for debriefing — your feedback improves this plan.
2. Radio Protocol¶
Allocation: all floor staff Leads, Head Bartenders, and Management carry radios. Each bar top and the kitchen keep at least one radio positioned behind it.
Usage: - Repeat every message twice (loud environment). - Include the Point number (Points 1–9 = designated locations inside the bar) or bar where the request originates. - Clarity, brevity, acknowledgment ("Copy"/"Heard"); in emergencies, critical traffic wins. - Confidentiality: no sensitive details or names over the radio — code colors, point numbers, general descriptions only. Prevents panic, protects privacy.
3. Emergency Code Colors¶
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red | Fire emergency |
| Blue | Medical emergency |
| Black | Active shooter / armed intruder |
| Orange | Flood or water leak |
| Yellow | Suspicious package / bomb threat |
| Purple | Guest altercation or disturbance |
| Silver | Evacuation required |
| Gold | Overwatch / local bar backup needed |
| White | Security needed |
| Brown | Biological cleanup needed |
| Pink | Guest showing signs of intoxication, drugs |
| Grey | Unauthorized guest (underage or restricted area) |
| Green | General cleanup needed |
| Teal | Power, sound, or IT issues |
Format: "Code Pink at Point 4, Code Pink at Point 4."
4. De-escalation of Guest Altercations (Code Purple)¶
Recognize: verbal aggression (raised voices, abusive language) · physical posturing (clenched fists, invading space, aggressive gestures) · intoxication signs (slurred speech, impaired coordination, disruptive behavior).
Steps: 1. Approach respectfully — safe distance; another staff member observing/nearby. 2. Active listening — let them talk, show empathy, acknowledge. 3. Calm communication — soft steady tone, neutral body language, nothing confrontational. 4. Offer solutions — amicable options; suggest a quieter area (outside) if appropriate. 5. Set clear boundaries — politely name the unacceptable behavior and consequences, non-threateningly. 6. Seek assistance — discreet radio request with code color + point, repeated twice. Never engage physically except to defend yourself, and only when safe. 7. Document — Refusal of Service (cutoff) report promptly after resolution.
5. Active Shooter (Code Black)¶
RUN — nearest safe exit; leave belongings; help guests/colleagues if safe. HIDE — if escape isn't possible: secure hiding place, silence devices, lock doors, barricade with heavy furniture. FIGHT — last resort, if confronted and in imminent danger: attempt to incapacitate; improvised weapons (chairs, bottles, fire extinguishers).
Communicate: "Code Black at Point X" ×2 over radio. Call 911 — location, number of shooters, description, weapons.
After: follow law enforcement instructions — hands visible, no sudden movements. Assembly point: Kemah School House, 6th Street and Bradford. Report missing persons to authorities.
6. Fire, Flood, and Other Emergencies¶
Announce the code + point, twice. Evacuate if necessary: calm instructions to nearest safe exit; check restrooms and secluded areas; assembly at the Kemah School House (6th & Bradford) where Management/HBs/Leads account for staff.
- Fire (Red): pull the nearest alarm station; no elevators; extinguisher only for small fires if trained and safe.
- Flood (Orange): avoid moving water; electrical hazards — don't touch equipment wet or standing in water; higher ground if severe.
- Teal (power/sound/IT): report issues affecting operations; don't attempt repairs unless authorized and trained.
- Grey (unauthorized guest): monitor discreetly; don't confront — inform management or security.
- White (security needed) / Gold (overwatch/backup): Gold also alerts other local bars for support.
Post-incident: first aid kits are in the container office and the kitchen; provide first aid only if trained and safe. Do not re-enter until authorities or management declare it safe. Document details for reporting.
7. Cutoff Reports and Guest Safety¶
The Refusal of Service Report is used whenever service must be stopped — intoxication signs, Angel Shot, or any safety concern. Filled out promptly by the staff involved. Paper copies: file folder on the side of the container office (submit same place); printable from any VDH PC desktop.
8. Emergency Contacts¶
| Who | Number |
|---|---|
| Emergency (Police/Fire/Ambulance) | 911 |
| GM — Jordan Paultz | 979-318-2733 |
| AGM — Jewel Burkhardt | 832-239-2436 |
| Kemah PD (non-emergency) | 281-334-5414 |
| Kemah FD (non-emergency) | 281-538-5727 |
| Poison Control | 1-800-222-1222 |
| Southshore ER (urgent care) | 281-713-4200 |
| Clear Lake Regional Medical Center | 281-332-2511 |
| UTMB League City Campus | 832-505-1000 |
| Rideshare | Uber / Lyft apps |
| NWS Houston/Galveston | weather.gov/hgx |
| Galveston County OEM | 409-935-8182 |
| TXDOT road conditions | 1-800-452-9292 / drivetexas.org |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | dial/text 988 |
| Crisis Text Line | text HOME to 741741 |
9. Discretion — Minimizing Guest Experience Interruption¶
Safety first, but handle incidents without alarm: stay composed; speak softly/privately (move the conversation, or step outside); codes + points over the radio, never names or explicit details; avoid confrontation in front of guests — move them away from bar/dance floor; open relaxed body language.
- Intoxicated/disruptive removal: fewest staff possible, no scene, side/back exit when possible. Reassure noticing guests it's under control; redirect attention to entertainment. Security approaches discreetly and calmly.
- Medical: respond fast without alarming others — essential staff only, clear path, Code Blue; move the guest somewhere less visible if possible; create a discreet barrier (staff, tables) around a guest down in a public area.
- Evacuations: calm, clear, normal tone; stagger guests across multiple exits; use Code Silver — avoid the words "emergency"/"danger" in front of guests unless absolutely necessary.
- Best practices: one staffer communicates with guests while another handles the incident; after handling, reinforce positive experience at nearby tables; once resolved, quietly inform staff and return to normal — no further discussion on the floor.
10. Low-Volume Staffing (no security/management on site)¶
Staffing is allocated as fiscally responsible — sometimes security or management won't be present.
- Head Bartender or Lead is in charge — all staff defer to them on guest issues, emergencies, and leadership calls.
- Situational awareness always; watch guest behavior for early trouble.
- Never engage physically — verbal de-escalation, safe distance.
- Radio for assistance: code + point, twice.
- Management is always notified of emergencies (phone/radio ASAP), even off-site; they provide remote guidance.
- Emergency procedures are identical with or without security present.
- Scenarios: altercations (Purple) → §4, escalate to HB/Lead; intoxicated guests (Pink) → cutoff procedure + safe transportation, HB/Lead takes charge; unauthorized guests (Grey) → monitor discreetly, notify HB/Lead.
11. Training and Chain of Command¶
- Management: overall coordination of staff and guest safety, even when off-site; always notified; provides remote guidance.
- Head Bartenders and Leads: take charge of all operations including emergency response when management is absent; primary decision-makers; notify management of significant issues.
- Staff: follow instructions of management/HBs/Leads; assist guests; respond to incidents; communicate everything to the HB/Lead.
- Training sessions are mandatory — safety procedures, communication protocols, emergency response (see training/).
- Equipment familiarity: know locations of extinguishers, first-aid kits, exits; radio proficiency (codes, points, repeat-twice) is required of all staff.
12. Arriving and Leaving Work¶
- Arriving: groups/buddy system when possible (especially late shifts); park well-lit and close, near cameras if available; check in with management or the designated Lead; stay alert, report suspicious activity.
- Leaving: leave in pairs/small groups at night; request a security escort to your vehicle if available; keys ready before exiting; don't linger in the lot; check out so management knows you left safely; report anything suspicious to management or authorities.
- Inclement weather: check NWS/DriveTexas before traveling; always check with management before traveling in bad weather — shifts may be adjusted for safety; allow extra time; buddy up; park clear of flooding/ice; if travel becomes unsafe, contact management and wait for instructions.
Stay alert, stay prepared. Your vigilance keeps VooDoo Hut safe for everyone. Questions → management, Head Bartender, or Lead on duty.