Weather Policies

WisCorps strives to keep its field crews focused and actively serving. They continue working in less-than-ideal conditions, as long as it remains safe and the project site allows fieldwork. This includes working in light to moderate rain, hot or cold weather, and windy conditions. However, WisCorps crews will halt activities if safety is at risk or if the project partner deems it unwise to continue fieldwork. When possible, project partners should have a weather contingency activity to keep the crew serving.

To offset missed fieldwork time, WisCorps typically assigns a six-person crew instead of the 5-person terms listed in our project partners’ service agreement. This allows the crew (when staffed at six people) to build a buffer of service hours to account for missed time. If a full fieldwork day is missed, WisCorps staff may be able to add additional fieldwork time to the standard daily hours. That is, an extra hour is added to the remaining days. WisCorps leadership staff (not the Crew Leader) can approve adjusted schedules. If significant crew time is missed and productivity is hindered, WisCorps will prorate the weekly cost-share on the closeout invoice issued after the project is completed.

Rain Events

Crews will perform fieldwork in light rain with tool restrictions. They can use heavy power tools like chainsaws and brush saws during brief rain. In prolonged light rain, only manual tools are permitted. During heavy rain or downpours, WisCorps will pause to and may cancel the field day.

Thunderstorms

The 30-30 Rule: If the time between seeing a lightning flash and hearing its thunder is 30 seconds or less, the lightning is within 6 miles and poses an immediate threat. Stop work immediately at the first sound of thunder or flash of lightning. Crews are required to wait at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before resuming any outdoor field operations. If another strike or sound occurs, the 30-minute clock resets entirely.

Hot Weather

• Above 90 Degrees?
  
  • Temperatures above 90 degrees, especially with high humidity, can challenge crews and lead to heat exhaustion. If you feel hot and uncomfortable, use caution and take steps to avoid heat stress.
    
  • WisCorps Crews typically take one 15-minute break in the morning and afternoon in addition to a 30-minute lunch break during the service day. On days above 90 degrees, WisCorps crews switch to more frequent breaks. 5-10 minutes every hour plus a 30-minute lunch.
    
    
• Heat Safety Tips
  
  • Slow down
  • Reduce highly strenuous activities
  • Stay hydrated
  • Wear sunscreen
  • Take breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned space
    

Cold Temperatures

• WisCorps is dedicated to protecting individuals from cold stress injuries, such as hypothermia and frostbite. The following temperature thresholds apply to all corps members, crew leaders, and staff involved in field operations. These thresholds refer to the ambient temperature and/or wind chill conditions during field activities. Sometimes, it may be best for the WisCorps crew to delay field services until temperatures rise.
  
  
• WisCorps mandates that all field crews have access to heated overnight lodging facilities from November 1 until the end of the field season.

WITHOUT PRECIPITATION

WITH PRECIPITATION

Temperature / Wind Chill	Risk Level	Required Actions & Modifications
40°F to 30°F	Low to Moderate	– Monitor peers for signs of cold stress. – Ensure dry backup layers are available.
30°F to 20°F	Moderate to High	– Mandatory check-in with WisCorps staff at the start of the service day. It may be most efficient to delay fieldwork until temperatures rise. – Crews will perform tasks in more accessible frontcountry areas while keeping their vehicles nearby. – 15-minute warm-up breaks every hour in a heated vehicle or shelter.
20°F & Below	Extreme	– Mandatory check-in with WisCorps staff at the start of the service day. It may be most efficient to delay fieldwork until temperatures rise. – Field operations are delayed or canceled. – Crews may shift to indoor training, tool maintenance, or admin tasks.

Cold Injury Recognition & Emergency Protocol

• Frostbite (Red/white/gray waxy skin, numbness): Move the person to warmth. Do not rub the affected area. Loosely wrap in clean bandages, contact WisCorps staff, and seek medical attention.
  
  
• Hypothermia (Slurred speech, shivering, fumbling hands, confusion): This is a medical emergency. Stop fieldwork immediately. Move the individual to a heated vehicle, remove wet clothing, wrap them in blankets, transport them to the nearest medical facility, and contact WisCorps staff.
  

Air Quality Policy

AQI Range	Risk Level	Required Actions & Modifications
0 – 149	Low	– Normal service, no adjustments needed – Monitor crewmates that have preexisting respiratory conditions.
150 -199	Moderate	– Adjusted fieldwork schedule, but outdoor service continues. – Crews take more frequent breaks (similar to our 90+ degree approach) and try to take breaks indoors or in the truck, when possible. – Leaders should promote less strenuous tasks when possible. – Crewmates with preexisting respiratory challenges should be assigned less strenuous tasks and may not participate in fieldwork. – While crewmates can opt to wear respiratory masks, WisCorps will provide them with masks either by shuttling them to the crew or by purchasing them with the crew’s credit card.
200+	High	– Mandatory check-in with WisCorps staff at the start of the service day. – Field operations limited to shutting down the activity or removing equipment/tools from the project site.