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By: Brian Silipena, CMAA, Athletic Director - Pequannock Township High School (NJ) From the point of view of an athletic administrator, their number one priority at an education-based sporting event is for spectators to arrive and exit the contest in a safe manner. Whether you have a security team or you are the head of security, there is a great deal of preparation that goes into ensuring the safety and security of each spectator. In this article, let’s review measures that I take during an evening sporting event. Prepare I am fortunate to have a security team at the high school where I am employed. Even though I consistently have many hands on deck, I prepare as though I am going to be by myself for each event. Having a plan and assuming each risk will allow for you to make sure that every scenario is thoroughly covered. While assessing risks, I have worked with my head of security to develop an emergency action plan. Within this plan, every possible alarming scenario is covered in detail with resolution and unification as its end goal. Once the emergency action plan is developed it is time to start preparing for each scenario. In our district we have created areas at multiple locations to store our safety equipment for our events. Some of the items at these locations include:
Evening Outdoor Events One of the most stressful situations you can think of during a night sporting event is a power outage. In my district we have made sure, through the use of online maps, to design points of entry to allow individuals safe and efficient exit strategies in the event of an outdoor evacuation. During a power outage, the use of an air horn, bull horn, flashlights and glow sticks are very helpful. While responding quickly during a power outage, it is important to get the attention of the crowd. This is where the air horn is considered useful. Once the air horn has peaked the attention of the spectator, the bull horn will allow you to project your instruction to the crowd since the announcer will most likely not be able to use the microphone. The first announcement through the bull horn should be for the spectators to remain seated and await further instructions. This will allow the spectator to realize there is a plan in place they will need to follow. Flashlights will allow for the illumination of the walkway to the nearest exit. As for the glow sticks, these make great landmarks. Taping a glow stick to the top of a fence or pole will provide a visual landmark for the spectators to walk toward. Your directions may indicate spectators walking toward these landmarks. Outdoor Event Weather Emergencies If you have worked as an athletic administrator, you will recognize that weather is the most common type of emergency you can prepare for. In our emergency action plan we also have instructions on how to move toward safe areas during an outdoor event. It is important to be proactive. Having all of your safe haven areas ready and available for use is key to making sure individuals can move safely and calmly. I typically console with my custodians before each game to go over worse case scenario situations so there are no surprises if I call them on the walkie talkie. Being overly prepared in these situations will increase the likelihood of spectator safety. This past year my school district purchased a weather station which includes a lightning detector. It is amazing how often you would not know that there is potentially bad weather in the area without this tool. One of the benefits to having this system is to sound an alarm to notify spectators of lightning in the area which will allow for a quick response to taking shelter. Evening Indoor Events Having the power remain out during an inside event will require a lot of the same attention to detail. In this case, my head of security and I will do a walkthrough and label all of the points of entry. During this walkthrough we will also make sure all of the entry points are clear so spectators can maneuver through the doorways safely. Equipment from physical education class, tables, chairs, and mats can be left behind at any time so it is important to check these areas often so they remain clear. Another check that is done frequently pertains to emergency lighting. Periodically, we will test the emergency lights to make sure that they are in working condition in case of a power outage. Parking lot safety Another area to consider is the parking lot. Whether it is an indoor or outdoor contest, the parking lot should be well lit for the spectators to make their way to and from a contest. Regardless of an emergency situation, the parking lot should always be checked for low lit areas. Training of event workers Having a plan is the first part of the process in making spectators are kept safe. The next part is your team understanding how to perform during these situations. In a normal season, I will have a meeting with all of the individuals that will be working the games both indoors and outdoors. During this meeting, the head of security and I will go over each situation and each post's responsibility. This meeting will ensure that everyone knows what to expect during an emergency. This practice is repeated each season or as often as necessary. Overall, having a plan in place and the materials and individuals to execute the plan will allow for increased safety and the security of your spectators. Everyone assumes going to a game will be a safe event. It is up to you and your team to do the necessary research and take the proper precautions in order to have your spectators exit the event the same way they arrived – safe. Brian Silipena, CMAA, is the athletic administrator at Pequannock Township High School in Morris County, New Jersey. He can be reached at brian.silipena@pequannock.org |
Safety and Security at Evening Events [NIAAA]
