Emergency and Contingency Planning

Emergency and Contingency Planning

Emergency and Contingency Planning We all hope to be dealing with the events for which we have planned - as we planned them. History, however, suggests that the potential for disruptive influences to be encountered are significant. We must therefore assess the risks and plan on this basis.

Contingency Plan..is a plan prepared by the ground management setting out the action to be taken in response to incidents occurring at the venue which might prejudice public safety or disrupt normal operations (for example, the loss of power to CCTV or PA systems) Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds

Emergency Plan..is prepared and owned by the emergency services for dealing with an event at the venue or in the vicinity (for example, a major fire or bomb alert). Also known as an emergency procedure plan, or major incident plan. Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds

Characteristics of an Emergency Emergency is defined in the Civil Contingencies Framework & Act as an event or situation which threatens serious damage to: a) human welfare in a place in the UK, b) the environment of a place in the UK, or c) war or terrorism which threatens serious damage to the security of the UK. In the context of civil contingencies Life, illness, injury Supply of money, food, water, energy, fuel Homelessness Electronic disruption Property Transport Health Services Sudden, Unexpected, Abnormal, Hazardous, Stressful; Require different management practices; Driven by time; Have different impacts and priorities for each individual /organisation; Are scrutinised remotely by stakeholders.

The Planning Cycle Consolidate 7. Validate 8. Review, revise EMBED 6. Train Promulgate 5. Issue & disseminate Construct 4. Agree & finalise 3. Determine actions & responsibilities CONSULT 1. Take direction from risk assessment 2. Set objectives Gather information

Event Safety Guide Minor emergencies or incidents that do not require the intervention of the emergency services, NHS or local authority, will need to be dealt with by developing suitable contingency plans It is important to appreciate that a minor incident could have potential to develop into a major incident is not properly planned for and managed Event organisers should therefore develop contingency plans to deal with minor incidents along with their major incident plans Major Incident Plans should be developed in conjunction with the emergency services

Sample Headings for Contingency Plans Structural failure Wind damage Subsidence Erosion Impact Adverse weather conditions Heavy rain High winds Flooding Snow Frost High temperatures Communication system failure External landlines/mobiles Internal telecomms Safety radio system PS system Electronic display board Equipment failure Fire detection/alarm systems Emergency lighting CCTV Turnstile counting system Electronic door release system Floodlight Lift/escalator Loss of services or utilities failure Electricity Gas Water supply Sewage Emergency power/ups Safety Management

Sample Headings for Contingency Plans Crowd related incidents internal Crowd surging/crushing Unauthorised incursion onto sports activity area Standing in seated areas Disorder Medical incident Crowd related incidents external Large scale late arrival Large scale ticket forgery Lock outs Critical incidents Fire Bomb threat/suspect package Gas leak/chemical incident Loss of control point Fire Loss of power Evacuation of the area Loss of key staff Loss of safety officer/deputy Large scale nonattendance of safety staff and/or other agencies due to illness or transport difficulties Safety Management

Contingency plans may need to contain: Internal Who was/is in charge Process for stopping match/event Identification of emergency routes Emergency control point Arrangements for people with special needs etc Assembly points Alerting procedures Provision and use of PA systems Partial/full evacuation arrangements External Alerting arrangements for emergency services Roles and responsibilities re police and other emergency services (Statement of Intent) RVPs and meet and greet Locations of on-site safety equipment

Event Safety Guide points to consider Identify key decision makers Stopping the event Emergency routes/access People with special needs Holding areas for performers, workers and audience Coded messages Stand down for stewards etc Alerting procedures Public warnings Evacuation/curtailment PA announcements to audience RVPs for emergency services Ambulance loading points Hospitals Equipment needed and locations Documentation

Conclusion The level of detail required to ensure appropriate contingency and emergency planning must not be underestimated Safety management and the emergency services must co-operate The SAG should ensure the appropriateness of the arrangements The planning cycle includes training and validation No plan survives first contact with the enemy