Severe Weather & Outdoor Event Planning
Nothing ruins an outdoor event faster than severe weather. In this blog post, we'll discuss how to ensure the safety of your attendees, plan for emergencies, and communicate effectively in the event of severe weather.
Outdoor event planning can be a great way to bring people together and create unique experiences, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. One of the most significant of these is the potential for severe weather. It's essential to be prepared for the worst-case scenario, as even the most beautiful day can quickly turn dangerous. In this blog post, we'll discuss how to ensure the safety of your attendees, plan for emergencies, and communicate effectively in the event of severe weather.
Safety
Safety is the top priority when planning an outdoor event. It's essential to consider the potential hazards of the location and take steps to mitigate them. This may include ensuring that there is proper drainage to prevent flooding, or providing shade and water stations to protect attendees from the sun. It's also important to have a plan in place for severe weather, including clear evacuation routes and designated safe areas.
Have an Extreme Weather Plan
Creating a detailed plan is essential for responding to severe weather. This should include identifying potential hazards and planning on how to respond to them. It's also crucial to have a designated emergency response team in place, who will be responsible for monitoring the weather and making decisions about the safety of the event. This team should be trained in emergency response and have clear communication channels to keep everyone informed.
Communication
Communication is key during any emergency. Attendees should be made aware of the potential hazards and instructed on what to do in case of severe weather. PA systems or microphones are a great way to get a message across to a large group of people. Also consider social media or a text message system. It's also important to make sure that everyone knows the evacuation routes and safe areas, and that they know how to get to them quickly and safely.
Evacuation Plan
When the weather gets to be more severe and the safety and protection of your event attendees is in jeopardy, you need to have an evacuation plan in place. It should be clearly communicated to attendees and include designated evacuation routes, safe areas, and procedures for getting people to safety quickly.
Look after Staff
Consider providing umbrellas and raincoats during wet conditions, warm hoodies and heaters during colder conditions, and sun hats, sunscreen and water bottles during hot conditions.
High Winds
When it comes to setting up for the event, making sure all of your structures are securely anchored and properly tied down. Check portable toilets, portable pavilions, stages or marquee to ensure they don't run the risk of blowing away!
Waterproof Storage
A waterproof storage solution could be the lifesaver. Hard-wearing plastic lockers ensure weather resistance, providing sheltered and secure area to store supplies. They can also prove highly useful for any vendors or exhibitors who are also looking for weatherproof storage.
In conclusion, severe weather can pose a significant risk to outdoor events, but with proper planning, it's possible to keep attendees safe. A Risk assessments and an adverse weather policy should be part of every event organiser’s to-do-list.
Whether it’s a festival, fundraiser, or a sporting event, you’ll know that outdoor event success largely depends on the weather.
Jones XL specialise in supplying event security guards for public and private events, concerts, sporting events, corporate events, outdoor events, parties, exhibitions, school events and product launches.
We strongly recommend you liaise with us during the event planning stage.
Contact us today. For further information please Call 1300 566 379 or Email