Football — ICS-208 Safety Plan

Safety Message/Expanded Safety Message, Safety Plan, Site Safety Plan

Emergency Operations Plan

In the event of a public safety emergency incident, the on-site command post will direct the operations of police, fire, and EMS assets in the vicinity of the stadium facility. The command post team will operate according to the principle of the incident command system, with each of the three sectors following their agency’s guidelines for the management of the type of emergency which exists. Overall incident command will rotate to the discipline which has primary responsibility for action during the period of the incident.

Generally, incident command will be assumed as follows:

  • Normal operations — UIPD
  • Working fire or explosion — Fire Command
  • Major EMS Incident (MEI) — Fire Command
  • Civil disturbance — UIPD
  • Violent Crime in progress — UIPD
  • Major structural damage — Fire Command
  • Environmental Hazard — Fire Command

Specific emergency operations plans will be appended to this plan.

In the event of a public safety emergency, the University CEOC will be notified by UI Police. The notification will include advice from the event command center on a recommended assembly location for the team. The normal assembly location is the CEOC at the Fire Service Institute unless circumstances create a need for alternate location. The Team’s function is to provide logistical support to the command center during emergency operations.

1. Memorial Stadium Command Post Notification

The Football Game Event Management Command Post is located on the roof of the press box (217-244-6522). It is staffed by DIA and representatives of allied public safety agencies. For situations requiring administrative consultation, such as bomb threats, severe threatening weather, or other major incidents which threaten the game, the following individuals will be sent and Illini-Alert message advising them to call Capt. McCullough (217-369-1416).

  • Isbell
  • Mwilambwe
  • McMurray
  • Whitman
  • Denny
  • Chief Ballinger — 217-254-5082
  • Bryan — 919-564-6765
  • Kaler — 217-840-6527
  • Brauer — 217-390-9000
  • Heimbaugh — 217-621-1216

2. Stadium Evacuation Plan

Incidents, such as the imminent threat of severe weather, a working fire, or explosion in the structure, or other civil emergency, may require the partial or total evacuation of Memorial Stadium during a scheduled event. The decision to evacuate will be made by the Command Post, in consultation with appropriate university officials and the representatives of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Evacuations will be managed by the command post staff on duty at Memorial Stadium using the incident command system. In the event of a problem which neutralizes the command post staff, command will be turned over to the EOC staff located at IFSI.

The following resources will be used to manage an evacuation of the stadium.

  1. Public Address announcements
  2. Police Officers
  3. Emergency medical services personnel
  4. Stadium usher personnel
  5. Stadium maintenance personnel

Personnel will receive training in the implementation of this plan at briefings prior to scheduled events. Whenever possible, these personnel will be alerted and briefed on evacuation movement and assigned to posts to facilitate the evacuation prior to making public address announcements. Public address announcements will be used to give evacuation directions and to calm the crowd. The evacuation route for each seating area will follow the normal exit route unless that route passes through an unsafe area. The field will not normally be used as an evacuation route. It is set aside as an area to be used for triage and emergency medical treatment in case of injuries. If the incident requires that people be evacuated completely out of Memorial Stadium, public address announcements will direct evacuated fans to the parking areas and direct them to listen to game broadcast radio stations for further information prior to leaving the parking areas.

During incidents of severe inclement weather, which require temporary evacuation of the open seating areas, Memorial Stadium and the Indoor Football Facility have sufficient space under cover to provide shelter for the crowd. The Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) and the State Farm Center can also be utilized. Persons in the following seating areas will be directed as follows.

  1. Fans seated in the Horseshoe will be directed to the east and west great halls.
  2. Fans seated in rows in the lower east main stands will be directed to the east great hall and the restrooms on the main floor using the lower vomitories. Fans seated in the upper east main stands will be directed to the inner ramps and east great hall using the upper vomitories. Fan seated in the east balcony will be directed to the ramps located in the corner towers. The first fans to enter the east great hall will be directed to the Irwin Indoor building to help create enough space in the east great hall for as many fans as possible. As fans are directed to Irwin, those who have been positioned in the inner ramps can be directed to the east great hall.
  3. Fans seated in the west main stands will be directed to the West Great Hall. Fans seated in the west balcony will be directed to the ramps located in the corner towers.
  4. Fans seated in the north Stands will be directed to the ARC or the Irwin Indoor building.
  5. Fans seated in the Colonnades Club, 77 Club, and suites will be directed to stay where they are, but move away from windows.
  6. Fans located outside the stadium but inside the entrances will be directed to the nearest great hall by the nearest gate workers. Fans who have not yet had their ticket torn will be directed back to their car or the nearest available shelter outside of the stadium. The State Farm Center will be utilized as one of these shelters. Entry will be made through the east tunnel. The ARC and Indoor Football Facility can also be used for shelters. Gate worker supervisors will close, but not lock, the entrances.
  7. Depending on what time it is in relation to kick off the parking attendants will be instructed to take shelter in the nearest viable place or told to come to the stadium and check out.

3. Memorial Stadium Evacuation Plan

The purpose of the evacuation plan is to move people as safely and efficiently as possible to a safe area. The plan is a guideline, as circumstances may dictate different evacuation routes. In the case of a partial evacuation for weather, care must be made to keep people from the glassed side and roof areas of the towers. Supervisors and other law enforcement personnel are not included in the plan as a reserve to direct and respond as needed.

EMS providers will assist in evacuating people to the nearest stadium exit per dispatch from the Command Post. Any injuries sustained during evacuation will be treated in the designated safe zones within, or outside of the Stadium.

Officers whose post numbers/names are in italics and bold on the assignment sheet are assigned to the following evacuation posts (see diagram).

Standard Post — Instructions

  • Post 3 — Report to the Northwest Tower/ Colonnade Club. The officer will assist ushers and gate workers in directing people from the Colonnade Club into the great halls and attempt to keep people from entering the glass roofed areas on the tower.
  • Post 5 — Report to the Southwest Tower/ Colonnade Club. The officer will assist ushers and gate workers in directing people from the Colonnade Club into the great halls and attempt to keep people from entering the glass roofed area of the tower.
  • Post 9 — Officer will report to the walkway between the band area and the North Stands and direct people out of the Vomitorium to underneath the North Stands and then to the ARC.
  • Post 15, 16 — Officer will report to the Southeast Horseshoe steps and guide people to the East Great Hall.
  • Post 17, 18 — Officers will report to the Southwest Horseshoe steps and guide people to the West Great Hall.
  • Post 28, 29 — Help evacuate the North Stands to the area underneath the North Stands and then on to the ARC.
  • Post 30 — Report to the Northeast Tower/East Main. The officer will assist ushers and gate workers in directing people from the main stands into the great hall and keep people from entering the glass roof area on the tower. From the east great hall people will then be directed to the ARC.
  • Post 32 — The officer will respond to the East Information Booth area. The officer will encourage people to move toward the middle of the East Great Hall and direct people into the ARC.
  • Post 36 — The officer will report to the Southeast Tower/ East Main. The officer will assist ushers and gatemen in directing people from the main stands into the great hall and attempt to keep people from entering the glass roofed area of the tower. From the east great hall people will be directed to the ARC.
  • Post 43 — Report to Vomitory 201 and assist with evacuation on the inner Northeast Tower Ramps.
  • Post 44 — The officer will report to Vomitory 205 and will encourage people to split to the north and south. Having people go north and south from this point will allow for the maximum use of space inside the facility and facilitate an efficient evacuation.
  • Post 45 — The officers will report to Vomitory 209 and assist with evacuation on the inner Southeast Tower Ramps.

Aircraft Threat Plan

  1. In the event a threat is received involving an airplane or one appears to be in a threatening position, the Command Post will contact Willard Regional Airport for assistance with any information on the plane that is available and any assistance in response if needed.
  2. The Command Post will attempt to obtain the number on the plane to relay to Willard Airport and also search this information on the websites provided for any flight information.
  3. The Command Post will work with authorities in the Stadium to make a decision as to whether the game will proceed. The Command Post will notify the appropriate Division of Intercollegiate Athletics personnel of the situation.
  4. The Command Post will contact local FBI personnel for any assistance with regulating the airspace with the FAA if needed.
  5. The Command Post will have area agencies notified of the threat in the event mutual aid will be requested and stage personnel at a staging area remote to Memorial Stadium and prepare any remote Command Post locations in the event there is damage to Memorial Stadium.
  6. Some personnel will be relocated to a staging area for deployment in the event of an actual emergency in Memorial Stadium. They will also be required to obtain triage equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for response if needed.
  7. Patrol Units will be assigned to locations to monitor airplanes in the area that may begin an approach on Memorial Stadium and notify the Command Post of any concerns via radio and phone.
  8. Champaign County EMA, University CEOC, Carle Hospital and OSF Hospital will be notified of the threat.
  9. The Command Post will direct any threat announcements that will be given, if necessary.

1. Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) will be in effect for general aviation per the Open Stadium Act. This restriction is automatically in effect for all NCAA Division One stadiums with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more. The TFR starts one hour before kick-off and ends one hour after the game is over. The TFR covers an area three nautical miles around the Stadium and 3,000 feet above ground level. For more information on these rules, https://www.faa.gov/uas/where_to_fly/airspace_restrictions/media/Sports_TFR-UAS-Handout.pdf.

Report violations to Willard Airport Tower or the FAA Great Lakes Regional Operations Center.

Willard Airport Control Tower phone number: 217-355-4046
Great Lakes Regional Operation Center: 847-294-8400

Aircraft registration information may be obtained at: http://forpilots.com/nquery.html

2. Airplane Threat Procedure Phone List

  • Chief Ballinger — 217-254-5082
  • DC Hetrick — 217-304-2187
  • Capt. McCullough — 217-369-1416
  • Capt. Robbins — 217-840-9567
  • Brauer — 217-390-9000
  • Heimbaugh — 217-621-1216
  • Carle Hospital — 217-383-3313
  • OSF Hospital — 217-337-2131
  • Robin Kaler — 217-840-6527
  • Willard Airport Tower — 217-355-4046
  • FAA Great Lakes Regional Operations Center — 847-294-8400

Memorial Stadium Excessive Heat Plan

The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) has developed this plan in order to provide a safe environment for patrons and employees when athletic events occur at Memorial Stadium during times of dangerous heat.

For purposes of planning and responding to these events, this plan is divided into four specific response levels:

Green — Heat index less than 90°F

Yellow — Heat Index between 90°F and 95°F

Red — Heat index between 95°F and 100°F

Black — Heat index above 100°F

When conditions are forecast to be in the Yellow, Red or Black categories, a UIPD representative will coordinate with DIA to determine the level of response needed. Should resources be needed, the UIPD representative will make contact with the appropriate agency to check availability of resources for the game.

The UIPD representative will make contact with the appropriate fire department, EMS service and Illini EMS to make them aware of the projected heat plan response.

UIPD will maintain contact with the National Weather Service in Lincoln, IL to get updates and will coordinate with the Champaign County Emergency Management Agency if needed.

Green

  1. No special considerations required.

Yellow

  1. UIPD will contact the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (CU-MTD) and request that at least one bus be designated as a cooling bus and parked at a location to be determined by DIA. See “Cooling Bus” section for additional directives.
  2. DIA staff shall make certain that an adequate supply of bottled water is available for patrons.

Red

  1. UIPD will contact the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (CU-MTD) and request that at least two buses be designated as cooling buses and parked at locations to be determined by DIA. One will be used as a public cooling bus and the other can be used as a Medical only bus, if needed. See “Cooling Bus” section for additional directives.
  2. UIPD will contact Illinois American Water to request their water trailers and a cooling mist tower. The cooling mist tower should be installed in the area of the SE Entrance.
  3. UIPD will request the MABAS Division 28 Mobile Ventilation Unit (MAV) from the Champaign Fire Department and determine staging or deployment location. Consider need for additional fire resources operating misting stations.
  4. DIA staff shall make certain that an adequate supply of bottled water is available for patrons.

Black

  1. UIPD will contact the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (CU-MTD) and request up to three buses be designated as cooling buses and parked at locations to be determined by DIA. Two will be used as public cooling buses and the other can be used as a Medical only bus, if needed. See “Cooling Bus” section for additional directives.
  2. UIPD will contact Illinois American Water to request their water trailers and a cooling mist tower. The cooling mist tower should be installed in the area of the SE Entrance.
  3. Request the MABAS Division 28 Mobile Ventilation Unit (MAV) from the Champaign Fire Department and determine staging or deployment location. Consider need for additional fire resources operating misting stations.
  4. DIA staff shall make certain that an adequate supply of bottled water is available for patrons.

1. Game Day

  1. Briefings with DIA and Law Enforcement personnel will include a review of the response level for that day and the pertinent portions of the plan, if needed.
  2. EMS and ambulance provider will ensure that sufficient resources are available for the Medical cooling bus, if needed.
  3. DIA staff will verify DIA provided coolers filled with ice and water are available on the cooling buses, as specified in the cooling bus section of this plan. DIA staff will check and resupply the coolers on a regular basis. The Command Post should be contacted if additional water is needed.
  4. Verify requested fire department equipment and the Illinois American Water cooling misting area has been established.
  5. The Command Post will direct PA announcement, if necessary.
  6. After the game, Command Post staff shall conduct a debriefing to determine if any changes are necessary to this plan.

2. Cooling Bus Plan

  1. CU-MTD has four buses that run the tranSPORT route to bring patrons from different locations on campus to Memorial Stadium. These buses normally stage on Peabody Drive and the area north of Fourth and Kirby during the game. Depending on need, CU-MTD can designated any of these buses to be cooling buses as set forth in this plan.
  2. Coordination can take place with the CU-MTD Operations Supervisor prior to game day if there will be a definite need for a cooling bus(es). Should an unplanned need arise during a game or should contact need to be made with a particular bus, the Command Post can communicate with the CU-MTD dispatch (217-384-8188) who can then relay messages to bus drivers.
  3. Placement of cooling buses will be coordinated between Command Post personnel and CU-MTD.
  4. When needed, the Medical bus shall be staffed by a minimum of one member of IEMS or other medically certified personnel. This staff member shall have radio communications with the Command Post. Determination on the need for a Medical bus will be handled by the ambulance company supervisor, fire department representative and IEMS supervisor.
  5. If the need arises, DIA will provide ice and water to any bus that is designated as a cooling bus or Medical bus.

Missing / Lost Persons

On occasion a patron will report a lost child/adult to an event staff worker, police officer or other public safety employee working the detail.

Upon being notified that there is a lost child/adult the following information about the missing person should be gathered and relayed to the command post immediately:

  • Name
  • Age
  • Physical characteristics (race, sex, height, weight, hair color, eye color)
  • Clothing
  • Distinguishing features/characteristics
  • Disability or medical condition
  • Seat location (if known)
  • Cell phone number (if known)
  • Last area seen
  1. Once all pertinent information has been gathered, radio dispatches should be sent on all available radio channels providing the description of the lost child/adult. Those radio channels should include police, fire, IEMS/Carle, DIA operations, DIA event staff and DIA parking.
  2. The staff member who is with the reporting party should stay with that person and not let them leave. These people can relocate to the guest services area or the Varsity Room in appropriate. If not reported directly to a police officer, an officer should immediately respond to speak with the reporting person and provide further updates.
  3. Should the missing child/adult not be located in a reasonable amount of time, a UIPD officer will be summoned to take a missing person report.

Chemical / Radiological / Biological Hazard Plan

The Illinois National Guard Civil Support Team (CST) will provide equipment to monitor the air quality in, and around, Memorial Stadium. The CST will have teams of personnel to check on devices and respond to any issues. A member of the CST will be stationed in the command post to receive information from the air quality monitors and provide direction to the command staff as needed.

All personnel shall review the weather forecast for the day of the event to be apprised of humidity levels, wind direction, and speed.

In the event that there are any credible threats of a chemical, radiological, or biological release, the Command Post shall do the following:

  1. Stage or deploy the proper equipment, if available, for all personnel. This will be determined by conferring with Environmental Health and Safety and Fire/HazMat personnel.
  2. The equipment will include gas masks with appropriate filter and/or chemical protective attire.
  3. Assure that the Command Post Commanders shall have immediately available gas masks.
  4. Move the Command Post to EOC at IFSI.
  5. Notify mutual aid agencies of the potential need for personnel, the type of threat known, location of the staging area, and equipment that they will need to provide.
  6. Monitor that Champaign or Urbana Fire have notified area hospitals of the type of threat and get direction on what will be required.
  7. Contact Champaign County EMA (John Dwyer) and set up the EOC in the event it will be needed.
  8. Notify the shift supervisor to move shift personnel away from the Stadium and prepare to move operations to the alternate Command Post location for unified command, if needed.
  9. A CEOC Illini-Alert should be sent to notify the CEOC team members.

In the event of a chemical, radiological, or biological release within the Stadium the Command Post should do the following:

  1. Coordinate the evacuation of all persons using the standard threat announcement for evacuation, and evacuate as directed by HazMat personnel using radios, phones, and message board announcements, keeping in mind wind direction, speed, and location of the hazard. Provide decon to any exposed patrons or employees.
  2. Advise personnel on what the substance is and where it is located, if known.
  3. Make appropriate notifications to EMS/Fire/HazMat personnel.
  4. Assure that dignitaries are protected, and personnel needed in the EOC are moved to that location if non-contaminated.
  5. Activate one of the two alternate Command Post locations and activate the EOC or alternative EOC.

Bomb Threat Plan

In the event that a bomb threat is received, an attempt will be made to get the exact wording and all other pertinent details relating to the message (see attached Bomb Threat Phone Checklist).

The Command Post will be informed immediately of the threat and the information received.

The Command Post will make a decision to search, evacuate, or wait. The Command Post will notify the appropriate Stadium managers of the situation. EOD officers working the game should be consulted for guidance in making this determination.

The Command Post will contact all police supervisors via radio and direct them to contact the Command Post for instructions.

At a minimum, police, ushers, and DIA personnel will be instructed to conduct a visual search of areas for any suspicious packages. Bomb dogs shall be deployed in the Stadium.

IEMS personnel will remain stationed while continuing to provide emergency medical services and will await further updates and direction from the Command Post.

Patrol units and parking lot patrol will be assigned to conduct a visual search around the outside of the Stadium.

The Command Post will be contacted if a device or suspicious package is located. The area around the device will be isolated and the bomb dogs, along with EOD, will respond (see attached Bomb or Suspicious Package Guidelines).

The Command Post will direct which announcement will be given, if necessary.

Points to remember:

  1. DO NOT USE ANY RADIOS during a bomb threat. The electrical transmission could detonate the device.
  2. Treat every bomb threat seriously.
  3. Bombs are usually placed in inconspicuous places where they are not likely to be seen.
  4. Almost any object can conceal a bomb, so look for items out of place.
  5. Never touch a suspicious package when searching for a bomb.
  6. If evacuation is necessary, do so calmly and orderly. More people are injured by panic than if a bomb actually goes off.

If it is decided that a search will be conducted:

  • Teams will be set up to search the facility.
  • Ushers and gate workers will search the concourses, restrooms, and vomitories for any object that looks out of place, such as a box, briefcase, purse, paper bag, etc.
  • All search personnel are cautioned not to touch any suspicious objects if found. Any suspicious items should be immediately reported to the command post, UIPD will then take over.
  • If evidence from the search indicates that the threat is most likely a false threat, then the following announcement MAY be made from the PA system:
  • “Ladies and Gentlemen… from time to time public places receive anonymous calls regarding some threat or damage. We have received such a call here today involving the possibility of a bomb, so the authorities are now taking proper precautions for your safety. The game/event will continue; however, if you wish to leave, you may do so. The ushers are available for your assistance.”
  • If some validity to the threat is determined, then the following announcement will be made:
  • “Ladies and gentlemen… from time to time the University receives anonymous calls regarding bomb threats. Such a call has been received, and we would like to take a recess so that a search can be conducted. The ushers are available for your assistance in leaving the building. Please take your time leaving the building by the nearest exit. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Evacuation Procedure:

  1. Ushers and gate workers will open all doors.
  2. Guests will be directed to the closest exit.
  3. All obstacles (garbage receptacles, tables, chairs, etc.) will be removed in order to expedite the evacuation.
  4. Security will make an effort to provide an exit through the Horseshoe to guests with field passes.
  5. All employees should be available to assist the guests out of the building. A calm orderly exit is the key to avoiding injury, as panic would be more dangerous. The entire building will treat any injuries sustained during evacuation in the designated safe zones outside of the Stadium.
  6. EMS personnel will treat any injuries sustained during evacuation in the designated safe zones outside of the Stadium.

1. Bomb Threat Phone Checklist

If you receive an incoming call that is a bomb threat, remain calm and courteous. Listen carefully and do not interrupt the caller. Keep him or her on the line as long as possible. Pretend to have difficulty hearing, if necessary. Ask these questions:

  • Where is the bomb?
  • When will it go off?
  • What does it look like?
  • Did the caller place the bomb? If so, why?
  • If not, how does he/she know about it?
  • Name of the person/organization calling:
  • Fill in the following immediately after the caller hangs up:
  • Your name: Time: Date:
  • Phone line that call was received on:
  • Call lasted approximately minutes
  • Did you recognize the caller’s voice?
  • Did the description of the bomb location or anything else that the caller said indicate familiarity with the premises?
  • Caller’s sex (Circle): male female
  • Caller’s estimated age:

Caller’s Voice and Manner (Check everything that applies):

  • Fast
  • Slow
  • Distinct
  • Stuttering
  • Distorted/slurred
  • Nasal
  • Lisp
  • High
  • Hoarse
  • Other:

Choice of Language:

  • Educated
  • Un-educated
  • Foul or profane
  • Other:

Dialect:

  • Did the caller seem to speak in a foreign or regional American dialect?

Manner:

  • Calm
  • Angry
  • Rational
  • Irrational
  • Coherent
  • Incoherent
  • Deliberate
  • Emotional
  • Righteous
  • Businesslike
  • Shouting
  • Brusque
  • Ill at ease
  • Laughing

Other:

  • Did you hear background noise that might suggest where the caller was?
  • Conversation
  • Street traffic
  • Airplanes
  • Trains
  • Crowd
  • Office machines
  • Party
  • Music
  • Animals
  • Factory machines
  • School bell
  • Public address system
  • Other:

Any additional comments:

2. Bomb or Suspicious Package Guidelines

Please consider the following:

  • Be alert for any suspicious, i.e. unoccupied, unusual vehicles parked in or near any of the listed facilities.
  • Approach the incident from up wind.
  • All responders should wear at least respiratory protection if chemical or biological weapons are suspected.
  • Be alert for suspicious packages; do not touch or move them.
  • Do not use radios or cell phones within 300 feet of a suspicious package.
  • Evacuate and isolate individuals who have potentially been exposed to a hazardous substance or may be exposed.
  • Refer to the Incident Command Field Guide for additional guidelines. Also refer to the 2000 Emergency Response Guidebook.

3. Memorial Stadium Special Threat Announcements

The following messages are to read by the field announcer ONLY UPON THE DIRECTION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS POLICE COMMAND POST.

Pre-game standard announcement:

“Ladies and gentlemen, if at any time during this event an emergency situation arises, you will be notified via public address and/or message board of the situation and what actions you should take. Please follow the directions of our uniformed officers, emergency responders, security personnel, and stadium staff. Thank you.”

Announcement in the event of a threat: TO BE USED ONLY UPON AUTHORIZATION OF THE POLICE CHIEF OR DESIGNEE.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have received an anonymous notice threatening damage to the stadium. We are investigating at this time and the game will continue. Those persons wishing to leave are instructed to do so in an orderly manner by following the directions of our uniformed officers, emergency responders, security personnel, and stadium staff. We will keep you informed of further developments.”

Power Outage Plan

If a power outage occurs:

  • Notify the Command Post immediately
  • Maintenance, electricians, and building engineers will be called to immediately attempt to correct the situation
  • Evacuation will only occur if necessary

Power Outage Announcement:

“Ladies and Gentlemen: May I have your attention please? We are experiencing a power outage and ask you to remain in your seats. There is no danger to anyone as long as you remain seated. Thank you for your cooperation. We will continue to inform you of progress as information becomes available.”

Severe Weather Operations Plan

1. Game Day Operations

During incidents of severe inclement weather that require temporary evacuation of the open seating areas, Memorial Stadium has sufficient space under cover to provide shelter for the crowd. Persons in the following seating areas will be directed as follows:

  1. Fans seated in the Horseshoe will be directed to the east and west great halls.
  2. Fans seated in rows in the lower east main stands will be directed to the East Great Hall and the restrooms on the main floor using the lower vomitories. Fans seated in the upper east main stands will be directed to the inner ramps and east great hall using the upper vomitories. Fan seated in the east balcony will be directed to the ramps located in the corner towers. The first fans to enter the east great hall will be directed to the Irwin Indoor building to help create enough space in the east great hall for as many fans as possible.
  3. Fans seated in the west main stands will be directed to the West Great Hall. Fans seated in the west balcony will be directed to the ramps located in the corner towers.
  4. Fans seated in the north stands will be directed under the seating area or to the Irwin indoor practice facility.
  5. Fans seated in the Colonnades Club, 77 Club, and suites will be directed to stay where they are, but move away from windows.
  6. Fans located outside the stadium but inside the entrances will be directed to the nearest great hall by the nearest gate workers. Fans who have not yet had their ticket torn will be directed back to their car or the nearest available shelter outside of the stadium. The State Farm Center will be made available as a shelter and most people will be directed there using the main west entrance to get in the building. Gate worker supervisors will close, but not lock, the entrances.
  7. Depending on what time it is in relation to kick off the parking attendants will be instructed to take shelter in the nearest viable place or told to come to the stadium and check out.

Once the game resumes after a suspension due to weather, people who leave the stadium due to a weather evacuation will be required to show a stubbed ticket to regain entrance. If available, they will be searched in the same manner as if they were entering the stadium for the first time.

The decision as to when to begin an evacuation will be made by Public Safety and DIA personnel in the command post. The decision will be made on information from the National Weather Service, real time radar images and from Champaign County Sheriff Deputies and Illinois State Troopers patrolling the outer areas of the county.

In compliance with NCAA guidelines, once lightning is sighted, the event must be suspended for 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder and flash of lightning within a pre-determined radius of the Stadium. It will be the decision of the event manager, officials, and coaches whether to continue the event after the delay. The event manager will coordinate with public safety agencies and the National Weather Service to assess conditions. The command post staff has access to computers to help evaluate the weather conditions.

2. Key Terms to Know

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen to the radio for later statements and possible warnings.

A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted in the area. Listen for radio announcements on local radio and television stations, monitor NOAA Weather Radio and, if outdoors, listen for the Outdoor Warning Sirens to sound. It is important to note that the Outdoor Warning Sirens are not designed to be heard indoors. If notified of a tornado warning, via siren or local media, take immediate cover. Stay in a protected area for a period of 30 minutes. If the immediate danger continues to exist, or if a new threat develops, the sirens will be sounded again. Individuals who are unable to hear the siren should monitor for weather bulletins on local radio and television stations.

After the disturbance has passed, announce: “Thank you for your cooperation. We have been given the ALL CLEAR.”

  • The event should then be continued if possible.
  • Inform the public of any hazards possible in the surrounding areas as they exit the event.

3. Weather Announcement: Lightning Approaching

Lightning Announcement:

“A storm that is producing cloud to ground lightning has been detected and appears to be moving toward the stadium. Please listen for instructions for your seating area.

If you are seated in the Horseshoe please proceed to the east and west great halls.
If you are seated in rows 1-50 in the lower main stands please proceed to the East and West Great Halls. If you are seated in the upper East Main stands from row 50-75 you have sufficient protection in your seats and do not need to evacuate.
If you are seated in the balconies please proceed to the ramps located in the corner towers and under the main stand seating areas.
If you are seated in the North Stands please proceed to the mezzanine and restrooms located under the North Stands.”

4. Weather Announcement: Warning Issued

Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Warning Announcement:

“The National Weather Service has issued a (severe thunderstorm/tornado) warning for the area that includes Memorial Stadium. Please listen for evacuation instructions for your seating area.

If you are seated in the Horseshoe please proceed to the east and west great halls
If you are seated in the East Main stands please proceed to the East Great Hall and the restrooms on the main floor using the nearest exit. If you are seated in the East Balcony please proceed to the ramps located in the corner towers.
If you are seated in the West Main stands please proceed to the West Great Hall using the nearest exit. If you are seated in the West Balcony please proceed to the ramps located in the corner towers.
If you are seated in the North Stands please proceed to the Irwin Indoor building.
If you are seated in the Colonnades Club, 77 Club, or suites please stay where you are, move away from the windows.
If you are on the outer concourses of the stadium please make your way to the nearest great hall.”

5. Weather Announcement: Watch Issued

Thunderstorm or Tornado Watches Announcement:

“The National Weather Service has issued a (thunderstorm or tornado) watch for an area that includes Memorial Stadium. Our Department of Public Safety will monitor the situation and you will be informed of any approaching dangerous storms.”

Site Safety Plan Required?

Yes No

Approved Site Safety Plan(s) Located At

 

Emergency Management
1011 Springfield Avenue
Urbana, Illinois 61801
217-333-1216
University of Illinois