Event Safety Insights Issue One | Fall 2016 | Page 32

ensure public safety. NWS also can provide outreach and education services (e.g. booth display) at special events. Several special event venues have also been recognized by the NWS’ StormReady® program. StormReady helps ensure emergency operations planning addresses hazardous weather and that communication systems are effective and redundant. What about National Special Security Events? If a special event has been designated as a “National Special Security Event” by the Department of Homeland Security, NWS support is dictated by law. NWS will provide full and prompt coordination and weather, water and climate support for these events. NWS will cooperate with any service providers hired by the event coordinator. What are some important weather safety tips for planning special events? If you are a large venue operator or conducting a high attendance event, coordination should begin well in advance with local emergency management officials and first responders. Serious consideration needs to be given to postponing or canceling an event should forecasts, outlooks and watches state conditions are favorable for severe storms. In addition, continuously monitor forecasts and warnings, train your staff on hazardous weather response through exercises, and have multiple methods for communicating information to employees and attendees. The more detailed the information you provide to attendees, repeated often through multiple communication means, the more likely they are to act on your safety instruction. Related Websites: Movers & Shakers NOAA NWS on the web: www.weather.gov NOAA NWS’ StormReady Program: www.stormready.noaa.gov NOAA Family of Services: www.weather.gov/datamgmt/fos/fosindex.html NOAA Weather Wire Service: www.weather.gov/nwws/index.html NOAA Weather Radio: www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr Experimental XML/CAP 1.1 Feeds and Web Displays: www.nws.noaa.gov/alerts-beta/ FEMA’s emergency planning guide for businesses: www.ready.gov/business/index.html Weather Ready Nation: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/ CMA Music Festival Earns StormReady Supporter Certificate In June, the National Weather Service office in Nashville awarded CMA Music Festival the certificate of StormReady supporter - the first ever awarded to a music festival. StormReady designation is awarded to organizations that promote the principles and guidelines of the National Weather Service’s StormReady program, and demonstrate superior communication and safety skills before, during, and after severe weather. “CMA Music Festival has always been proactive,” said Krissy Hurley, warning coordinator for the National Weather Service office in Nashville.” According to Hurley, the main requirements to be a StormReady supporter range from having a person monitoring weather around the clock for the event, to having a hazardous weather plan in place should severe weather strike. To learn more about the National Weather Service’s StormReady program, visit http:// www.stormready.noaa.gov/ Source: http://www.newschannel5.com/