Fear-based attendee responses about your upcoming event
Today, our staff are dealing with a hurricane situation and managing to the safety of all of the client’s attendees. Hopefully your day is a bit less disruptive than ours. This was the perfect timing to reiterate that we know you can’t quit traveling or live life in fear in response to recent horrific tragedies, including the Las Vegas shooting, wild fires, and hurricanes, and or be too well prepared for emergency situations in meetings, airports, hotels, and more. Here are some steps to take in various situations.
Active Shooting
When you find yourself in a room full of people, stay aware and make observations of any suspicious activity.
Know where the exits and stairs are at all times, including secondary exits as they may be less crowded when large numbers of people rush toward main exits. Keep in mind that kitchens usually have their own emergency exits and may be the easiest accessible exits.
Avoid trapping yourself in a room with no exits – bathrooms for example.
In cases of active shootings, do not try to convince the shooter out of their actions – the likelihood of this is slim.
Never “play dead” in attempt to survive a shooting.
Take these three active steps in the following order:
Escape: run from the action
Hide: behind large barriers or barricaded doors if possible
Fight back: use anything you have as a weapon
Heart Attack
Check the safety of the scene
Tap on the person’s shoulder and ask if they are okay to determine consciousness
Check for evidence of breathing
Call for help and have someone call 911
If someone else is near, have them try to locate an AED
If person is unresponsive and not breathing, begin CPR
Evacuation
Determine the implications of the situation
Determine a meeting place in case you get separated from others
If it is safe to evacuate the building, locate the nearest exit
If not on the main floor, do not take elevators
Calmly exit the premises
Earthquake
When indoors, drop to the ground, hide under a sturdy desk, piece of furniture, or door frame, and hold on to something durable until the shaking stops
If outdoors, drop to the ground and tuck into the fetal position with arms crossed over the back of your neck until the shaking stops. Avoid power lines, trees, or buildings.
After the aftershocks cease, do not use cell phones unless for serious injury or emergency. Help others to evacuate buildings, and use radios to stay informed.
Hurricane
Consult with the local authorities and understand your venue’s response plan
Listen to the radio or TV for information
Avoid using cell phones unless for serious injury or emergency
Stay indoors at all times, away from windows and large hanging objects
Avoid elevators
Wild Fires
Listen to the radio or TV for information
Evacuate the area
In the event of a tragedy, consult with safety and security officials to learn emergency procedures for the location you are in. These tips are not comprehensive for every situation and provided as a tool to start the thinking process. Conference Event Management is not liable for any misunderstanding of these safety practices, for the content of the material or in the event suggestions change by authorities over time.
