Arenas

Safe Emergency Evacuation from Sporting Arenas, Concert Venues, and Theaters

With a number of entertainment events taking place in arenas, concert venues, and theaters, there are often massive crowds. If an emergency situation occurs, such as a power outage, terrorist attack, or natural disaster, large crowds can make it especially difficult for paramedics and EMTs to evacuate non-ambulatory individuals safely and effectively. The Evacuation Slyde by DQE is a lightweight rescue sled that can offer peace of mind should the unexpected occur.

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that public accommodations be made for individuals with disabilities. This includes places of exhibition or entertainment, such as theaters, stadiums, and arenas.^[1]

Despite attempts to make public arenas more accessible for disabled patrons, ramps and elevators will not always be readily available in an emergency situation. The Evacuation Slyde utilizes stairwells for safe and effective transport without the use of heavy equipment or motors.

Including Slyde in Your Emergency Plan

No matter how prepared you are, no emergency plan is complete without proper evacuation equipment. Crafted from high-quality corrugated polypropylene, the Evacuation Slyde is lightweight and incredibly durable. The sturdy frame allows for the transport of other lifesaving devices, such as heart monitors or first aid equipment.

Our rescue sleds come in two different sizes. The standard Slyde can transport people up to 500 pounds. The Bariatric Slyde can accommodate individuals up to 800 pounds. Strong, built-in web handles provide multi-point control for two to seven carriers, making maneuverability a breeze.

Emergency Preparedness at Stadiums and Arenas

Due to the sheer size of arenas and the volume of large-scale crowds, emergency planning for entertainment venues can be challenging. The Lake Forest Group, a security consulting service in Illinois, recommends implementing “The Six Pillars of Large-Scale Venue Security Design”.[2] These include:

Personnel Security: This includes assessing risk regarding manpower, staffing, posts, supervision, and a chain of command.
Systems Technology: It is important to evaluate whether there is sufficient technology, such as cameras, alarms, x-ray screening, metal detectors, and more.
Physical Security: Arenas must have proper barriers, gates, locks, windows, and fencing.
Processes: It is necessary to review security policies, parking, transportation, crowd control, and guest management.
Emergency Preparedness: This includes evacuation planning, incident response, emergency management, lockdown, shelter, and relocation.
Liaison: This will determine who will communicate with first responders and necessary third parties.

Legal Considerations

Emergencies of all kinds can occur in a stadium, arena, or theater. Entertainment venues face a number of charges every year for a variety of incidents, ranging from falls, shootings, and traumatic injury. For example:

In November 2010, two-year-old Lucas Tang fell nearly 30 feet from a luxury box at Staples Center in Los Angeles. His parents filed a lawsuit against the company that owns the arena.[3]
In March 2002, 13-year-old Brittanie Cecil was struck in the head by a hockey puck at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. Her family received a $1.2 million settlement.[4]
In July 2012, victims of the Aurora movie theater shooting sued Cinemark, citing security flaws and ill-preparation.[5]

It can be difficult to prepare for the unknown, as it is nearly impossible to predict the type of incidents that could occur. Investing in Slyde can help you take control over situations that will hopefully never happen.

Find Out More

The Evacuation Slyde is one of the most affordable medical sleds on the market today. To learn more, you can visit our online resource center.

[1] http://adata.org/publication/disability-law-handbook

[2] http://lakeforestgroup.com/arena-stadium-security-requires-protecting-people-property-assets/

[3] https://www.law360.com/articles/552774/parents-seek-punitive-damages-for-staples-center-death

[4] http://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=1782097

[5] http://www.denverpost.com/2016/05/10/aurora-theater-shooting-victims-cite-security-flaws-as-civil-trial-opens/