Emergency evacuation plan
1.1. Aim. To plan to execute an orderly and save evacuation, or partial evacuation, of the Regatta Field in the event of an emergency.
1.2. Scope. Three events are envisaged that will require implementation of this plan:
1.2.1 Receipt of a Security threat, such as an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
1.2.2 A large scale fire in the refreshment marquee.
1.2.3 Surface water flooding following torrential rain.
1.3. Communication. Key regatta staff – the area co-ordinators – will be made aware of this plan through the issue of the Regatta Safety Plan. They will brief staff in there area as applicable.
1.4. Control. Implementation of this plan will be exercised by Race Control. The Race Controller, or other available Club Official, will take responsibility.
SECURITY THREAT
2.1 Considerations
2.1.1 Evacuation. Consider whether an immediate evacuation is appropriate, or whether there is an alternate approach – take police advice.
2.1.2 Information. The police will need the fullest information possible, therefore the individual who receives the security threat needs to be available to assist the police on their arrival.
2.1.3 Assembly Point. Two options, dependent on the nature of the threat and any prior use:
2.1.3.1 The Riverside Park to the south of the Town Bridge – it is accessible by foot without crossing any roads, close at hand and relatively contained. However, there is no line of sight, access is via a choke point, and regatta participants will mingle with others.
2.1.3.2 The north west corner of the Regatta field – directly accessible, close at hand, in line of sight and regatta participants more likely to be kept together. However, access via regatta car park unwise if threat likely from an in-car IED.
2.1.4. Use of Radios. Normally, in the event of a security threat radio transmissions should cease to minimise the risk of electromagnetic radiation from initiating any device. However, since during the regatta radio communication is an almost constant activity and therefore would already have initiated a devise, such use should not necessarily be stopped, but should be curtailed and limited to current locations.
2.1.5. Boats. Two options for boats that are on the water:
2.1.5.1 To congregate at the start – advantage of being out of the way and in contact with regatta staff. However, if conditions are extreme (very hot or wet and cold) it will be difficult for crews to de-boat and shelter. Could be an initial response before implementing second option.
2.1.5.2 To Club landing stage – advantage of crews being able to de-boat and obtain shelter. However, it could be within the threat area and may be un-manned.
It would probably be advisable for safety boats to go with the crews.
2.2 Immediate Actions
2.2.1 Individual Receiving Threat. Ensure that the individual receiving the threat remains available to assist the police.
2.2.2 Notify Police and Seek Advice. Ensure your voice will not be picked up by the public address system microphone.
Dial 999 ask for Police.
Provide your details and the event: St Neots Regatta on St Neots Regatta Field west of the river and north of the town bridge.
Give full details of the threat message.
Take advice on immediate action – evacuate, or hold tight? Continue with regatta? Advise assembly point, if appropriate.
Agree regatta official to meet police response at vehicle entry to Regatta Field, on Cross Hall Road, or elsewhere.
If appropriate:
2.2.3 Decide Assembly Point.
2.2.4 Stop Racing and Decide where to Send Crews.
2.2.5 Delegate an official to clear the Race Control tent of competitors and keep officials in place to be tasked with follow-on actions
2.2.6 Make Public Address System Announcement. Suggested announcement, modifying text as appropriate*:
THIS IS RACE CONTROL, CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE.
WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF A SECURITY THREAT TO THE REGATTA AND HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE POLICE TO EVACUATE THE REGATTA FIELD.
THE DESIGNATED ASSEMBLY POINT IS: THE RIVERSIDE PARK TO THE SOUTH OF THE TOWN BRIDGE or* THE FAR NORTH WEST CORNER OF THE REGATTA FIELD.
COMPETITORS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND REGATTA STAFF ARE ASKED TO MAKE AN ORDERLY EXIT TO THE ASSEMBLY POINT
YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO DRIVE OFF THE REGATTA FIELD
RACING IS NOW STOPPED AND ALL CREWS ON THE WATER ARE ASKED TO: CONGRUGATE AT THE START or* DE-BOAT AT THE CLUBHOUSE LANDING STAGE
FURTHER INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED WHEN THE SITUATION HAS CLARIFIED
<repeat text apart from first line> END OF ANNOUNCEMENT.
2.3 Follow-on Actions
2.3.1 Diary. Keep brief diary of actions taken.
2.3.2 Delegate Actions to Officials. Record who is tasked with these actions mobile phone numbers, if not already known.
2 at Race Control to co-ordinate – 1st actions this section, 2nd actions 2.3.3.
1 to Regatta Field entrance, with individual that received threat, to liaise with police. Also to advise public not to enter Regatta Field.
1 to Assembly Point (with mobile phone / loud hailer) to act as focal point.
1 to Boating to ensure, with regatta boating staff, that crews on land evacuate and crews on water do not land. When clear advise Race Control and evacuate to assembly point.
1 to Refreshment Marquee to ensure, with regatta catering staff, that: marquee and BBQ is evacuated; gas appliances are turned off; cash is removed for safe keeping. When clear advise Race Control and evacuate to assembly point.
1 to First Aid to assist transfer to assembly point.
1 to Footpath Entrance to south of Regatta Field to advice public not to enter the Regatta Field. (If insufficient, use person from Boating).
1 from Registration to ensure that Registration cash is removed for safe keeping, to assembly point.
1 (preferably 2, 1 with regatta knowledge) to remove up to date race documentation, to assembly point. They will need to consider what can be salvaged from the day’s racing, assuming a minimum of 2 to 3 hours loss.
If others available, to encourage members of public and stall holders comply with evacuation to assembly point.
2.3.3 Contact with Other Race Officials. Make contact with other race officials, preferably by phone alternate radio, to confirm actions, obtain mobile phone numbers where necessary and advise no further radio use:
Umpires – confirm going off station to assembly point.
Safety and Ferry Boats – to accompany boats to designated place, and ensure stakeboat crews are landed at Start.
Boating – confirm situation.
Start – confirm situation.
Clubhouse (if manned) – confirm situation, consider evacuation to car park entrance.
2.3.4 Await Police.
2.3.5 Evacuation of Race Control. Consider when to evacuate Race Control to assembly point, as remainder of evacuation proceeds. Notify Assembly Point focal point and official awaiting police before actioning.
LARGE SCALE FIRE IN REFRESHMENT MARQUEE
3.1 Considerations
3.1.1 Evacuation. Initial actions will by necessity be taken by regatta staff manning the Refreshment Marquee. Race Control will be limited to follow-on actions.
3.1.2 Assembly Point. Some options, dependent on strength of wind and direction. Regatta catering staff co-ordinators should consider each day, and during the day if wind conditions change:
2.2.2.1 The circle of hard-standing asphalt (where the toilets are located).
2.2.2.2 The car park area to the north of the marquee, beyond the ditch.
2.2.2.3 The ground to the west of the marquee, but without obstructing the Emergency Access Lane.
3.1.3. Racing. There will be little option but to suspend racing for a period. Boats could either remain in place, or return to the landing stage.
3.2 Immediate Actions
3.2.1 Regatta Staff Manning the Refreshment Marquee:
3.2.1.1 To initiate evacuation, directing people to assembly point.
3.2.1.2 Only consider fighting fire if entirely safe to do so.
3.2.1.3 Notify Race Controller – by mobile phone (after evacuation), or runner, advising assembly point.
3.2.1.4 Contact emergency services by mobile phone.
3.2.2 Race Control:
3.2.2.1 Contact emergency services by mobile phone (does not matter if duplicate).
3.2.2.2 Make Public Address System announcement:
THIS IS RACE CONTROL. THE REFRESHMENT MARQUEE IS BEING EVACUATED BECAUSE OF FIRE. EVACUEES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT ……
THE EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE ON THERE WAY.
RACING IS SUSPENDED, BOATS SHOULD RETURN TO THE LANDING STAGE.
FURTHER INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED WHEN THE SITUATION HAS CLARIFIED. <repeat text > END OF ANNOUNCEMENT.
3.2.2.3 Dispatch regatta official (with mobile phone and loud hailer) to co-ordinate the assembly point. He/she should attempt to establish whether all persons have been evacuated, and report back to Race Control.
3.2.2.4 Dispatch regatta official to entrance to Regatta Field to liaise with arriving emergency services.
3.2.2.5 Dispatch regatta official to ensure that the emergency access lane is kept clear.
3.2.2.6 Dispatch regatta official to ensure that the Red Cross are aware of the situation, and establish whether they have any additional needs.
3.3 Follow-on Actions
3.3.1 Diary. Keep brief diary of actions taken.
3.3.2 Contact Other Race Officials. Keep race officials informed of situation.
3.3.3 Keep Competitors Informed. Use PA system as and when information is available.
3.3.4 Review Impact on Racing. Consider the impact on the resumption of racing.
3.3.5 Await Advice of Emergency Services. Be prepared to cordon off marquee area after fire extinguished.