Event Safety Insights Issue One | Fall 2016 | Page 28

(maps, etc.) on what protective measures will be
taken if the lightning threat materializes.
2. During the event, notify attendees of any imminent threat, and issue specific directions on
taking protective action.
3. After any lightning delay, issue an “all clear”
notice when it is safe to leave the lightning-safe
structure or return to the event location.

and initiate protective measures for the staff
and attendees upon recommendation from the
weather officer or professional meteorologist
or service. Complete evacuation from the event
area should be considered if there are no lightning-safe structures available for everyone, or if
the official-in-charge determines that a restart
of the event will not be possible. Outdoor activity can resume after 30 minutes of lightning-free
conditions within the 8-mile radius.

ITEM 8: Provide lightning safety and first
aid training for all staff.

Consider handing out lightning safety brochures
or information sheets at the beginning of a season
and/or at the day of an event, and make heavy
use of social media to announce the threat. Signs
alone cannot satisfy the public notification recommendations, but they can supplement your
plan. When lightning is forecast for the day of
the event, the weather officer and command staff
should use any or all means to communicate the
possibility of threatening weather to the attendees, and the safety precautions that will take place
if needed. Methods of dissemination may include
pre-written or pre-recorded public address announcements, video board messages, venue TV
monitors, social media, text alerts, and maps to
shelters, etc.

ITEM 7: Designate an official-in-charge
decision maker with the responsibility for
postponing/canceling an event due to
lightning.
A Lightning Safety Plan must include a Chain of
Command. The Chain of Command should list
all command staff personnel with decision-making authority to initiate lightning evacuation procedures. The command staff official-in-charge
of the lightning decision will suspend the event
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Educate the staff so they know the lightning safety rules and are comfortable with all aspects of
the written Lightning Safety Plan. All staff should
understand the Lightning Safety Plan before an
event begins. Review the lightning procedures
and rehearse if necessary. In addition, the following supplemental information may help alleviate misconceptions or misinformation regarding
lightning and lightning safety:
• NWS Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are not issued based on lightning. All thunderstorms produce lightning and are potentially deadly. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch or a Tornado Watch is
issued when conditions are favorable for the development of severe storms (wind gusts in excess
of 58 mph, quarter-size hail or larger, or tornadoes). A Severe Thunderstorm Warning or Tornado Warning is issued when these specific weather
criteria have been detected or may be imminent.
There is no NWS warning for lightning.
• Most victims survive a lightning strike; however
medical attention is needed immediately. Have
someone call 911 (or whatever the emergency
number is where you are). Victims do not carry
an electrical charge and can be touched. In many
cases, the victim’s heart or breathing may stop and
rescue breathing or CPR may be needed. Monitor the victim until medical help arrives; heart and
respiratory problems could persist, or the victim
could go into shock. If possible, move the victim
to a safer place away from the threat of another
lightning strike. Work diligently to limit the exposure of first responders to additional lightning
strikes.