Schedule time with your venue manager to learn the building and the room in which your event will take place.
Ask to see emergency exits and walk to the areas to which guests would be directed.
Discuss emergencies that would require the building to be vacated, such as fire or bomb threats, as well as situations like weather emergencies that would require everyone to remain inside.
Share the Information
As the planner, it is important for you to know all of these details, but you may be too busy handling the actual emergency to assist guests.
Train your staff and volunteers on emergency procedures so they can assist guests during an emergency situation.
The more people you have helping, the better you can handle the emergency and still take excellent care of your guests.
Use Your Resources
Georgia Tech has safety resources, such as the Georgia Tech Police Department and the Environmental Health & Safety Department, that you can tap into for guidance.
The Georgia Tech Police Department can advise planners during all phases of event planning. For all events on campus (or large off-campus events), complete the Request for Special Event Security form to start a conversation with Sergeant Archie Hill about how to improve your event safety.
Environmental Health & Safety provides guidance for maintaining a safe environment for your guests both indoors and outdoors. When planning outdoor or large events, you should reach out to Fire Marshal Larry Labbe for direction on best practices. Refer to the Environmental Health & Safety website for information on services and how they can help with your next event.
All tent setups and most stage setups must be approved by the fire marshal. Register your event to alert Environmental Health & Safety about your event and start the review process.
