The Event Safety Podcast

Fall has arrived, which means the Event Safety Summit is right around the corner! In anticipation of this year's event, this episode of The Event Safety Podcast looks back at a few of the many presentations we've featured at the summit over the last ten years (!), including insights from Nathan Vassberg (NASA), Kevin Kloesel (University of Oklahoma), Eric Stuart (Gentian Events), and Betty Siegel (Kennedy Center). Sate your safety hunger with a taste of what's to come, and be sure to register for this year's event at http://eventsafetysummit.com.

In this episode of The Event Safety Podcast, Danielle and special guest co-host Kevin Kloesel welcome DTN Solution Engineer and Meteorologist Brad Nelson for a discussion about, as you guessed, weather, with a focus on extreme heat. They explore how heat has become the leading risk to live events, the lasting impacts of heat illness, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, OSHA's proposed heat rule, and why consulting a professional meteorologist is more important than ever.

Links: 

DTN

OSHA's Proposed Heat Rule

ANSI ES1.7-2001 Event Safety - Weather Preparedness

Virtual Weather Planning Workshop

Have you ever looked at a certificate of insurance and felt confused or overwhelmed by the details? Do you really know what that information means and how it protects you (or, worse, leaves you unprotected)?

In this episode of The Event Safety Podcast, Hub International Vice President of Marketing Sue McGuirl joins Danielle and special guest co-host John Badcock for an in-depth look at insurance certificates. Discussion includes the purpose of a COI, how to interpret its contents, red flags to look out for, special considerations, and more.

Notes:

Certificate of Insurance Samples (ZIP File)
 

Independence Day is fast approaching, which means it's the perfect time to talk about pyro! In this episode of The Event Safety Podcast, Danielle Hernandez and special guest co-host Siobhan Colleen sit down with Pyrotek Special Effects Product and Technical Support and Safety Manager Brian Panther for a conversation about pyrotechnics safety. Discussion topics include planning, permitting, standards, transportation, restrictions, and much, much more.

Notes:

Effects of Recoil Forces from Large-Scale Pyrotechnics on Entertainment Structures (Protocol, Fall 2020)  

NFPA 1123 - Code for Fireworks Display

NFPA 1126 - Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics Before a Proximate Audience

NFPA 160 - Standard for the Use of Flame Effects Before an Audience

It's that time of year again...commencement season! In this episode of The Event Safety Podcast, Danielle is joined by Becca Wilusz (Duke University) and Joey Doster (PNC Arena) for a look at what goes into planning university and high school commencement ceremonies. Discussion includes unique demographic challenges, transportation planning, policy enforcement, communications, show-stop procedures, and preparing for high-profile (and sometimes controversial) speakers.  

In this episode of The Event Safety Podcast, Danielle welcomes a trio of crowd management experts from the United Kingdom Crowd Management Association (UKCMA) for a conversation about crowd safety in smaller venues - Anne Marie Chebib (Select Security & Stewarding Ltd), Eric Stuart (Gentian Events Ltd), and Tom Devine (TMS Protection). Discussion includes the development and philosophy behind the UKCMA’s new “Safer Crowds, Safer Venues” document, why “service' is the primary function in crowd management, planning tools and considerations, and more. 

In this episode of The Event Safety Podcast, Danielle welcomes back ESA board member Bryan Huneycutt for a recap of this year's USITT Conference in Seattle. They discuss key takeaways from this year's event, presentation highlights, current safety & health commission initiatives, and more. 

In this episode of The Event Safety Podcast, Danielle and Steve are joined by ESA board member Bryan Huneycutt for a discussion of key insights from Steve's recent participation at SERMAnar in Colorado Springs, which focused on processes related to active assailant events. We delve into his experience with a fresh approach to active shooter training, the limitations of the run/hide/fight strategy in event scenarios, the distinction between planned and unplanned attacks, and the importance of prioritizing evacuation planning in every active shooter response plan.

Note: This episode contains discussion of violence and may not be appropriate for all listeners.

Staging intimacy on stage and screen requires a delicate balance between artistic vision and actor well-being. In this episode of The Event Safety Podcast, Danielle and Steve sit down with Laura Rikard, CEO of Theatrical Intimacy Education, a consulting group specializing in researching, developing, and teaching best practices for staging theatrical intimacy. They discuss what an intimacy coordinator/choreographer does, the profession's origins, its five guiding principles, the issue with the term "safe space," managing boundary issues, and more.

This episode contains adult themes and may not be suitable for younger listeners. 

Links:

Laura Rikard Bio
Theatrical Intimacy Education
Staging Sex: Best Practices, Tools, and Techniques for Theatrical Intimacy

"Don't write a Kobayashi Maru"

In the latest episode of The Event Safety Podcast, we welcome back the amazing Emma Parkinson for a deep dive into the topic of tabletop exercises. We look at what they are (and aren't), who should be included, how to develop one for your organization, common traps that undermine their effectiveness, and so much more. If you know Emma, you KNOW you're in for an experience, so grab those notepads and get listening.

This episode is brought to you by PRG. Thank you for your continued support of ESA!