ESA matters...
Live On the Green, 2017
By Trey Merritt, Crew Chief, Elite Multimedia
I am crew chief for Elite Multimedia , an
audio, lighting, and video production company in Nashville,
Tennessee. We provide audio and video services for Live at
the Green, a month-long free outdoor concert series held in
the city’s Public Square Park. The day prior to kicking off the
series’ closing weekend on August 31st, I was approached
by the client and production manager concerning our plan
to respond to approaching storms resulting from Hurricane
Harvey. As a long-time member of the ESA I have studied
Emergency Action Plans and have outlined a standard course
of action in the event of hazardous conditions.
For this particular event, allowable wind speeds for both my
video walls are provided by [engineering firm] Clark Reder,
with wind ratings for the stage provided by the provider. At
wind speeds of +20 MPH crews are notified to stand by for
dropping and securing video walls. At wind speeds of +30
MPH both video walls and audio hang are to be flown in.
Lightning is monitored, with all crew chiefs placed on stand-
by to clear the deck and any metal structures once lightning
breaches a 25 mile perimeter. When lightning is detected
within 10 miles all areas are cleared until the threat passes.
The client has meteorologist on staff to monitor conditions,
along with an active lightning detection system on site and
two independent anemometers on site.
On event day, weather was overcast with severe storms ex-
pected later in the afternoon. At 3:30 pm we receive our
first lightning alert on Weather Scope, roughly 40 miles out.
Cloud cover and wind speed increased around 4:00 pm.
While our pre-established wind speed thresholds had not
been met, we preemptively flew in and secured the video
walls before the rain hit. No need to get wet unnecessarily.
The first bands of heavy rain started around 5:00 PM, al-
though no lightning was detected and winds were still well
below threshold. However, at approximately 5:15 PM Detec-
tor alerted the crew chiefs to clear the deck. Everyone went
to catering and watched as over 1” of rain fell in 15 minutes.
The area in front of stage rapidly turned into a lake, and Front
of House became an island.
The rain let up at 5:30 PM, and I went to the director’s tent at
stage left to power down. I walked in to discover both cam-
era cases floating in 3” water. Deck crew headed to stage to
survey situation while I radioed the Production Manager to
discuss pulling video. Before he could respond tornado si-
rens sounded throughout the site. The crew and around 100
dedicated audience members were instructed to evacuate
to an underground parking area. Within 10 minutes all per-
sonnel, artist, crew, vendors and patrons were below ground
and sheltered.
Making the best of an unfortunate situation, the kick off act
pulled out guitars and performed an impromptu set as we
huddled together waiting for the “all clear” to sound. The
show was eventually called at 6:15 PM, while tornado sirens
continued to sound in various parts of Nashville. By 7:15 PM
the area was secured for the evening and patrons and vari-
ous departments were allowed to clear.
By all accounts it was a textbook example of how to execute
an Emergency Action Plan. At all phases of plan implemen-
tation each and every department performed as outlined,
without hesitation. Damage was minimal - one fence blown
over, two powered speakers with blown fuses, one lighting
fixture damaged, and two video reclock boxes requiring
replacement. Most importantly, no one was injured. While
not an situation I’d welcome again, it proves the value of the
Event Safety Alliance and the organization’s focus on contin-
gency planning.
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