Officials of the Nebraska State Fair continue to improve procedures for fairgoer safety.
One way in particular is a partnership with Grand Island/Hall County Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, and safety providers Midwest Medical Transport, Nebraska State Patrol, Grand Island Police and Fire, Double Locked Security, among others.
According to state fair executive director, Joseph McDermott, “2014 was the first year in many that weather was such a factor with rain seven out of 11 days, and the potential for severe weather. We’ve been fortunate that we haven’t had weather events like other State Fairs, where there has been storms that have resulted in loss of life and property.”
Jon Rosenlund, director of emergency management for Grand Island and Hall County says, “We plan to have an Emergency Operations Center on the fairgrounds each of the 11 days of the State Fair. With a direct line to the National Weather Service, and a meteorologist on site if needed, we’ll be able to monitor the potential for hazardous weather and inform the fair going public of a potential weather threat so that they can respond accordingly.”
“There’s no question that weather has a daily impact on the Nebraska State Fair,” according to Michael Moritz, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hastings, “Certainly severe weather is possible during the State Fair, but fair guests are also impacted from heat, humidity, high wind and of course rain. Heavy rain can impact a visit and can create soupy parking lots like we saw in 2014.”
“All supporting groups and agencies meet before the fair begins to outline weather expectations and those same groups meet daily, during the fair, to stay abreast of any anticipated changes in weather or any other safety concerns for fair guests,” Rosenlund said.
“In addition to weather preparedness, the Nebraska State Fair has also taken steps to better inform fairgoers if there’s an emergency,” McDermott said, “We have completed grounds wide speaker systems in the East Entertainment Area and the Family Fun Zone so that any type of emergency announcement can be made. This includes weather related information, lost parents or children, or other information deemed appropriate that may require a fairgoer response.”
The Nebraska State Fair is also adding emergency signage to the sides and backs of the livestock facilities so that emergency responders can better locate fairgoers who require medical help. The signs, bright yellow with black letters, will allow those calling for medical assistance to pinpoint their location.
“Our 911 dispatchers would often hear of a medical emergency behind the “red barn” which in the case of the facilities at the state fair, could be anywhere. These new signs will alleviate a lot of confusion when reporting and locating individuals who need medical attention,” Rosenlund says.