Special Event Training - 01
Community Emergency
Response Team
Dallas, TX
Module Purpose
To provide CERT
members with the
skills needed to
assist in special
events such as
marathons.
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
1
Module Objectives
● Review use of radios in a controlled
network
● Review basic crowd and traffic
management plus route management
● Review basic treatment for heat
exhaustion, heat stroke and shock
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
2
CERT Role in Crowd Management
● Direct flow of people
● Provide directions and
assistance
● Communicate with
team leaders and
chain of command
● Maintain orderly scene
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
3
CERT Role in Traffic Management
● Direct flow of traffic with hand signals and
traffic control devices
● Provide directions and assistance
● Communicate with team leaders and chain
of command
● Maintain orderly scene
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
4
A CERT Member’s Duty
● Wear gear that
identifies CERT,
bestows authority, and
provides visibility
● Make sure you do not
jeopardize:
 Your own safety
 Safety of others
 Credibility of CERT
Program
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
5
Personal Safety
● Dealing with traffic and crowds can be
challenging and dangerous
● Maintain personal safety by:
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Wearing correct attire
Behaving appropriately
Recognizing personal limits
Asking for assistance or relief
Backing away from dangerous situations
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
6
Management vs. Control
● CERT members manage traffic and
crowds
● CERT members do not control traffic or
crowds
Remember – you are working with
and for the people in a crowd or in
cars. Look them in the eye, be
respectful and courteous.
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
7
Demonstration
Hand Signals
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
8
Exercise
Practicing Hand Signals
Stop
Proceed
Go slow
Move to the right
Move to the left
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
9
Be Assertive
● You are the person in charge
 You must manage the operation to avoid
confusion and chaos
● Do not be intimidated
 Directing crowds and traffic relies on common
sense, good judgment, and good
communication
 With practice, traffic and crowd operations will
come naturally
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
10
Be Decisive
● People need direction
● Be clear and precise
● Do not be hesitant or indecisive about
what you want people to do
...
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
11
Be Courteous
● Remain calm and polite at all times
● Provide information quickly and concisely
● Keep crowds informed of changes
● Remain aware of your surroundings
● You represent the agency in charge and
the CERT Program
...
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
12
Radio Communication
Radio use in an event is next
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
13
Radio Communication
● Most traffic and crowd events require use
of radios
 Team members are spread out
 Team members may need to communicate
 To direct lost people or vehicles
 To summon backup
 In an emergency
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
14
Radio Communication
Setup
● Several things need to be decided up front:
 What frequency or channel to use
 What the backup frequency or channel is
 Agree upon tactical call signs – base them on:
 Functions to be performed
 Locations to be served
 Remind everyone to
Use radio calls sparingly
Maintain confidentiality
Do a radio check
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
15
Radio Communication Tips
● Know what you are going to say before you push
PTT (push-to-talk) button
● Hold PTT button down for at least 1 second
before speaking
● Talk across face of microphone
● Speak slowly, distinctly, and clearly
● Identify unit you are calling and then your unit
● Always acknowledge calls and instructions
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
16
Controlled radio net
Procedure
● Wait for a quiet space to transmit
● Say who you are calling, then say
“this is <your call sign>”
● Answer promptly
● Let control know if you’re going off the air
● You can interrupt in an emergency
● Avoid 10-codes and jargon
● If needed, say: “please repeat”
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
17
Controlled radio net
Procedure
● Team lead will say:
 Post 23, Post 24, Post 25, and Reserve – this
is Control
● Team member will respond:
 Control, this is Post 23 – etc.
● Keep is short and simple!
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
18
CROWDS
Crowd psychology is next
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
19
Crowd Psychology
● A crowd can assume a personality of its own
● “Herd” mentality may cause members of crowd
to follow each others’ actions
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
20
Safety Concerns
● Most crowds at planned events are law-abiding
and compliant
● Crowds are potentially dangerous
 Actions of one individual can shape dynamics of
entire crowd
 Anonymity increases odds of unacceptable behavior
 Once in action, crowd behavior is difficult to stop or
slow
● Marathon: starting corrals B & C tend to be anxious and
may overwhelm forward restraint – causing a crush
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
21
Behavior to Report
● Noncompliance
● Rumors
● Hostility
● Aggression
● Excitability
● Overcrowding
● Rushing
● Pushing
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
22
Dangerous Situations
● Unruly crowd
behavior may turn
into:
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Looting
Projectiles
Fighting
Trampling
Panics
Crazes
● Once crowd panic
and trampling begins,
it is uncontrollable
● Little can be done to
prevent death and
injury
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
23
Unruly Crowds
● CERT members should never deal with
unruly or out-of-control crowds
● CERT member actions
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Have a planned escape route
Recognize signs of an unruly crowd
Communicate up chain of command
Call for backup
Back away from situation
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
24
Crowd Management
● There is a hierarchy of who is in charge:
 Police
 Race organizers (those folks on the radio)
 CERT & other volunteers (who know the scene)
● Events can move fast, so size up the
workspace when you assume your post;
get to know any other volunteers assigned
and learn from them
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
25
Traffic Management
Traffic Management is next
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
26
Crowd & Route Management
Do you know how to set up these devices?
Make sure you know what they are being used for:
Crowd control? Route management? Vehicle control?
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
27
Cones & Barricades
● Situations may need to be tailored to the
situation:
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Unforseen traffic flows
Vehicle breakdowns
Potholes, loose manhole covers, drains
Crowd development
● Use barricades and cones to isolate
problems
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
28
CERT Role in Traffic Management
● Direct flow of traffic
● Provide safe passage for pedestrians
● Communicate and coordinate with team
members
● Monitor scene
● Report to chain of command
● Maintain personal and scene safety
● Bring a flashlight – Fall weather may provide
low visibility!
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
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Personal Safety
● Be highly visible
● Remain alert at all times
● Keep an eye out for impaired or out of
control vehicles
● Take a safe position
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
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Personal Safety (cont’d)
● Do not have unnecessary conversation
with workers, pedestrians, or drivers
● Once oncoming traffic stops, stay aware of
the traffic at your back
● Take breaks away from moving traffic
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
31
Keep Your Team Safe
● Remain alert for any situation that may
endanger your team members
● Keep team members aware of what is
going on around them
● Warn others of a changing situation and
impending hazards
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
32
Keep Your Team Safe (cont’d)
● Keep your chain of command aware of
changes in the situation
● Consult your chain of command if you
have questions
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
33
General Guidance at Intersections
● Stand where you can see all traffic; drivers
can see you
● Never turn your back to oncoming traffic
● Signal drivers in time to stop before
reaching crosswalk
● Clear intersection before allowing opposite
traffic to proceed
● Don’t let too many cars build up in any
direction
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
34
Intersection with One Person
Flagger
Incident
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
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Intersection with More Than One Person
Flagger
Flagger
Flagger
Flagger
Incident
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
36
Emergency Medical
Treatment of heat-related injuries is next
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
37
Heat-Related Injuries
● Heat cramps:
 Muscle spasms brought on by over-exertion in
extreme heat
● Heat exhaustion:
 Occurs when exercising or working in extreme heat
results in loss of body fluids
● Heat stroke:
 Victim’s temperature control system shuts down
 Body temperature rises so high that brain damage
and death may result
CERT Basic Training
Unit 4: Disaster Medical Operations – Part 2
4-38
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
● Cool, moist, pale or
flushed skin
● Heavy sweating
● Headache
● Nausea or vomiting
● Dizziness
● Exhaustion
CERT Basic Training
Unit 4: Disaster Medical Operations – Part 2
4-39
Symptoms of Heat Stroke
● Hot, red skin
● Lack of perspiration
● Changes in consciousness
● Rapid, weak pulse and rapid, shallow
breathing
CERT Basic Training
Unit 4: Disaster Medical Operations – Part 2
4-40
Treatment of Heat-Related Injuries
● Remove from heat to cool environment
● Cool body slowly
● Have the victim drink water, SLOWLY
● No food or drink if victim is experiencing
vomiting, cramping, or is losing
consciousness
● Contact EMS, SAG, or other appropriate
responder – via radio net if possible
CERT Basic Training
Unit 4: Disaster Medical Operations – Part 2
4-41
Treatment for Shock
● Keep warm (but not if overheated)
● Lay patients down
● Raise the feet
● MARATHON:
1. Radio for medical assistance (EMTs available)
2. Deal with dehydration/heat stroke/shock
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
42
Event Emergencies
● What are some of the emergencies that
could occur at an event?
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
43
Priorities in an emergency
1. Observe & Report
2. Manage the big picture
 Divert the course of the race
 Direct response efforts to needed locations
3. Respond as needed
 Triage & treat victims
 Preserve evidence
 Establish a perimeter
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
44
Questions?
● Remember:
 Gear up
 Do a radio plan
 Have a radio check
● Suggestions:
 Snacks
 Water – in moderation (may be no bathrooms)
 Sun blocker
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
45
EVENT SPECIFICS
● NEXT:
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The Marathon course
The Marathon, half marathon, & relay
The Corral loading system
What is the SAG team?
● AND:
 More to come
Assembly site
Parking area(s)
CERT Traffic and Crowd
Management
46