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Western Michigan University Athletics

Severe Weather Procedures

WALDO STADIUM
SEVERE WEATHER PROCEDURES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
  1. Football Game Operations is located in the Waldo Stadium Press Box on the south side of the stadium off of Oliver Street and parking lot #10. For emergency purposes, the phone line to game operations is (269) 387-8005. Game Operations is staffed by the WMU Department of Public Safety Event Supervisor, the designated Event Supervisor for the WMU Athletic Department, and the Stadium Public Address Announcer. The WMU DPS Event Supervisor and the Athletic Department Event Supervisor shall review the weather forecast for football game days and discuss possible courses of action in cases of severe weather.
  2. If severe weather is a possibility, Game Operations is responsible for monitoring doppler radar provided by the National Weather Service at www.weather.com. A computer shall be placed in Game Operations specifically for this purpose. WWMT may also be contacted at (269)388-9339 ext. 4330 for specifics on storm path, severity, and estimated times.
  3. In the event a lightning producing/severe thunderstorm or tornado watch is issued, Game Operations shall make a determination based on need to:
    1. Notify on-duty police personnel.
    2. Notify stadium managers.
    3. Notify the public address system to make the requested announcement.
    4. Have the weather announcement flashed across the stadium vision screen.
    5. Monitor the progress of the storm.
  4. In the event a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued, Game Operations shall:
    1. Notify on-duty police personnel.
    2. Notify stadium managers.
    3. Notify the public address system to make the requested announcement.
    4. Have police dispatch activate the tornado warning system in the event of a tornado warning only.
    5. Instruct on-field personnel of the situation and to take appropriate action.
  5. The following announcements are to be used only upon the request of Game Operations and shall be read immediately.

    Lightning Announcement:
    “A storm that is producing sky to ground lightning appears to be moving toward Waldo Stadium. The seating area is unsafe if lightning develops, and the stadium does not have a public shelter. Please use your personal discretion in your continued attendance at this event.”

    Note: if the lightning device, weather radar, or other resources indicate that lightning is developing near Waldo Stadium, the following announcement is made:  “A storm that is producing sky to ground lightning has been detected and appears to be moving toward Waldo Stadium. The seating area is unsafe, and the stadium does not have a public shelter. Please exit the stadium immediately.”

    Thunderstorm Watch Announcement:
    “The National Weather Service has issued a thunderstorm watch for an area that includes Waldo Stadium. The Department of Public Safety is monitoring the situation, and you will be informed of any approaching dangerous storms. The seating area is unsafe if a thunderstorm develops, and the stadium does not have a public tornado shelter. Please use your personal discretion in your continued attendance at this event.”

    Severe Thunderstorm Warning:
    “The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area that includes Waldo Stadium. The seating area is unsafe, and the stadium does not have a public tornado shelter. Please exit the stadium immediately.”

    Tornado Watch Announcement:
    “The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for an area that includes Waldo Stadium. The seating area is unsafe, and the stadium does not have a public tornado shelter. Please use your personal discretion in your continued attendance at this event.”

    Tornado Warning:
    “The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for the area that includes Waldo Stadium. The seating area is unsafe, and the stadium does not have a public tornado shelter. Please exit the stadium immediately.”
     
  6. On-field procedures concerning team personnel and officials are governed by NCAA policies. The On-field Game Operations Commander will communicate to the Head Official information regarding emergency situations. The Head Official then makes the determination on a course of action.