HEAT PLAN

The following plan has been developed for response to heat conditions that can have the potential to impact a major event at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark.   

Pre-Event Weather Monitoring

Weather conditions will be monitored the week leading up to the event, providing event management with details as to potential weather issues that may impact conference operations. Weather information will be provided via the NWS.  

A heat advisory is issued by the National Weather Service when the heat index will reach 105 degrees F or more OR the air temperature is expected to reach between 100-105 degrees F. 

Excessive heat warning is issued when the heat index will reach 110 degrees F or more or the air temperature is to be greater than 105 degrees F. 

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Activation of Heat Plan

The Heat Plan will be preemptively activated two days prior to the event week when temperatures of 90 degrees F or greater are forecasted for the day of the event. The plan can be de-activated at any time should conditions change.

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FIRE EMERGENCY

Fire emergencies that will immediately threaten the safety for patrons and staff are unlikely in an open venue like Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark but are possible and we must have standard procedures for reporting and mitigating these emergencies. When fire or heavy smoke is detected, the following are procedures to protect the public and notification for fire personnel:

• Leave the area and close doors if inside a structure.

• Alert others to move away from the area.

• Ensure Sloss staff and public safety personnel are notified.

• Follow the direction of City of Birmingham Fire Department personnel.

• Do Not Reenter any buildings involved in the fire emergency until the fire service says it's safe to do so.

A SMS text announcement will be made to alert patrons that there is an emergency evacuation. This announcement may read as follows:

SLOSS FURNACES NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK IS EXPERIENCING SOME DIFFICULTIES. WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE THE SITUATION. PLEASE REMAIN IN DESIGNATED AREAS AS IDENTIFIED BY STAFF AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL. WE WILL UPDATE YOU ON THE SITUATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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WATER EMERGENCIES

Water emergencies are unlikely to occur at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, but can happen if the public is around the Spray Pond area. If any water emergency occurs, notify public safety personnel so that the proper resources can be deployed.

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MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

If medical attention is needed, please call 911 to request assistance. If unable to call, direct all request for assistance to Sloss Staff or public safety officials (police, fire, and EMS). Sloss Staff and/or public safety personnel will be present throughout the venue. If Sloss staff or public safety personnel cannot be immediately located, but other support personnel are available, ask them to request assistance.

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LOST CHILD

Parents or designated responsible adults should advise children to seek a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or medical personnel if they are lost or become separated. Parents or a designated responsible adult may report their lost child to Sloss staff and/or public safety personnel, or by dialing 911. It is important to provide a description (clothing, age, last known location, etc.). A parent or responsible adult will be escorted to the Visitor Center and will remain there until the child is located. The located child will be returned to the parent or responsible adult at the Visitor Center.

Request for assistance may be provided through an electronic SMS text announcement. 

When a child is located and reunited, a follow-up announcement may be provided through the electronic notification system.

Parents will be encouraged to carry a photograph or have an electronic picture of their children. Parents may also want to have a plan which include the following:

• Photograph their children with a cell phone before the event.

• Place their contact information in their children's pocket.

• Have a designated meeting location should they become separated.

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SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR/PACKAGE

"SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING"

Unusual or suspicious activity does not necessarily mean that terrorist activity is happening, but be aware of the following suspicious behaviors:

• Unusual items or situations: A vehicle is parked in an odd location, a package/luggage is unattended, a window/door is open that is usually closed, or other out-of-the-ordinary situations occur.

• Eliciting information: A person questions individuals at a level beyond curiosity about a building's purpose, operations, security procedures and/or personnel, shift changes, etc.

• Observation/surveillance: Someone pays unusual attention to facilities or buildings beyond a casual or professional interest. This includes extended loitering without explanation (particularly in concealed locations); unusual, repeated, and/or prolonged observation of a building (e.g., with binoculars or video camera); taking notes or measurements; counting paces; sketching floor plans, etc.

What to Do If You Spot Suspicious Activity and/or Suspicious Package

If you see suspicious behavior, do not confront the individuals involved.

Take note of the details:

• Size (Write down the number of people, gender, ages, and physical descriptions) 

• Activity (Describe exactly what they are doing)

• Location (Provide exact location)

• Uniform (Describe what they are wearing, including shoes) Time (Provide date, time, and duration of activity) 

During the event notify the nearest public safety official of a suspicious package or person.

In severe circumstances and when no public safety official can be located, call 911 and report what you suspect immediately.

Note: Public safety personnel will pursue an appropriate response based on the circumstances.

 

If you receive or discover a suspicious letter or package:

• Do not touch, tamper with, or move it.

• During the event notify the nearest public safety official of a suspicious package or person.

• In severe circumstances and when no public safety official can be located, call 911 and report what you suspect immediately.

• Notify Sloss Staff of what you suspect.

• DO NOT open or shake it.

• DO NOT carry or show to others.

• DO NOT bring it to the Police Department.

• DO alert others in the area.

• Leave the area, close doors and prevent others from entering by using signs or guarding.

NOTE: Distance and separation are the safest precautions to take.

NOTE: Public safety personnel will determine if evacuation or other action is necessary.

 

BOMB THREATS

When handling an incident involving a bomb threat or suspected explosive device, the following guidelines, while not all inclusive, should be followed:

• No known or suspected explosive item should be considered safe regardless of its size or apparent packaging.

• The device should not be touched or moved except by the bomb squad or military explosive ordnance disposal team.

• Personnel should not transmit on any equipment that is capable of producing radio frequency energy within the evacuation area around the suspected device. This includes:

  • Two-way radios.

  • Cell phones.

  • Other personal communication devices.

• The appropriate bomb squad or military explosive ordnance disposal team should be summoned for assistance at the determination of Public Safety Officials and Sloss Staff.

• The largest perimeter reasonably possible should initially be established around the device based upon available personnel and the anticipated danger zone.

• A safe access route should be provided for support personnel and equipment.

• Search the area for secondary devices as appropriate and based upon available resources.

• Consider evacuation of buildings and personnel near the device or inside the danger zone and the safest exit route.

• Promptly relay available information to Public Safety Officials and Sloss Staff including:

  • The time of discovery.

  • The exact location of the device.

  • A full description of the device (e.g., size, shape, markings, construction).

  • The anticipated danger zone and perimeter.

  • The areas to be evacuated or cleared.

If an explosive device or suspected explosive device is located, the appropriate bomb squad will determine the rendering safe procedures. The bomb squad will inform Sloss Staff, who will inform the responsible party of the location.

NOTE: Search should not stop if a suspicious object is located. This may be a decoy, and there may be secondary devices. Only after the entire facility is cleared, will any alert be lifted.

BOMB SQUAD WILL GIVE THE ALL CLEAR

Public safety personnel will pursue an appropriate response based on the circumstance and will determine if evacuation or other action is necessary.

Explosion/Bombing Incidents

When an explosion has occurred, there are multitudes of considerations which may confront the responding officers. As in other catastrophic events, a rapid response may help to minimize injury to victims, contamination of the scene by gathering crowds, or any additional damage from fires or unstable structures.

Officers responding to explosions, whether accidental or a criminal act, should consider the following actions:

• Assess the scope of the incident, including the number of victims and extent of injuries.

• Request additional personnel and resources, as appropriate.

• Assist with first aid.

• Identify and take appropriate precautions to mitigate scene hazards, such as collapsed structures, bloodborne pathogens and hazardous materials.

• Assist with the safe evacuation of victims, if possible.

• Establish an inner perimeter to include entry points and evacuation routes. Search for additional or secondary devices.

• Preserve evidence.

• Establish an outer perimeter and evacuate if necessary.

• Identify witnesses.

Notifications

When an explosion has occurred, the following people should be notified as appropriate:

• Fire department

• Bomb squad

• Additional department personnel, such as investigators and Evidence Technicians

• Sloss Staff

• Other law enforcement agencies, including local, state or federal agencies, such as the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

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Crowd Control

Only authorized members with a legitimate need should be permitted access to the scene. Spectators and other unauthorized individuals should be restricted to a safe distance as is reasonably practicable given the available resources and personnel.

Preservation of Evidence

As in any other crime scene, steps should immediately be taken to preserve the scene. Public safety officials and Sloss Staff should assign officers to protect the crime scene area, which could extend over a long distance. Consideration should be given to the fact that evidence may be embedded in nearby structures or hanging in trees and bushes.

ACTIVE THREAT

When dealing with a crisis situation, members should:

• Assess the immediate situation and take reasonable steps to maintain operative control of the incident.

• Obtain, explore and analyze sources of intelligence and known information regarding the circumstances, location and suspect involved in the incident.

• Attempt to attain a tactical advantage over the suspect by reducing, preventing or eliminating any known or perceived threat.

• Form an emergency contact team, if necessary.

• Isolate, distract, or neutralize the threat.

• Provide immediate medical care

• Rapid casualty evacuation (formation of Rescue Task Forces; LE, fire, EMS)

Officers are encouraged to keep in mind the proper use of cover and concealment while carrying out their assignments in these situations.

First Response

If there is a reasonable belief that acts or threats by a suspect are placing lives in imminent danger, first responding officers should consider reasonable options to reduce, prevent or eliminate the threat. Officers must decide, often under a multitude of difficult and rapidly evolving circumstances, whether to advance on the suspect, take other actions to deal with the threat or wait for additional resources.

If a suspect is actively engaged in the infliction of serious bodily harm or other life-threatening activity toward others, officers shall take immediate action, if reasonably practicable, while requesting additional assistance.

Officers should remain aware of the possibility that an incident may be part of a coordinated multi-location attack that may require some capacity to respond to incidents at other locations.

When deciding on a course of action officers should consider:

• Whether to advance on or engage a suspect who is still a possible or perceived threat to others. Any advancement or engagement should be based on information known or received at the time.

• Whether to wait for additional resources or personnel. This does not preclude an individual officer from taking immediate action.

• Whether individuals who are under imminent threat can be moved or evacuated with reasonable safety.

• Whether the suspect can be contained or denied access to victims.

• Whether the officers have the ability to effectively communicate with other personnel or resources.

• Whether planned tactics can be effectively deployed.

• The availability of rifles, shotguns, shields, breaching tools, control devices and any other appropriate tools, and whether the deployment of these tools will provide a tactical advantage.

In the absence of hostages, and with no immediate threat to others, officers should follow barricade policy and procedure (see the Hostage and Barricade Incidents Policy).

Public Notifications

During the initial phases of a rapid response and deployment incident, Sloss Staff will notify the public of the threat as soon as practicable to prevent further casualties and to inform the public where they may obtain additional information.