Concert Safety Corps

Concert Safety Corps

Western Illinois University

Policy and Procedures Manual

Advisors

Terry Mors - Professor

Ken Durkin - Professor

Dan Leezer - Instructor

Executive Board

Trent Ross – President

Algirdas Sindaravicius – Vice President

Joel Clausing – Training Officer

Ryan Blaskey – Training Officer

Joseph Parker – Lead Supervisor

Jeffrey Riggs – Lead Supervisor

Eighth Edition

September 2011

Table of Contents

Section 1: Introduction 4

Section 2: Purpose of Concert Safety Corps 4

Section 3: The Role of Concert Safety Corps 4

Section 4: Internal Rules and Procedures 5

Criteria for Concert Safety Corps Representatives 5

Disciplinary Procedures 6

Certification Requirement 7

Outside Activities 7

Section 5: Description of other Involved Organizations 7

Office of Public Safety (OPS) 7

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) 8

Macomb Fire Marshall 8

Section 6: Table of Organization of Concert Safety Corps 8

President of Concert Safety Corps 8

Vice President of Concert Safety Corps 9

Training Officer of Concert Safety Corps 9

Lead Supervisor 9

Concert Safety Corps Associates (Volunteers) 10

Section 7: Operational Procedures 12

Contact of Representatives 12

Pre-Event Briefing 13

Pre-Event Safety Check 13

Procedures during the Event 14

Post-Event Procedures 14

Section 8: Western Hall Policies 14

No Smoking Policy 14

Procedure: 14

Rationale: 15

Bottle/Alcohol Policy 15

Procedure: 15

Rationale: 15

Re-entry Policy 15

Rationale: 16

Aisle Policy 16

Procedures: 16

Rationale: 16

Stage Area Policy 16

Rationale: 17

Closed Bleacher Policy 17

Rationale: 17

Physical Abuse Against CSC Representatives or Other Individuals Policy 17

Rationale: 17

Confrontations between Audience Members Policy 18

Rationale: 18

Fire Extinguishers 18

Expulsion from the Venue Policy 18

Procedure: 18

Rationale: 18

Section 9: Evacuation of Western Hall 18

Procedure: 18

Section 10: Backstage Passes 19

Section 11: First Aid Situations 20

Section 12: Concert Safety Corps Funds 20

Section 13: WIU Required Policies 20

Section 14: Organizational Chart of CSC 22

Section 15: Member Agreement Form 23

Section 1: Introduction

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The purpose of this handbook is to provide Concert Safety Corps representatives with a manual outlining rules, regulations, and procedures in a tangible, hands-on format. This manual is by no means meant to provide an answer for every situation. Situations and procedures are frequently changed during the night of a show, and the Concert Safety Corps representatives must be able to adjust and deal with varied situations as they arise. Flexibility is an important attribute of Western Illinois University Concert Safety Corps representatives.

Section 2: Purpose of Concert Safety Corps

The Western Illinois University (WIU) Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) Concert Safety Corps (CSC) was initially formed in 1977 by Lambda Alpha Epsilon (LAE) to provide a source of income for their organization.

CSC was created to be used as an alternative to uniformed police officers in enforcing rules and regulations during concerts at Western Hall. A trained student group would be utilized to act as a buffer between the audience, the University, University Union Board (UUB), University Bureau of Cultural Affairs (BCA), and the Office of Public Safety (OPS). The idea was that the use of LEJA students to enforce the rules during an event would provide an environment more enjoyable and less threatening for student patrons.

Through the years Concert Safety Corps became an integral part of the concert performance and dance system at Western Illinois University. The services of CSC were utilized to make each performance safer and more enjoyable for both the audience and performers. For more than 30 years, Concert Safety Corps members have achieved valuable experience in reacting to numerous situations and events.

The experience obtained through CSC activities helps prepare LEJA majors for the realities and responsibilities of the criminal justice field. Additionally, the existence of the Concert Safety Corps enables the LEJA Department to offer its students/majors another opportunity for a complete and well-rounded educational experience.

Section 3: The Role of Concert Safety Corps

The roles that Concert Safety Corps plays at any event are wide and varied. However, CSC has regularly provided the following eight duties. Those duties include but are not limited to the following:

1. Securing entrances and exits,

2. Monitoring entry points and prohibiting entry of alcohol, all bottles and cans, and any other prohibited items (such as cameras, cell phone cameras, lasers, or recording devices) at the door,

3. Maintaining clear aisles during performances,

4. Controlling or limiting access to areas under control of the Performing Arts Coordinator, BCA, or UUB that are not open to the general public, including backstage areas and areas covered under the provisions of the event contract as agreed upon by the Scheduling Committee,

5. Identifying violations of “No Smoking” restrictions in all areas,

6. Dealing with first aid situations (in conjunction with EMS/MDH, when they are present), provide crowd control,

7. Dealing with behavior problems or disruptive conduct, and

8. Other related duties as identified by the Performing Arts Coordinator, his or her representative, BCA, BSA, or UUB, and the CSC Advisor(s).

During the course of performing the above stated duties, it is of utmost importance that each CSC representative keeps in mind that she or he has no police authority to detain or arrest any individual. Each CSC representative’s arrest power is no greater than that of an ordinary citizen. If an arrest situation should ever arise, the CSC representative is advised to immediately contact an OPS Officer to deal with the situation.

While executing the above responsibilities, it is important that the CSC representative treat the audience with the greatest respect. This will assist in the successful handling of any situation and the overall image of CSC.

Section 4: Internal Rules and Procedures

Criteria for Concert Safety Corps Representatives

·  The Concert Safety Corps representative must be a pre-LEJA major or declared LEJA major, maintaining at least a minimum overall GPA of 2.25. LEJA graduate students are eligible to participate in CSC activities.

·  The CSC representative must attend all training sessions (legitimate excuses will be accepted and should be directed to the Training Officer in a timely manner).

·  The assigned CSC representative must report as scheduled to CSC events, unless prior arrangements have been made. If the CSC representative is unable to report for his/her shift, s/he is responsible for notifying the Vice President of Administration, the OIC of the event, and s/he should assist in finding another CSC representative to cover the assignment.

·  The CSC representative is expected to arrive to scheduled events prepared to carry out his/her assigned duties. The representative should have a pen, paper, watch, and flashlight (as needed). Representatives are encouraged to have a cell phone, but it should be set to vibrate and should only be used for emergency situations (other usage during event times could result in disciplinary action).

·  The CSC representative must perform all assigned duties, as explained by contract or appropriate supervisor.

·  The CSC representative is expected to present themselves as a professional in his/her speech, actions, and attire.

  The uniform is blue jeans or khaki pants unless otherwise specified for events. These pants will have no holes, rips, tears, etc. If it is specified that shorts are allowed, the pants legs must be at least knee length.

  All shirts are to be tucked in at the waist.

  Belts are recommended and belt buckles must be plain in design.

  Hats are only allowed for outdoor events. Acceptable headwear includes the CSC ball cap or beanie, or other official WIU headwear.

  Earrings will not be allowed for males. For safety reasons females are not to wear hoop earrings or other large earrings. All other visible piercings must be removed while working a CSC event.

  For safety reasons necklaces should not be worn.

  CSC representatives are PROHIBITED from carrying any weapons, including knives, mace, or other lethal items.

  The CSC representative is required to read and be responsible for information presented in this handbook. The CSC representative must sign the member agreement form.

Disciplinary Procedures

Any flagrant violation of procedures or responsibilities during an event on the part of a CSC representative will be grounds for immediate expulsion from the venue and the organization by the CSC president, vice president, or advisor.

Write-Up Policy

A CSC representative may receive a write up for any of the following situations:

·  Failure to carry out assigned duty (i.e., Not show up for an event);

·  Unexcused absence unless otherwise approved by E-Board (Manual protocol);

·  Failure to attend mandatory training;

·  Failure to follow instructions of the Officer in Charge, unless otherwise noted by Manual protocol and the actions were justified in order to aid the safety of an event or person(s),

·  Any form of disorderly conduct during an event;

·  Improperly representing CSC at an unsanctioned event, including verbal communication/representation and/or the wearing of CSC apparel (i.e., hat, shirt, logo);

·  Failure to follow CSC Manual protocol and/or specified event instructions provided either via e-mail to the CSC representative’s official WIU e-mail address or verbally at the event location; .

Write-ups will be executed by the Executive Board, after a meeting has been conducted, in order to address the situation at hand. The CSC representative receiving the write-up will be notified and the issue(s) will be explained and discussed. Repeated write-ups (violations) will result in the CSC representative being placed on a probationary status. The duration and extent of the probationary status will be determined by the Executive Board through consultation with the advisor. The CSC representative will receive remedial assistance and failure to comply will result in termination from CSC.

Any representative sanctioned under the above provisions will have the right to appeal to a committee consisting of the Concert Safety Corps President, Vice President, Advisor(s), Supervisor, and a CSC Associate. The CSC Associate may be selected by the CSC representative being sanctioned.

Certification Requirement

There are certain training requirements that must be met in order to become and remain a Concert Safety Corps representative. Those requirements include:

• CSC representatives are required to attend and successfully complete a minimum of one basic training session. At least one training session will be held at the beginning of each semester.

• CSC representatives are encouraged, but not mandated, to attend additional training sessions including, but not limited to, CPR training, fire safety, and emergency evacuation training. Attendance records will be provided to the president for appropriate verification. .

Outside Activities

Occasionally, the representatives of CSC are called upon as a group to perform some activity other than that stated within its contract (e.g., County Holiday, Macomb Balloon Rally). The Advisors, President, and Vice President of CSC will jointly decide if CSC will participate in the activity. If the activity meets their approval, individual representatives must then decide whether or not they wish to participate in the activity. All non-contract activities will be handled on a volunteer basis.

Section 5: Description of other Involved Organizations

This portion of the handbook will familiarize CSC representatives with the different organizations they may be in contact with during an event (event sponsors could include the Bureau of Cultural Affairs - BCA, University Union Board - UUB, or the College of Fine Arts - School of Music).

Office of Public Safety (OPS)

· Assure compliance with alcohol, contraband, fire safety, and smoking regulations;

· Provide money escorts;

· Maintain dressing room, stage, and performers’ security;

· Arrest or remove patrons from the hall, when necessary;

· Observe CSC behavior and assist when necessary;

· Act in emergency situations; and

· Provide first aid care when necessary.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)

· Provide first aid in medical emergencies during events

Macomb Fire Marshall

· The Fire Marshall enforces the fire regulations of the state and city.

· The Fire Marshall declares if an event needs to be closed due to safety issues. If the Fire Marshall declares the event closed, then everyone must exit the venue.

· The Fire Marshall and the Director of Public Safety meet often to discuss event procedures and potential hazards.

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Section 6: Table of Organization of Concert Safety Corps

The structure of Concert Safety Corps consists of five components. The following is an explanation of each position and its responsibilities.

President of Concert Safety Corps

This is a paid position, open to any CSC representative with leadership ability and administrative aptitude. Selection of the President takes place during the fall semester.

The responsibilities of the President include the following:

·  Work with the University Union Office of Conference and Event Services (OCES) and the Office of Student Activities (OSA), BCA, UUB, and OPS personnel in determining the number of CSC representatives needed and any logistical requirements needed for the performance;

·  Check the venue before each event for violations of fire/safety regulations;

·  Hear complaints against any CSC representative;

·  Establish a re-entry system;

·  Conduct pre- and post-concert briefing sessions;

·  Assist the CSC Vice President with staffing questions as needed;

• Assign CSC representatives to areas and responsibilities at the venue. If the President is not in attendance the Officer in Charge for the event will make these decisions;

·  Act as a “troubleshooter” during events, giving instructions, making decisions, and formulating solutions to any problem that may arise during an event; and

·  Evaluate the Vice Presidents, Training Officers, and Lead Supervisors.

Under the President’s authority are:

Vice President of Concert Safety Corps

This is a paid position open to any CSC representative with leadership ability and administrative aptitude. Selection of a Vice President takes place during the fall semester.

The duties of the Vice President include the following:

• Maintain a current list of all certified CSC representatives available to work;

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• Schedule and contact the required number of CSC representatives needed to work an event;