The document provides guidance for crowd manager training at Florida State University. It outlines that crowd managers are responsible for audience safety and emergency evacuation. They must be able to communicate emergency information to the public and alert emergency services. The training covers legal requirements for crowd managers, pre-event checks of facilities, how to direct the public during evacuations, fire alarm and sprinkler systems, and the proper use of fire extinguishers.

1. FSU Crowd Manager Training
Gerred Pogge, MPA

2. Legal Requirements
The Florida Fire Prevention Code requires places
of assembly must have at least (1) crowd
manager or crowd manager supervisor. Where
occupant loads exceed 250, additional crowd
managers/supervisors may be required at the
ratio of 1 crowd manager for every 250
occupants.

3. Duties and Responsibilities
• Crowd managers are responsible for
audience safety
• Crowd managers must have a means to
communicate emergency information
and alert emergency personnel
• Crowd managers must ensure a safe
evacuation of the public when
necessary

4. Fire Drill
A pre-event meeting to determine staff
duties and a fire drill should be conducted
with all show members in order to
familiarize cast and crew with their
responsibilities, location of exits, fire alarm
pull stations, and fire extinguishers

5. Pre-event Check
• Before a performance a crowd
manager, usher, or a responsible party
should check the facility to ensure that
all emergency exit signs are illuminated,
exit doors are unlocked from the egress
side, no obstructions block exit doors or
paths of egress. Check for clear access
to all fire safety equipment

6. Audible Announcement
• NFPA 101, Section 12.7.7.3 “An audible
announcement shall be made or a
projected image shown, prior to the start
of each program that notifies occupants
of the location of the exits to be used in
case of a fire or other emergency.”

7. Fire Alarm Systems
• Can be activated by
pull stations,
heat/smoke detectors,
or water flow from
sprinkler heads.
• Alarm systems are
monitored by FSU Fire
Safety and FSUPD
Emergency Dispatch

8. Sprinkler Systems
• Designed to actuate
when a sprinkler head
reaches a specific
temperature.
• Typically only
individual head over a
fire will discharge
• Will activate the fire
alarm when water
flows through system

9. Fire Safety
• Crowd managers and
ushers should know
how to activate the
building fire alarm
system and alert
emergency services
• Each crowd manager
should be trained in the
use of portable fire
extinguishers

10. In the event of a fire
• Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station to
alert building occupants and FSUPD.
• Direct the public towards the closest
emergency exit
• Only use a fire extinguisher to put out fires if
it is safe to do so once the alarm has been
activated

11. Directing the Public
• Ensure a calm and orderly evacuation.
• Give clear concise directions and use
hand motions to direct the public in the
event of an emergency situation
• Close doors as you leave, make sure
everyone knows there is a fire, and call
for help from a safe location
• Assemble the public a safe distance
away from the building and try to
identify any missing individuals

12. Calling for help
• Always call 9-1-1 in an emergency
• Call FSUPD @ 644-1234 on campus for
non-emergencies
• Report fires or smoke as soon as they are
discovered
• Inform emergency personnel of anyone
unaccounted for and their last know location

13. Fire Extinguishers
• All fire extinguishers
should be checked
prior to the
performance to
ensure they are
functional and
available during
emergency
situations

14. How to use an extinguisher
PASS
• P- pull the pin from the extinguisher handle
• A- aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
• S- squeeze the handle with the palm of your
hand to discharge the unit at the fire
• S- sweep the nozzle slowly back and forth at
the fire as you spray until the fire is
completely out
*Always stand about ten feet away from the fire
to avoid being burned

15. Extinguisher Label

16. Performing a quick check
• Make sure the arrow on the gauge point
to the green “full” position and the pull
pin is intact
• Visually inspect the cylinder for
damage. Call FSU Fire Safety to
replace damaged or missing units
• Check the nozzle for obstructions
• Hold the extinguisher upside down for 1
minute to fluff the dry chemical
extinguishing agent

17. References
• Florida Fire Prevention Code 2010 Ed.
• NFPA 101, Section 12.7.6 for new
occupancies and NFPA 101, Section
13.7.6 for existing occupancies
• NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire
Extinguishers
• NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code