In coordination with the Department of Athletics, the Office of Emergency Management and Fire and Life Safety hosted a comprehensive tabletop exercise to prepare and respond to a potential end-of-game field invasion from the crowd.
The exercise brought together key collaborators from contracted security, the University of Houston Police Department, Advantage Emergency Medical Services, Athletics Staff, Parking and Transportation, Fire Marshal’s Office, OVG Facilities, and Follet Higher Education as relevant departments that play crucial roles during game day.
The scenario presented during the tabletop exercise involved a high-energy game that ended in a last-second victory for the home team and an invasion of the field after the game. The tabletop exercise allowed the collaborators to work through the challenges, identify gaps in response, and see how other departments and agencies communicate with one another. Participants in the exercise discussed a wide range of issues, including:
- Communication protocols
- Crowd control
- Field and perimeter
- Access and control
- Stadium evacuation
- Traffic management
The lessons learned from the tabletop exercise will be incorporated into the emergency plans and procedures for a successful game day. This is only one aspect of the preparation that it takes to get ready for the upcoming UH football season.