Schools spend significant time preparing for emergencies inside classrooms, but some of the most complex situations can occur during large gatherings. A Friday night football game, a packed auditorium, or a school assembly can draw far larger crowds than a typical school day, making emergency planning for these spaces just as important as planning for the classrooms themselves.
Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) now requires high schools to attest that all varsity and subvarsity teams have venue-specific Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) for their practice and contest locations. These plans must be documented, posted, rehearsed, and discussed regularly with staff and coaches. According to the MHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, a documented, venue-specific EAP is one of the most effective ways for schools to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
The challenge for many schools is that athletic and event environments are often large, crowded, and unfamiliar to visitors. During an emergency, confusion and panic can slow response times and make evacuation more difficult. That’s where LockOut’s Event Safety Solutions (ESS) comes in.
What Are Event Safety Solutions?
Event Safety Solutions provide customized evacuation mapping and emergency response tools specifically designed for athletic facilities and large event spaces. Using advanced drone mapping and customized evacuation planning, LockOut creates detailed overhead maps, instructional videos, and emergency guidance tailored to each location.
Helping Schools Meet MHSAA EAP Expectations
The MHSAA requires EAPs to be venue-specific, meaning schools cannot rely on a single generalized plan for every location. Each practice and contest area should have clearly defined procedures and emergency guidance.
LockOut’s ESS supports these requirements by helping schools create organized, location-specific safety resources that are easy to access and simple to understand.
Customized Safety Plans
Each event location receives a customized evacuation and emergency response plan designed around the layout of the space. These plans help direct attendees, staff, and emergency responders during severe weather events, medical emergencies, or other critical incidents.
Drone Mapping Technology
LockOut uses high-quality drone imagery to create detailed overhead views of athletic complexes and event areas. This provides administrators and emergency personnel with a clearer understanding of entrances, exits, traffic flow, medical access points, shelter areas, and evacuation routes.
QR Code Access for Visitors
One of the biggest challenges during school events is communicating emergency procedures to people who may be unfamiliar with the facility. Event Safety Solutions address this by providing QR code access to venue-specific evacuation maps, emergency videos, and critical safety information.
Visitors can simply scan a posted QR code to instantly access the event safety landing page from their mobile device. For even greater accessibility, the QR code can also be displayed on event programs, digital scoreboards, video boards, or other venue displays. Schools may also share the direct link with attendees, teams, coaches, staff, or volunteers before the event, giving them the opportunity to review emergency procedures before they arrive.
By making safety information easy to access before and during an event, schools can improve preparedness, reduce confusion, and help attendees respond more confidently if an emergency occurs.
Evacuation Videos and Visual Guidance
ESS includes first-person and overhead evacuation videos that show attendees exactly where to go during an emergency. This visual guidance can help reduce confusion and improve response times during high-stress situations. See this sample website to view example maps and videos.
Simplified Zone Plans
LockOut’s Event Safety Solutions organize each venue into clearly defined evacuation zones based on the event’s layout, exit locations, potential hazards, and the natural flow of people throughout the space. Rather than directing everyone toward the same exit, each zone is assigned specific exits and evacuation routes tailored to its location.
By dividing attendees into organized groups, schools can help reduce both congestion and panic at exits, improve traffic flow during an evacuation, and make emergency procedures easier to communicate and follow. Clearly defined zones also provide a common point of reference for staff, law enforcement, first responders, and attendees, helping everyone coordinate more effectively during an emergency.
Beyond Compliance
While meeting MHSAA requirements is important, effective emergency planning is ultimately about protecting people. A strong Emergency Action Plan helps schools improve communication, reduce response times, organize evacuations, and create safer environments for students, staff, athletes, and visitors. The MHSAA notes that well-prepared EAPs help provide faster and more effective emergency responses while reducing the risk of further injury or confusion during a crisis.
LockOut’s Event Safety Solutions give schools practical tools to turn emergency planning into something actionable, visual, and accessible, not just a document stored in a binder. As schools continue strengthening their emergency preparedness efforts, venue-specific planning is becoming an essential part of school safety. LockOut’s Event Safety Solutions help schools build plans that are easier to communicate, easier to access, and easier to follow when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Event Safety Solutions can be customized for a wide range of campus locations, including athletic fields, stadiums, gymnasiums, auditoriums, cafeterias, performing arts centers, courtyards, and other large gathering spaces. If people gather there, we can help create a clear emergency response plan for it.
Each district receives a customized landing page that can be accessed by scanning a QR code. One acrylic QR code sign is included with each venue purchased, and additional signs can be added as needed. For maximum visibility, we also recommend linking the page on your school’s athletics or events website so attendees can review safety information before arriving.
The landing page provides both everyday event information and emergency response guidance. Depending on the venue, it may include evacuation routes, severe weather shelter locations, AED and first aid locations, fire extinguisher locations, designated reunification areas, and the best exits from the facility.
How much does LockOut’s Event Safety Solutions Cost?
Pricing varies based on the number and type of venues being mapped. Funding may be available through school safety grants that can help offset implementation costs. Contact a sales representative for a customized quote and funding guidance.
What if our facility changes after implementation?
Emergency plans can be updated whenever facility modifications occur. Schools may purchase updates as needed or enroll in annual review services to help ensure plans remain accurate. During annual reviews, your LockOut representative will discuss any facility changes, verify existing information, and identify opportunities to add new venues or enhancements.
Contact The Lockout Co. today to schedule a free site evaluation and learn how Event Safety Solutions can create a safer, more prepared environment for your event.
