Safety and Weather Emergency Evacuation Plan

Morristown Festival on the Green is held rain or shine. 

The events cannot occur, as scheduled, if the following conditions prevail:

• Lightning
• High Winds
• Emergencies

All staff, exhibitors and subcontractors will be advised of safety protocols prior to the event through the distribution of this documentation. The safety of the guests and event participants is a vital concern to the event managers and producers. This document will address the procedure to be utilized in the event that an emergency arises during the day.

Severe Weather & Emergency Evacuation Plan

Severe Weather

Forecast Consistently Monitored – Event officials (Morristown Partnership) will monitor the weather forecasts, satellite radar readings and the NOAA weather radio for New Jersey and specifically Morris County, in advance of the event in order to be advised of the possibility of storm activity. In addition, the weather forecast will be monitored throughout the day via a wireless computer on the event site and NOAA weather radio.

Suspension of Event Schedule

Should lightning occur that is within a 20 to 30 minute range of the event site, all programming will be suspended until the lightning/storm activity has passed.

Evacuation of Festival Site

If severe inclement weather is observed on the satellite radar systems and such severe weather is approaching within 20 to 30 minutes of the event site or if the severe weather pattern is clearly discernible, then the event site will be evacuated. Additionally, other emergencies can develop very rapidly. Make sure you are equipped to move to a total or relative place of safety without delay. The decision to evacuate will be made in consultation with local Police and Fire Departments.

Police Department/Traffic Flow

Once the decision to evacuate the Festival Site has been made, the Police Department (if not already cognizant of the decision) must be immediately notified so that police officers will be able to facilitate traffic moving from the area.

Notice to Participants/Spectators

The decision to evacuate the event site will be communicated as follows:

Event personnel/volunteers will canvas the event area to advise the evacuation order and direct to evacuation sites.

This Safety and Weather Emergency Evacuation Plan will be posted on the event website and through social media.

This Safety and Evacuation Plan will be provided, in advance of the event. 

This Safety and Evacuation Plan will be posted at the Festival Command Center (North Park Place) and the Morristown Partnership event tent (West Park Place).

Evacuation Sites

All persons should evacuate to Morristown Parking Authority covered parking facilities:

• The Dalton Garage: 1 Cattano Avenue
• The Ann/Bank Garage: 30 Schuyler Place
• DeHart Street Garage: 4 DeHart Street

Restarting Event

The decision to resume the event will be made by the Morristown Partnership in consultation with local Police and Fire Departments. In most cases current radar data will need to be available showing that the dangerous weather has passed and there is no potential for further cells to pass through the area.

The decision to resume event activities will be communicated as follows:

Morristown Partnership will use web and social media platforms to communicate “all clear”.

Modification of Event Schedule Due to Lightning or Storm Activity

Every effort will be made to adhere to the established event schedule. Should a delay occur due to lightning or storm activity; and the delay is so lengthy as to render adherence to the original event schedule impossible, events and activities will be cancelled or modified to the best of our ability.  

Notification 

In the event of an emergency at the Morristown Festival on the Green, please visit the following web and social media sites for developing information: 

www.morristown-nj.org

Facebook: @MorristownPartnership

Instagram: @DowntownMorristown