EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Your safety is our top priority. As we gather for the 2025 ESCA Winter Celebration and Awards, we want you to feel confident and prepared. This guide provides essential information to help you respond calmly and effectively in the unlikely event of an emergency.
The ESCA staff will remain in close communication with both attendees and the venue should any emergency unfold. All attendees will receive updates through the conference chatbot. For your safety, please ensure you are signed up for this service.
EXIT ROUTES
The venue is equipped with multiple exit points for rapid evacuation during emergencies. In case of emergency, use stairs.
- Back stairwell: Located in the upper-left quadrant of the venue, adjacent to the restrooms. Exits to the first-floor back hallway (office side of first floor).
- Fire escape: Positioned at the lower-right corner of the venue. Exits to the parking lot.
- Main door entrance: Serves as both the primary entry and exit, found at the bottom-center of the venue. Exits to the front driveway/lobby area.
- Elevator: Accesses the first-floor lobby, first and second floor offices, and third-floor venue.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER LOCATIONS
Fire extinguishers are strategically positioned throughout the space in case of fire-related incidents.
- Bar area: Behind the bar station and near the main entrance of the bar zone.
- Emergency exit: Adjacent to the fire escape, beside the back stairwell, and near restrooms.
- Central and elevated zones: Upper-center of the venue and on the raised stage area.
- Kitchen: At the dish pit workstation and near the primary entrance to the kitchen zone.
FIRST AID KIT LOCATIONS
The first aid kit is located in the kitchen.
CHAIN OF COMMAND
The ESCA staff will coordinate with the appropriate representative in the event of an emergency. The most tenured operations managers will lead in the event of an emergency response. They are responsible for calling emergency services, directing guests, and communicating with on-site security.
The chain of command for emergency response during event hours is as follows:
- Bar Manager
- Venue Manager
- Floor Managers
- Event Manager
EVACUATION
- If evacuation is necessary, venue staff will be responsible for directing guests to the nearest emergency exit.
- If the elevator is not accessible, slings are on site for those who are not able to get down the stairs, and venue and catering staff will assist those guests downstairs.
- ESCA and Venue staff will account for all staff and guests.
- Guests will not be allowed to re-enter the building until emergency services have arrived and given the all-clear to do so.
SHELTER IN PLACE
If evacuation is not possible, or national weather services have instructed people to take shelter (tornado, hurricane, severe weather) venue staff will notify on-site security and work to direct guests to the first-floor office hallway to shelter in place away from windows.
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
- In the event of an emergency, call 911 and notify on-site security immediately.
- Do not move anyone who is injured.
- Access the first aid kit for any minor injuries.
POWER OUTAGE
Venue staff will locate emergency lighting. Flashlights are stored in the bar closet.
ACTIVE SHOOTER
- Run: Move immediately to the nearest emergency exit. If you are able to leave the building, do not stop in the parking lot — continue moving farther away from the building until you are in a safe location.
- Hide: If you cannot exit safely, find and secure a room. The first floor includes lockable rooms such as the office, suites, and the green room. Turn off lights, silence phones, and stay out of sight.
- Fight: Only if you have no other option. Quickly assess your surroundings for items that can be used as improvised weapons and act decisively to create an opportunity to escape.
- Notify: Call 911 as soon as it is safe to do so. If you need to remain quiet, place the call and leave the line open so dispatch can hear what is happening.
DOCUMENTATION
After the incident, the bar manager will complete an incident report.
The ESCA staff will be responsible for obtaining the report from the bar manager, adding further detail if necessary, and keeping documentation of the incident for their records.
ESCA WINTER CELEBRATION & AWARDS
Sunday, December 7, 2025
6:00 – 10:00 PM
- 2026 ESCA Winter Celebration & Awards November 16, 2026, Milwaukee, WI
- 2027 ESCA Winter Celebration & Awards December 6, 2027, New Orleans, LA
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