Nothing is worse than getting excited about a home game at the bank and finding out after you get there that the game is being delayed due to lightning.
You might be curious, who is making this decision?
The reality is there is a lot of moving parts with a group of experts called the Unified Command Team. It contains a variety of people and their organizations represented by Chief Robert Burns from JSO, Chief Todd Smith from EPD, Meteorologist Angela Enyedi from the National Weather Service, Chief Jake Blanton with JFRD Mike Kenny from ASM global.
This group of people and the entities they represent make those important decisions on game day.
Mike Kenny from ASM Global explained they have a series of meetings ahead of the game where they get the latest information from the National Weather Service. This allows them to prepare for the event of a *cold blue*, the phrase they use in case a shelter in place is needed.
It’s subjective, but the basic rule is if weather is expected or being seen within 25 miles then preparations for a shelter in are needed.
Within 10 miles then a shelter in place is to be considered and or enacted, yet this threshold can vary given the location and movement of any local storms and the size of the crowd at the stadium. In short, it is a guideline, and the Unified Command together makes the decision when a game will be impacted or delayed due to weather.
Meteorologist from the national weather service are on site on game day to provide at the moment forecast. Meteorologist Angela Enyedi explains.
“I relay weather intelligence to the Unified Command Team… on Game Day when we are by ASM, Safety officials as well Unified Command we are looking at radar, satellite data near term forecast and lightning data to keep fans safe.”
So what do you do if you hear a shelter in place is issued at a Jaguars game. Chief Blanton from JFRD explained, “If you hear a cold blue announced at the stadium, this is an effort for the stadium management to keep you safe, you need to follow the direction of the employees at the stadium, so you are directed to safe location at the stadium, it might be a corridor or a club section. The key thing is to keep you safe from the lightning or any other threats that may be present.”
Thus, they look at all the data available and make decisions based on where the weather is and how it could impact the event.
The number one thing of course is to keep people safe, which is why such a team is in place which is supported by the city of Jacksonville. Dr. Charles Moreland the Mayor's Deputy Chief Administrative officer explained.
“ Unified Command is a big part of the decision-making process for public safety inside the stadium, the Mayor's Commitment to public safety has always been a priority and this team provides us with that safety to know that the decisions being made at the stadium on game day related to any event whether its weather heat or anything is going to be made with a high level of professionalism to ensure people are safe that come visit our city and participate in game day experience.”
So next time you are worried about a thunderstorm near the stadium on game day, know that there is a whole group of people monitoring the storm to ensure you will stay safe.