Safety & Security - Emergency Response

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Hyatt-McCormick Place

Facilities - Security and Safety - Emergency Response

The entire McCormick Place Complex has been built using the highest standards of safety and fire-resistant construction. The complex is equipped with sophisticated fire detection and protection systems as well as computerized alarms. The Hyatt Hotel and the Conference Center are both equipped with comparable emergency systems. When an alarm is activated, the system will automatically transmit a signal to Chicago's 9-1-1 Center, the City's emergency communications center. This will initiate an immediate response from the Chicago Fire Department.

At McCormick Place the safety of our visitors has always been of paramount importance. The following information outlines steps we have taken to increase the safety of all visitors and employees at McCormick Place:

Communications

Regular communications occur with the Chicago Fire Department, the Chicago Police Department and the FBI. McCormick Place has provided the Chicago 911 Center with a CD-ROM of the facility to allow for immediate viewing of the emergency exits for each building.
Meetings with the IC Railroad and Metra occur periodically to discuss schedules and emergency response plans because of the trains that run underneath the facility.
McCormick Place is a member of Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and the Greater Chicago Hotel Loss Prevention Association. Security meetings with downtown hotels to exchange information, as well as regular faxes result in excellent communication.

Planning

McCormick Place revised and reissued an Emergency Evacuation Plan for the facility (which follows this Manual section).
McCormick Place conducts training for security and fire safety officers throughout the year. Many personnel are Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and have received training in responding to hazardous materials situations and bio-chemical problems.
The Security and Safety Department conducts annual disaster drills involving hundreds of participating volunteers. The Chicago Fire Department and our Medical Advisor critique the drill performance and outline any improvements, which are reviewed at the next drill.

Enhanced Security

An additional shift of security officers has been established including increased mobile patrols.
Increases to our fire safety officer crew have made it possible for additional safety inspections and patrols.
Additional traffic aides have been assigned to monitor all traffic in roadways, tunnels, etc.
Vehicles are no longer allowed to park on roadways, tunnels, etc. Illegally parked vehicles are towed immediately.
Ramps leading to docks are secured. Security officers and traffic aides are posted at all ramps to insure that each vehicle has been processed through truck marshalling and has been given approval to enter the ramps. General Contractors, trades and EAC officials cooperate with this procedure.
McCormick Place has identified 20 locations (including ramps) where swing gates have been permanently installed to increase control of ramps and other roadways during off-hours.
Security Department Management meet with local show security agencies on a quarterly basis.

Evacuation Plan
In certain circumstances, as with any facility, an emergency requiring evacuation may occur. McCormick Place has a highly trained Security and Safety staff, which includes many active or former members of the Chicago Police and Fire Departments. Should an emergency occur, we would consult with the organizer of each event to determine appropriate actions.

If the emergency is minor, such as a small fire, the Security and Safety staff may insist that visitors in the immediate area move to a safer location within the same building. If the emergency is greater, we will advise guests in the facilities using the public announcement system or by other means, and most likely have guests move to another hall or building, until the emergency is resolved.

A detailed evacuation reference sheet can be provided by your Event Manager.

Emergency Training
We conduct an annual mass-casualty disaster drill, and semi-annual evacuation/fire drills. All of our Security and Safety personnel have taken special training in disaster response, as well as CPR and the use of AEDs. In addition, all are licensed as City of Chicago fireguards. Since all of our Fire Safety Officers, and several of our Security personnel are EMTs, we offer monthly continuing education classes to keep their skills and knowledge current. Our staff Medical Advisor who oversees our EMS Program, works closely with the Center for Disease Control and the Illinois Department of Public Health, as well as our local hospitals.

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McCormick Place
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60616
Phone:312-791-7000
Fax:312-791-6543
TTY:312-791-6505