Emergency Procedures
Security and Safety
24/7 McCormick Place Security Services and Safety Measures
McCormick Place Security personnel patrol and monitor facility public areas, parking lots and perimeters. Security staff is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Personnel respond to all incidents and, when requested, will assist persons with disabilities. In general, McCormick Place Security focuses on the following:
- Patrol of facility grounds and parking lots
- Administration of the Building Entry and Exit Procedures
- Enforcement of the Parking & Dock Access Program
- Closed-circuit television surveillance of selected public and exterior areas
- Limited surveillance of the show floor, loading docks and shipping activities
- Photo identification badges for McCormick Place personnel
- Meeting room security using alarms and locking systems
- A safe environment for event attendees and exhibitors
Event Organizer Security Responsibilities at McCormick Place
- Control access to licensed exhibit halls and meeting rooms
- Security for booths
- Security for show materials being moved in or moved out of McCormick Place
- Compliance with the regulations and policies of McCormick Place, City of Chicago, State of Illinois and the federal government
Weapons are not allowed on McCormick Place Property
Incident Reporting
If Fire, Medical or Police assistance is needed:
- DIAL Extension 6060 from a house or exhibit booth telephone.
- DIAL 312-791-6060 from an outside phone line.
(including the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel)
Please refrain from calling 911. If you do call 911, also call Security at the numbers above.
First Aid
Accessible First Aid Stations with AEDs at McCormick Place
McCormick Place provides wheelchair-accessible first aid stations in each building. Specific stations are opened based on the event location. These stations are fully equipped and include automated external defibrillators for reviving heart attack victims.
Wheelchair-Accessible First Aid Stations with AEDs at McCormick Place
All medical care is provided under the guidance of the McCormick Place Medical Director, who is board-certified in emergency medicine. Stations are staffed by Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers, most of whom serve as full-time paramedics for the Chicago or suburban fire departments.
Nearby Hospitals and Emergency Medical Transport
In addition, two hospitals are situated within minutes of McCormick Place. City ambulances will be called to transport patients when needed.
Automated External Defibrillators
McCormick Place has 92 AEDs mounted in highly visible cabinets throughout the buildings and in each security vehicle. When needed, anyone who has taken a CPR/AED course can utilize them, as can our own certified personnel. More than 150 security and fire safety officers and managers have been certified in CPR and are trained to use AEDs.
Emergency Response
McCormick Place prioritizes visitor and employee safety with the highest standards of fire-resistant construction, advanced detection and protection systems, and computerized alarms. In the event of an alarm, the system instantly alerts Chicago’s 911 Center, triggering an immediate response from the Chicago Fire Department.
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, allowing 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 the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and the Greater Chicago Hotel Loss Prevention Association. Security meetings with downtown hotels to exchange information and 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 annually. Many personnel are Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and have received training in responding to hazardous materials situations and biochemical 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 reviewed at the next drill.
Enhanced Security
- Security officers enforce building policies and monitor all public entrances.
- Increases in our fire safety officer crew have made additional safety inspections and patrols possible.
- 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 are posted at all ramps to ensure that each vehicle needing access has complied with the Parking & Dock Access Program.
- 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.
- Show management must submit a comprehensive security plan 45 days before the event. Standardized documents are provided to planners.
Evacuation Plan
As with any facility, an emergency requiring evacuation may occur in certain circumstances. McCormick Place has a highly trained Security and Safety staff, which includes many active or former members of the Chicago Police and Fire Departments. We would consult with the event organizer to determine appropriate actions in an emergency.
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 other means. We will most likely have guests move to another hall or building until the emergency is resolved.
Your event manager can provide a detailed evacuation reference sheet, or you can download our Evacuation Guide.
Emergency Training
We conduct an annual mass-casualty disaster drill and semi-annual evacuation/fire drills. Our security and safety personnel have received special training in disaster response, CPR, and the use of AEDs. In addition, all are licensed as City of Chicago fireguards. Since 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 oversees our EMS program and works closely with the Center for Disease Control and the Illinois Department of Public Health, and our local hospitals.
