Global Sports International. // Tournament Referees

Procedures for Heat, Inclement Weather and/or Rain

1. In the event that field temperatures reach elevated levels, OPSC staff will be responsible for implementing the following procedures to “cool” the fields to an acceptable playing temperature. The following guidelines/criteria will be followed when the field cooling system is activated:

OPSC staff will monitor the field temperature on an hourly basis when the air temperature and/or heat index reaches or is forecasted to reach 95 degrees.
Once the field temperature reaches 120 degrees (identified by WBGT heat stress thermometer) OPSC staff will activate the field sprinklers for 5-10 minutes per field (this will require fields to be cleared for safety purposes).
Cooling fans will be used if the ambient air temperature and/or heat index reaches 90 degrees.
Field Cooling Process: 1. Field cooling sprinklers will be activated for 5-10 minutes per field. Occupants will be required to clear the fields during this time. 2. Areas not reached by in-ground sprinklers will be hand watered.

2. Anytime and every time the Soccer Complex is cleared for thunder, lightning, and/or storms that could pose an electrical hazard, all patrons and personnel will report to the safety areas (any interior lower level rooms. The Manager and Supervisors will coordinate the movement of people to the safety areas and provide staff in those areas.

The city, along with the Overland Park Soccer Complex, has contracted with a meteorological service, Weather or Not, to provide information and updates during inclement weather. In the event that a storm threatens the immediate area, OSPC staff is responsible for the safety of all personnel, players and spectators. Following is the procedure that will be used in a storm situation:

Notification, via text message and/or e-mail, of inclement weather will be sent to supervisors phones by Weather or Not meteorological service. Supervisors can contact Weather or Not meteorologists directly at (913) 722- 3955 or (816) 898-7777 for immediate consultation of the storm’s path. On-duty Supervisor will use the “All Call” via the soccer complex’s public address system to broadcast information and updates as needed.

Rain Storm: If a rainstorm occurs, and no threat of an electrical storm exists, play on fields may continue.
Severe Storm: If severe weather, including electrical storms, is threatening, or any signs of threatening weather, such as dark low clouds exist, then clear the fields immediately. You are not forcing the customers to leave the complex, merely to seek shelter immediately in their vehicles or closest building. In case the fields are cleared for a threatening electrical storm, staff assignments will be the same as for a tornado warning (see “D” below). Some minor adjustments may have to be made.

The complex will receive an alert message from the Weather or Not regarding threatening weather. The supervisor will be advised of the location of storms in the area, in addition the complex will have a lightning detector. Anytime there is a threat of rain, the supervisor should use the detector to monitor for lightning in the area. The device will detect lightning up to 40 miles away. When lightning is detected in the 8 to 20 mile range the fields should be cleared. The pager and lightning detector are tools to assist the complex supervisor in making the decision on when the patrons must leave the fields of play. Keep in mind that these tools are not perfect. The first lightning from a rain cloud may be over the complex. The supervisor is urged to be conservative when deciding when to clear the fields. We prefer to have the patrons off the fields a little longer than needed, rather than risk a tragic accident.
Hail Storm: If the threat of hail exists, announcements will be made over the PA system notifying everyone to clear the fields and take shelter in one of the buildings or their vehicles immediately.
Tornado Watch: The complex supervisor will inform the participants of the tornado watch via the public address system. The complex supervisor will instruct the participants what will be required of them if a warning is sounded. This warning will be repeated every 15 minutes by reading the following statement:

The Soccer Complex is now in a tornado watch area. If a tornado warning alert is sounded, all persons remaining in the soccer complex will go immediately to an interior room in the field house and follow directions of staff. Those desiring to leave are free to do so.
Tornado Warning: All personnel will direct participants to an interior room of the field house. Staff will station themselves at the front door to assist any adults calling for children. A staff person will be stationed at the door of each room. CAFÉ EMPLOYEES ARE TO REMAIN IN CAFÉ, CLOSE METAL WINDOW AND GO TO WALK-IN COOLER AND TURN COOLER OFF. Employees are to remain there until manager has given the all clear.