EAA AirVenture Safety 101

June 2015 - With EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015 right around the corner, it is always good to know what to do in certain situations should they arise on the convention grounds. Below I discuss two occurrences, lost child procedures and severe weather warnings, and what you should do as an EAA volunteer if either should occur.

Lost Child Procedures:

1. Ask the child if they are lost.
2. If yes, immediately contact security/law enforcement (call EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Security Dispatch at 920-230-7754).
3. It is important to not move the child. Make sure to stay in the same location where you found the child.
4. Ask the child if they know where their parent/guardian may be.
5. Wait, in the same area where you found the child, with the child. Do not leave the child until assistance from security/law enforcement arrives.

Severe Weather Procedures:

In the event of severe weather, warnings and instructions will be provided over the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh public address system, EAA Radio, social media, and text messaging alerts to your cellphone. (Text OSHALERT to 69050 to automatically sign up for any necessary weather alerts.)

If severe weather develops or has the potential to develop, the National Weather Service will issue a watch or warning based on an approaching storm’s potential or current strength. In the event that a warning is issued, Winnebago County emergency sirens will activate, and you should do the following:

• Seek shelter immediately. If you are on the AirVenture grounds, seek shelter in a sturdy building or inside of a frame exhibitor tent. If you are in Camp Scholler, take shelter in your camper or your vehicle.
• If you are in your vehicle, crouch below the window line and turn on the engine. This will allow the vehicle’s airbags to be deployed.
• If shelter is not available, find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles. Make sure the spot is not prone to flash flooding. If you cannot avoid trees, try to stay in the area of shorter trees.