Badger Music & Arts Festival 2026
Emergency Response Plan
Hartsel, Park County, Colorado · August 13–16, 2026
v1.0 (DRAFT) · Released August 11, 2026
Purpose & Scope
This Emergency Response Plan (ERP) establishes how Badger Music & Arts Festival 2026 prevents, prepares for, and responds to emergencies on site. It is written to align with Colorado DFPC Fire Code (IFC 2024) public-safety-plan requirements and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) / Incident Command System (ICS).
It applies to all staff, volunteers, vendors, artists, and contractors. Copies are stored at every key post. Medical and Safety/Security operate under their own professional SOPs; this ERP coordinates them under a single Incident Commander.
Command & Control (ICS)
The Incident Commander (IC) holds overall authority during any emergency. When fire, EMS, or law enforcement arrive on scene, command transitions to a Unified Command with that Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ); festival staff support and provide site knowledge.
Reports flow up the chain: zone/post staff → section lead (Security, Medical, Fire, Gate) → IC. Keep span of control manageable; if you cannot reach your lead, go to Command on Channel 11.
- IC — Chad Simpson: overall authority, orders suspension/evac, liaises with AHJ.
- Alternate IC — Robert Grosso (Grounds & Site Director) assumes command if the IC is unavailable.
- Safety, Medical, Fire, and Gate leads run their functions under IC.
- Weather Monitor (Robert Grosso) reports to IC and can trigger the evac signal.
- All positions and phone numbers are on the Contact Sheet.
Communications
Two-way radios are the primary emergency communication tool, backed by cell phones (coverage is limited on site), stage PA, staff runners, and Discord/social for attendee messaging.
- Seize a channel by saying "EMERGENCY" three times.
- Keep it short: WHO you are, WHERE you are (zone), WHAT is happening, WHAT you need.
- Command / Incident Command is Channel 11. Key nets — Site Ops 1, Stage Mgmt / Hospitality 2, Volunteers 3, Security 5, Gate / Parking 7, Medical 9, Psych First Aid / Harm Reduction 13, Harmonic Haven 15. Even channels are kept clear as buffers.
- Do not spread unconfirmed information; relay only official announcements.
Standards Alignment
| Source | What we implement |
|---|---|
| Colorado DFPC Fire Code (IFC 2024) §403.11.2 — Public Safety Plan for Gatherings | Emergency vehicle ingress/egress, fire protection, egress/escape routes, EMS, public assembly areas, directing attendees and vehicles/parking, vendor & food concession layout, law-enforcement presence, fire/EMS presence, and a weather-monitoring person. |
| IFC §3106 / §3107 — Outdoor Assembly Events | Weather monitor authority to suspend/cancel and issue the evacuation signal, portable fire extinguisher placement, combustible refuse control, designated smoking areas, and combustible vegetation clearance. |
| NIMS / ICS — FEMA IS-15 Special Events Contingency Planning | Incident Command structure, unified command with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) on scene, manageable span of control, communications/radio plan, and incident documentation. |
| NFPA 1600 / 1620 (reference) | Emergency management program elements and pre-incident planning practices. |
Command & Contact Sheet
During any emergency, call 911 first for life safety, then notify the Incident Commander. Fill assignments below before the event.
| Role | Name | Phone | Discord | Radio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency (life threat, fire, crime)Always first for life safety. Then notify IC. | Call 911 | 911 | — | — |
| Incident Commander (IC)Overall authority during any emergency; also Safety Lead. | Chad Simpson | (708) 363-3037 | @wik_musik | Channel 11 / "Command" |
| Alternate IC / Grounds & Site DirectorDirects grounds & site operations and serves as Weather Monitor. Assumes command if IC is unavailable. | Robert Grosso | (201) 566-4562 | @oregoneamplifiers | Channel 11 / "Command" |
| Safety LeadSame person as IC. | Chad Simpson | (708) 363-3037 | @wik_musik | Channel 5 / "Security" |
| Medical Lead (on-site provider)Adult-Gerontology NP. Medical provider SOPs govern all medical incidents. | Amy Landrum, AGNP-C — Four Corners Free Clinic | (850) 602-0315 | @amy.o.possum | Channel 9 / "Medical" |
| Medical Alternate (1st) | John Reeve | (806) 577-0343 | — | Channel 9 / "Medical" |
| Medical Alternate (2nd) | Andrew Weber | (251) 648-1730 | — | Channel 9 / "Medical" |
| Fire Safety OfficerFire response coordinates on the Command net (Ch 11) — no dedicated fire channel. 911 dispatches Hartsel Fire. | Alex Hendren | (970) 821-5195 | — | Channel 11 / "Command" |
| Fire Safety Officer (alternate) | Chloe Stell | (817) 914-3476 | — | Channel 11 / "Command" |
| Weather MonitorAlso Grounds & Site Director. Authority to trigger weather mitigation, suspension, and the evacuation signal. | Robert Grosso | (201) 566-4562 | @oregoneamplifiers | Channel 11 / "Command" |
| Gate / Traffic Lead | Zac Roberts | (810) 599-6243 | — | Channel 7 / "Gate / Parking" |
| Parking & Volunteer CoordinatorCoordinates parking flow and volunteer staffing (Volunteers net Ch 3); key support during staged vehicle evacuation. | Hannah Ziebart | (352) 459-7109 | — | Channel 7 / "Gate / Parking" |
| Park County Sheriff / Dispatch (non-emergency)Dispatches fire & ambulance for Hartsel. Sheriff admin office: (719) 836-2494. | Park County Communications | (719) 836-4121 opt 5 | — | — |
| Local Fire District131 Elm St, Hartsel, CO 80449. Local responding district; toned out via 911 / County Dispatch. | Hartsel Fire Protection District | (719) 836-3500 | — | — |
| Local EMS — Ground Ambulance911 Castello Ave, Fairplay. Primary ground transport for Park County; dispatched via 911. | South Park Ambulance District (SPAD) | (719) 836-2055 | — | — |
| Nearest Hospital / ER1000 Rush Dr, Salida. 24/7 Level IV Trauma Center, ~55 mi / ≈1 hr. Main line (719) 530-2200. | Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center — Salida | (719) 530-2250 (ED) | — | — |
| Higher-level trauma (major trauma)Level III, ~30 mi from Fairplay. Denver/Colorado Springs (Level I–II) for critical trauma — routing per EMS/medevac. | St. Anthony Summit Medical Center — Frisco | TO BE ASSIGNED — provide before event | — | — |
| Air ambulance / medevacRequested via 911 / EMS. Designate + secure the helicopter LZ with Medical and Hartsel Fire. | Flight For Life Colorado (dispatch) | (800) 332-3123 | — | — |
| Park County Emergency Management (OEM)Coordinate for major incidents / evacuations. Alt (719) 838-1888. Confirm current on-duty emergency manager. | Park County OEM | (719) 836-4372 | — | — |
Park County Public Safety Lines
County recorded/staffed lines for weather, road, and fire-ban status — check these when making weather and road calls.
Site Hazards & Responses
| Hazard | Primary response |
|---|---|
| Wildland / grass fire (dry pasture, high desert) | Zone Commanders evacuate only; suppression by trained AND Badger-authorized staff only; extinguisher coverage, no ember fires, marshal-gated fire performance. |
| Severe weather (lightning, wind, hail, rain) | Weather Monitor, stage-pause and shelter guidance, structure securing. |
| Dirt ranch-road failure when wet | Road-preservation speed limits and staged vehicle evacuation (trucks → cars → RVs). |
| Medical (heat, altitude ~8,900 ft, dehydration, intoxication) | On-site medical provider SOPs; hydration and altitude messaging in Survival Guide. |
| Crowd / security (fights, theft, unauthorized entry) | Safety/Security SOPs; sheriff coordination; no re-entry / no trespassing rules. |
| Lost or missing person / child | Lost-child work aid, reunification point, radio all-channels description. |
| Access / egress bottleneck on single ranch road | Traffic control posts, staged release, emergency lane kept open at all times. |
Fire Response — Zones of Control
The grounds are divided into geographic fire zones. Each has a Zone Commander whose sole fire-response job is to EVACUATE the zone: move people out, account for them, keep the access lane clear, and report to Command. Zone Commanders do NOT fight fire. Zone names and coverage adjust to the final site map.
Z1 · Gate / Ingress
Main gate, CR 111 approach, day lot, box office
Commander: TO BE ASSIGNED — provide before event
Z2 · Stages / Sound Shrine
Main stage, Sound Shrine, FOH, backline
Commander: TO BE ASSIGNED — provide before event
Z3 · Artist Camping & Harmonic Haven
Artist camping, backstage/artist compound, Harmonic Haven / wellness
↳ Evacuate from the side nearest the fire — move UPWIND, toward the nearest property boundary (away from the flames).
Commander: TO BE ASSIGNED — provide before event
Z4 · Bliss Temple
Bliss Temple and its immediate surrounds
Commander: TO BE ASSIGNED — provide before event
Z5 · Creative Space
Creative space, art installations, live painting, hands-on / workshop areas
↳ Evacuate from the side nearest the fire — move UPWIND, toward the nearest property boundary (away from the flames).
Commander: TO BE ASSIGNED — provide before event
Z6 · GA Camping — North
General-admission tent & walk-in camping, north half
↳ Evacuate from the side nearest the fire — move UPWIND, toward the nearest property boundary (away from the flames).
Commander: TO BE ASSIGNED — provide before event
Z7 · GA Camping — South
General-admission tent & walk-in camping, south half
↳ Evacuate from the side nearest the fire — move UPWIND, toward the nearest property boundary (away from the flames).
Commander: TO BE ASSIGNED — provide before event
Z8 · RV / Car Camping
RV field, car camping, generator-in-RV areas
↳ Evacuate from the side nearest the fire — move UPWIND, toward the nearest property boundary (away from the flames).
Commander: TO BE ASSIGNED — provide before event
Z9 · Vendors / Market
Vendor row, food vendors, roaming vendors, cook areas
Commander: TO BE ASSIGNED — provide before event
Z10 · Medical / HQ
Medical, Safety HQ, Production HQ
Commander: TO BE ASSIGNED — provide before event
Firefighting rules — LOCKED
- ZONE COMMANDERS EVACUATE ONLY. In any fire, a Zone Commander’s only job is to move people out of the zone, account for them, keep the access lane clear, and report to Command. They do NOT fight fire.
- NO ONE is authorized to fight fire without fire-extinguisher training OR firefighting training AND specific authorization from Badger to fight fire. Both are required — no exceptions.
- Authorized suppression is limited to an incipient (small) fire with an extinguisher — remember PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
- Everyone else: report → move people back → deny entry → protect the access lane for the fire district.
- If a fire is spreading (grass / brush), do not engage — evacuate the zone and establish a water / access lane for the AHJ.
- Aligns with the site no ember fires policy; fire performance only under marshal-approved conditions.
Rain / Pasture-Road Evacuation
Site access is a dirt ranch road that degrades when wet. Trigger: the Weather Monitor and IC call the staged egress (road degradation, forecast, or a County/AHJ request), consistent with the site’s road-stewardship rules. Heavy vehicles leave first (highest stuck/damage risk); RVs last (safest to shelter in place).
- Freeze non-essential movementOn the evac order, stop all non-emergency vehicle movement. Keep emergency lanes clear for fire/EMS. Traffic posts staff their positions and go to radio Ch 7 (Gate / Parking).
- Commercial / production / vendor trucks OUT firstHeaviest vehicles leave first before roads soften further: box trucks, production, vendor trucks, trailers. Escort single file at 5 mph, no passing on soft shoulders.
- Passenger cars next, in wavesRelease cars in controlled waves, closest-to-exit first, working toward the gate. Hold each wave until the road ahead is clear. Maintain 5 mph on ingress roads.
- RVs last — hold or releaseRVs leave last or shelter in place. If roads are unsafe, RVs "hold in place" and are released only when staff confirm the road can take them. RVs are the safest to keep on site.
- People before vehicles for life safetyIf IC orders a life-safety evacuation (not just weather road-preservation), move people on foot to assembly areas / hard cover first; vehicle egress is secondary and continues only if safe.
Severe Weather Monitoring & Decisions
The Weather Monitor (Robert Grosso) continuously watches NWS forecasts, radar, and on-site conditions and reports to IC (per IFC outdoor-assembly weather monitoring requirement).
- Lightning: Lightning within 8 miles: pause stage activity, move people off elevated/rigged structures and out of open fields toward hard cover. Resume 30 minutes after the last strike within 8 miles.
- Wind: Sustained wind / gusts threatening tents, stages, or rigging: stop fire performance, secure or lower canopies and shade structures, clear the area downwind of large structures.
- Rain: Heavy or sustained rain degrading roads: initiate road-preservation measures and, if directed, the staged vehicle evacuation (see Rain / Road Evac).
- Fire danger: Elevated fire danger / red-flag conditions: suspend all fire performance, tighten smoking-area and cooking rules, brief zone commanders.
Only the Weather Monitor or IC may order suspension, cancellation, or the evacuation signal. Announcements go out via stage PA, radio all-channels, staff runners, and Discord/social.
Medical & Safety
Medical
The on-site medical provider’s SOPs govern all medical incidents. Festival staff locate, radio medical, clear access, and keep bystanders back — and never treat beyond their training. This ERP defines only escalation thresholds (when to call 911 / IC).
Safety / Security
Safety/Security SOPs govern fights, theft, ejections, and perimeter. Festival staff observe, radio, document, and do not escalate. Call 911 for weapons, serious violence, or an active threat, and coordinate with the Park County Sheriff.
Assembly & Reunification
Assembly and reunification points are marked on the site map at each key post. If told to evacuate an area, move calmly to the nearest marked assembly point and await staff direction.
- Primary: Main gate / box office area
- Secondary: Central field away from stages and large structures
- Reunification (lost person/child): Medical / Safety HQ
Radio Plan
Primary: Channel 11 — Staff HQ / Incident Command (IC + Weather Monitor)
- Ch 1 — Site Ops
- Ch 2 — Stage Management / Hospitality
- Ch 3 — Volunteers
- Ch 5 — Security
- Ch 7 — Gate / Parking
- Ch 9 — Medical
- Ch 11 — Staff HQ / Incident Command (primary)
- Ch 13 — Psych First Aid / Harm Reduction
- Ch 15 — Harmonic Haven
Even channels (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16) are kept clear as buffers so the critical nets stay separated and free of cross-talk.
Say "EMERGENCY" three times to seize the channel. Keep traffic short: WHO, WHERE, WHAT, WHAT YOU NEED. Life threats: call 911 first, then Command (Ch 11).
Quick-Reference Work Aids
One-page “if this → do that” aids for untrained staff and fast reference. Open the full set to print for binders, or jump to one:
Fire Response
Any smoke, flame, or ignition — grass, structure, vehicle, or cooking fire.
Rain / Road Evacuation
IC/Weather Monitor orders road-preservation egress due to wet dirt roads.
Medical Emergency
Any injury, illness, overdose, heat/altitude issue, or unresponsive person.
Safety / Security
Fights, violence, theft, threats, ejections, or unauthorized entry.
Severe Weather / Cancellation
Lightning, high wind, hail, or a suspension/cancellation call.
Gate / Emergency Access
Emergency vehicles need in/out, or the access road is compromised.
Lost / Missing Person or Child
A child or vulnerable person is reported lost or missing.
Key-Post Binder Map
Store a laminated pack at each key post. Every pack = ERP table of contents + Contact Sheet + all seven work aids.
- Gate / Box Office
- Medical
- Staff HQ
- Crystal Pavilion, Sound Shrine & Bliss Temple FOH
- Production HQ
- Festival Info