Managing risk at the World Junior A

Added on: 2008-10-17

Planning a week long event like the World junior A Hockey Challenge isn't all about fun.
Someone has to take any risks, seen and unforeseen, into account. Everything from a building fire or stampede to ice on the sidewalks.
It's the job of Mike Keleman to oversee that all the steps are taken to make sure staff, fans and players can enjoy the event without concerns for safety. Since the bid was launched it has been his job to make sure insurance is in place in case of emergencies, escape plans are coordinated and even where else the challenge can be held in case there is a problem with the facilities.
"Really, it's all about numbers," Keleman said. "The arena itself has its own insurance. The concern for us is to make this event as safe as we can and have plans ready in case of anything going wrong. We have insurance, plans for getting ice off the sidewalks, making the surfaces inside slip-free, even making sure the players are safe when they are not on the ice."
He added the City of Camrose already has their own fire escape plans and Hockey Canada has its own insurance for when the players are on the ice.
A major component in risk management is making sure there isn't a potential for harm by not introducing any threats, eliminating concern altogether. One example he used was open flames. There won't be any candles or torches allowed in the building to stop the threat of an open fire. If there is a fire escape plans are well prepared and staff and security have been briefed on the plans and routes to lead spectators to.
In the event there is damage to the building structure there is a plan to move the entire event to another location.
"We have places in mind, say Leduc, Stettler or Wetaskiwin, somewhere close so we can move it quickly and keep the show going," he stated. "The challenge will not be cancelled or stopped if there's a structural problem. We've planned for every step of the process."

Karen McKinley
Staff Reporter, Camrose Canadian