By Don Roth
In emergency situations, large outdoor spaces are both vitally important and especially challenging.
Evacuations bring large, panicked crowds into open areas where lack of direction can quickly turn into chaos.
Conventional wired PA systems may not serve the immediate needs of response teams: power can be cut off, or the central broadcast station can be inaccessible.
AmpliVox S312 Sound Cruiser vehicle-mounted sound system
Fortunately, portable sound systems overcome these obstacles to provide comprehensive coverage for even large spaces.
Advance planning allows businesses, schools, government facilities, and public venues to have versatile equipment on hand and ready to go for crisis response.
Emergency plans should take into account the following response strategies:
- Mobile Sound
- Wide-Coverage Sound
- Remote-Access Sound
- Handheld Sound
Mobile Systems Drive Your Message
In settings with separated gathering areas, vehicle-mounted sound systems carry emergency instructions wherever needed.
Durable horn speakers can be quickly set up on cars, golf carts, or other vehicles to cope with varying terrain.
(Take your message on the road with the AmpliVox Sound Cruiser. Courtesy of AmpliVox and YouTube.)
They can also be mounted on boats for waterfront areas.
Power comes from the vehicle’s lighter plug or battery, delivering powerful sound as long as needed.
Look for systems with easy-to-mount suction cups and weatherproof horns to work under any conditions.
Wide-Coverage Sound Reaches Large Crowds
When crowds are gathered in parking lots, athletic fields, or other spread-out areas, responders can best communicate with strategic placement of an extra-powerful portable sound system.
Specialty systems can be set-up in moments, operating on rechargeable battery power for wireless convenience.
Single units can cover spaces as big as a football field, delivering clear instructions and maintaining order throughout the evacuation.
Make product selections based on durability, range, and ease of set up.
(For clearer sound from far away or in big indoor spaces get the AmpliVox MegaHailer. Courtesy of AmpliVox and YouTube.)
Remote Access Centralizes Communication
To reach multiple sites from a single command center, consider a connected system of sound systems linked by two-way MURS radios.
Multiple portable speakers can be placed in locations up to a mile apart with radios operating as receivers, which then receive communication from a single source.
Again, speakers should be battery-operated for reliable use in case of power outages or inaccessibility.
(When you need to project clear sound up to a mile away, use the AmpliVox Radio Hailer. Courtesy of AmpliVox and YouTube.)
Handheld Systems Deliver On-the-Spot Messages
When responders are working directly with crowds, handheld megaphones provide convenient and flexible sound amplification.
Lightweight megaphones deliver powerful sound, and offer attention grabbing options like sirens, whistles, and strobe lights to enhance crowd control.
Look for Lithium-Ion rechargeable batteries for long-lasting charges with reduced weight.
Battery charge indicator lights ensure that teams will not run out of power when they need it most.
Overall, emergency sound equipment is a vital investment in any crisis response plan.
Durable portable sound systems dramatically improve communication during evacuations, reducing confusion and directing people to safety.
Selecting the right equipment allows response leaders to execute plans effectively, with the real potential to save lives as a result.
