First time I've ever been evacuated from a casino (1 Viewer)

[ohio3302016]

So I was in downtown Cleveland yesterday for the Cavs parade / rally. I got there about 7AM and there were already people everywhere. I hung out at the beginning of the parade route near the Q. I was very happy I chose this spot. The entire parade took over 4 hours. It took about 90 minutes for the parade to pass me.

Afterward, I bolted straight to the casino. I figured I would just watch the rally on TV there. I end up getting into a 4/8 limit game in the poker room with a flat screen right in front me with the rally being broadcast. They also had the audio on. Right after the rally ended a flood of people came up the escalator into the poker room. I just figured it was people leaving the rally and looking to get out of the heat.

Right away I knew something was wrong. The people looked panicked and they were trying to find an exit at the rear of the poker room. The poker room in Cleveland is on the 3rd floor and there isn't an exit out the back way. Minutes later the floor bosses are running around and locking all the boxes on the tables. Soon after that the cops come up the escalator and tell everyone that have to get out now. It was crazy! People didn't know what to do. They were like "What about my chips!" and the floor just shrugged and said you have to leave now. I had about $220 in front of me and I just stuffed them all into my pockets. Everyone was padded down on the way out.

It turns out that a 13 year old girl was shot twice in the leg about a block away. The cops thought that the shooter fled the scene and was trying to hide in the casino (this turned out to be false). The shooter was eventually apprehended. It was a 15 year old.

One big thing I learned in a situation like this is that the vast majority of people panic. Any information you get from someone claiming to know what happened is likely false. You're best off remaining calm, listening to the cops and staying in one place as opposed to moving around.

 

[BGinGA]

One big thing I learned in a situation like this is that vast majority of people panic. Any information you get from someone claiming to know what happened is likely false. You're best off remaining calm, listening to the cops and staying in one place as opposed to moving around.

In general, that's good advice for pretty much all of life.

 

[ohio3302016]

In general, that's good advice for pretty much all of life.

The other thing I did was go directly to twitter and start following the Cleveland Police Department. They were tweeting updates and it was accurate information.

 

[Irish]

One big thing I learned in a situation like this is that the vast majority of people panic.

x billion

There was a minor earthquake on the east coast about 5 years ago, I believe it was centered down in Virginia or North Carolina, about 5-6 magnitude but it was "deep" quake that we felt pretty well all the way up in NJ. I was working in Newark at the time in one of the taller buildings in the financial area on the 14th floor, we went for a pretty good ride. Most of the hi-rise buildings in the area were evacuated, and when we got downstairs the streets were pretty crowded. No major damage, no one hurt, just a bit of a scare - and people still lost their minds, panic set in reeeaal quick. Cops were doing there best trying to keep things in order, but it got to the point where many had their weapons out and were starting to detain people. I've always been a bit of a prepper (mostly just the good lessons learned from my scouting days), but witnessing that day play out was eye opening.

 

[ohio3302016]

Two main reasons I think people were so panicked...

The Orlando shootings. I think everyone had that on their mind as this was going down. People immediately assume the worst.

People with family / kids (once I got onto the street, not in the casino obviously). I was there by myself so it was easier for me to remain calm. I do believe I would have been crazy worried had I had my kids with me.

 

[bentax1978]

x billion

There was a minor earthquake on the east coast about 5 years ago, I believe it was centered down in Virginia or North Carolina, about 5-6 magnitude but it was "deep" quake that we felt pretty well all the way up in NJ. I was working in Newark at the time in one of the taller buildings in the financial area on the 14th floor, we went for a pretty good ride. Most of the hi-rise buildings in the area were evacuated, and when we got downstairs the streets were pretty crowded. No major damage, no one hurt, just a bit of a scare - and people still lost their minds, panic set in reeeaal quick. Cops were doing there best trying to keep things in order, but it got to the point where many had their weapons out and were starting to detain people. I've always been a bit of a prepper (mostly just the good lessons learned from my scouting days), but witnessing that day play out was eye opening.

I remember that one. We were in the Science Museum at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore at the time. I felt it something weird and mentioned it to my wife. However, there was also an exhibit there at the time that included a giant model of a heart as part of a circulatory system demonstration. She assured me that was I was hearing/feeling. A few seconds later it became obvious that it was something else as the giant wall of windows were eating next to starting to shake a little. Nothing too scary, more of an odd sensation and experience than anything. There wasn't mass panic (or any panic) around us, but that might have been because most people weren't sure exactly what was happening.

 

[Poker Zombie]

People don't react well in difficult circumstances. People with training fare better - provided whatever is happening can be put into context of their training. Since It's impossible to train for every conceivable life or death situation, I use a simple blanket emergency plan:

• If firemen are jogging/moving at a quick trot, don't ask them what's going on, just get the fuck out of their way.
• If firemen are running at an all-out sprint, don't ask them what's going on - just start running in the same direction.

If cops are running, it's because the Dunkin' Donuts is having a sale.

 

[MegaTon44]

x billion

There was a minor earthquake on the east coast about 5 years ago, I believe it was centered down in Virginia or North Carolina, about 5-6 magnitude but it was "deep" quake that we felt pretty well all the way up in NJ. I was working in Newark at the time in one of the taller buildings in the financial area on the 14th floor, we went for a pretty good ride. Most of the hi-rise buildings in the area were evacuated, and when we got downstairs the streets were pretty crowded. No major damage, no one hurt, just a bit of a scare - and people still lost their minds, panic set in reeeaal quick. Cops were doing there best trying to keep things in order, but it got to the point where many had their weapons out and were starting to detain people. I've always been a bit of a prepper (mostly just the good lessons learned from my scouting days), but witnessing that day play out was eye opening.

 

[Irish]

View attachment 45882

LOL - pretty much. Though we definitely felt it more 14 floors up, the whole building swayed back and forth several feet for a few minutes, enough that the blinds were banging against the windows. I remember one my co-workers had a deathly fear of dying in an earthquake, she flew down 14 flights of stairs in record breaking fashion.

The earthquake was followed up by Hurricane Irene the following week, than a nasty nor 'easter & ice storm later that fall around Halloween.

Sorry for the thread jack, back to your regularly scheduled programming...

 

[Wils]

I read somewhere that in an emergency situation there are three kinds of people:

• People who remain calm. If you follow them, you live. They increase their own and others chances of survival.
• People who are trapped by indecision and are paralysed by the situation. You can't follow them, they just stay where they are.
• People who say "follow me" and look like they know what they're doing, but don't. Their actions actually lessen their own and others chances of survival.

I guess the trick is to spot who's who...

 

[ohio3302016]

I read somewhere that in an emergency situation there are three kinds of people:

• People who remain calm. If you follow them, you live. They increase their own and others chances of survival.
• People who are trapped by indecision and are paralysed by the situation. You can't follow them, they just stay where they are.
• People who say "follow me" and look like they know what they're doing, but don't. Their actions actually lessen their own and others chances of survival.

I guess the trick is to spot who's who...

Everyone listened to the cops in terms of the evacuation. Once we got on the street it was a different story. Most people fell in the third category.

 

[Wils]

I'm glad things turned out okay though. Thoughts are with the girl and her family.

 

[detroitdad]

I'm sorry. I keep reading the title as such "I evacuated in a Casino". I hope you used the restroom

 

[detroitdad]

People don't react well in difficult circumstances. People with training fare better - provided whatever is happening can be put into context of their training. Since It's impossible to train for every conceivable life or death situation, I use a simple blanket emergency plan:

• If firemen are jogging/moving at a quick trot, don't ask them what's going on, just get the fuck out of their way.
• If firemen are running at an all-out sprint, don't ask them what's going on - just start running in the same direction.

If cops are running, it's because the Dunkin' Donuts is having a sale.

A couple of weeks ago I was dealing with a large drug addict that was being volatile with staff and myself. Its not often that I'm on a call where I think it will go bad. This was one of those times. While I'm trying to deal with the situation a nurse comes up to me and starts asking questions about the incident which was giving him an audience and causing even more problems. I had to very firmly tell her to leave.

 

[ohio3302016]

I'm sorry. I keep reading the title as such "I evacuated in a Casino". I hope you used the restroom

Depends.

 

[DJ Mack]

Depends.

I guess that's one way to get through a marathon poker tournament.

 

[AllinBallin]

People don't react well in difficult circumstances. People with training fare better - provided whatever is happening can be put into context of their training. Since It's impossible to train for every conceivable life or death situation, I use a simple blanket emergency plan:

• If firemen are jogging/moving at a quick trot, don't ask them what's going on, just get the fuck out of their way.
• If firemen are running at an all-out sprint, don't ask them what's going on - just start running in the same direction.

If cops are running, it's because the Dunkin' Donuts is having a sale.

One question..why would you run in the same direction as the firefighter? Wouldn't you expect they would be going in the direction of the emergency?

 

[12thMan]

One question..why would you run in the same direction as the firefighter? Wouldn't you expect they would be going in the direction of the emergency?

I think it's because, from my experience, when responding to an emergency paramedics and firefighters do not run at full clip. When I was younger and would see responses to accidents or people in trouble I always thought it was incredibly odd that the firemen or paramedics didn't pull up sliding to a stop and jump out at a full sprint to the patient; instead they pull up, quickly get out and walk briskly, sometimes that half walk-half run thing. I'm assuming that training and procedures tell them that if they sprint to a patient and then break their ankle they are no good to that patient/emergency and create a fucked situation inside another fucked situation.

I am not a firefighter or paramedic so I can only assume, but I think what PZ means would be:

Firefighters walking quickly with determination= they are going somewhere to help, get the fuck out of the way

Firefighters sprinting= they are running away from something, all training is out the window, you would be wise to follow them. Quickly.

 

[AllinBallin]

I think it's because, from my experience, when responding to an emergency paramedics and firefighters do not run at full clip. When I was younger and would see responses to accidents or people in trouble I always thought it was incredibly odd that the firemen or paramedics didn't pull up sliding to a stop and jump out at a full sprint to the patient; instead they pull up, quickly get out and walk briskly, sometimes that half walk-half run thing. I'm assuming that training and procedures tell them that if they sprint to a patient and then break their ankle they are no good to that patient/emergency and create a fucked situation inside another fucked situation.

I am not a firefighter or paramedic so I can only assume, but I think what PZ means would be:

Firefighters walking quickly with determination= they are going somewhere to help, get the fuck out of the way

Firefighters sprinting= they are running away from something, all training is out the window, you would be wise to follow them. Quickly.

Ahh makes total sense and something to remember!

 

[Trihonda]

I think it's because, from my experience, when responding to an emergency paramedics and firefighters do not run at full clip. When I was younger and would see responses to accidents or people in trouble I always thought it was incredibly odd that the firemen or paramedics didn't pull up sliding to a stop and jump out at a full sprint to the patient; instead they pull up, quickly get out and walk briskly, sometimes that half walk-half run thing. I'm assuming that training and procedures tell them that if they sprint to a patient and then break their ankle they are no good to that patient/emergency and create a fucked situation inside another fucked situation.

I am not a firefighter or paramedic so I can only assume, but I think what PZ means would be:

Firefighters walking quickly with determination= they are going somewhere to help, get the fuck out of the way

Firefighters sprinting= they are running away from something, all training is out the window, you would be wise to follow them. Quickly.

Yup, as a former firefighter/paramedic... Sage advice.

Think 9-11. picture the firefighters sprinting away from the collapsing towers. Yup, you see that, run. Likely, you'll run faster, as it's hard to run in turnout gear (fire boots/pants).

 

[DJ Mack]

I think it's because, from my experience, when responding to an emergency paramedics and firefighters do not run at full clip. When I was younger and would see responses to accidents or people in trouble I always thought it was incredibly odd that the firemen or paramedics didn't pull up sliding to a stop and jump out at a full sprint to the patient; instead they pull up, quickly get out and walk briskly, sometimes that half walk-half run thing. I'm assuming that training and procedures tell them that if they sprint to a patient and then break their ankle they are no good to that patient/emergency and create a fucked situation inside another fucked situation

Yes but it's more than just injuring yourself due to careless running - it's about the danger of the scene itself. Cops and firefighters are trained to always size up and assess the situation before they do anything and then continuously assess from there. If you're sprinting to an injured patient you're going to have tunnel vision. Why is that person bleeding profusely? Couldn't have anything to do with that man with the knife standing 10 feet away could it? Why is that person laying on the ground unconscious on a beautiful sunny day? Damnit, maybe it has to do with the 5kV electric line dangling at chest height that your corpse just bumped into as you rounded the corner.

I've been known to be a bit of a dick at routine traffic accidents because folks don't realize just how dangerous those scenes can be. You pull up and position the car to protect the scene and start checking injuries. The first lady in the back answers "are you or anyone in your vehicle injured?" with a full recitation of how the accident happened, starting with where she was a half hour ago, which I immediately cut off with "no worries, I'll get to that later just sit tight here for now while I check the other vehicles." Then as I move on to the next vehicle she gets out to continue the story oblivious to the passing traffic. That usually gets a roar - now I'm agitated. It's nothing personal but I've got three more cars to check for injuries and I don't need you wandering into traffic in a state of shock, which is why you're not hearing a word I say until I yell at you. Until that scene is completely safe and all parties accounted for nothing else matters.

 

[12thMan]

Think 9-11. picture the firefighters sprinting away from the collapsing towers.

This is actually the exact picture I had in my mind when I was posting, what an incredibly indelible image I will think of for the rest of my life. The only reason I didn't use the example was because, well, everybody was running, but just something about seeing those firefighters running and the looks on their face...incredible.

Yes but it's more than just injuring yourself due to careless running - it's about the danger of the scene itself. Cops and firefighters are trained to always size up and assess the situation before they do anything and then continuously assess from there.

Makes complete sense.

And yeah, isn't it amazing when people get into a mode of literally not being able to see past their nose? We are strange creatures.

 

[slisk250]

 

[slisk250]

 

[Poker Zombie]

You pull up and position the car to protect the scene and start checking injuries. The first lady in the back answers "are you or anyone in your vehicle injured?" with a full recitation of how the accident happened, starting with where she was a half hour ago, which I immediately cut off with "no worries, I'll get to that later just sit tight here for now while I check the other vehicles." Then as I move on to the next vehicle she gets out to continue the story oblivious to the passing traffic.

I literally teared up laughing at this one. Well, laughing and facepalming, because I've met this lady several times before.