Weather Protocol Overview
All TBU staff/coaches should be receiving lightning alerts from Perry Weather (Alerts sent out when lighting is within 8-mile radius). The My Lightning Tracker app should also be downloaded by all TBU staff/coaches and used as a secondary method of monitoring lightning. ALL TBU players, parents, and staff MUST evacuate the field of play and go to their CARS immediately in an orderly Fashion when they are asked to clear the fields when lightning is inside the 8-mile radius. Our full current lightning policy for each campus is available below. Please make sure you have reviewed it for both Ed Radice and Monroe. Heat Policy Extreme heat can impact players’ health and safe play. Proper hydration and knowing when you need to drink are critical, to help prevent many injuries and illnesses, from muscle cramps to heat stroke. We will be following US Soccer’s Heat Guidelines to determine if it is unsafe to practice/play based on the current conditions at that time. These guidelines are available here
Full Lightning Protocol by Campus
- TBU Site Director and/or ATCs will be in charge of the Ed Radice facility with
respects to all Lightning Protocol decisions. - All TBU staff/coaches should be receiving lightning alerts from Perry Weather
(Alerts sent out when lighting is within 8-mile radius). The My Lightning Tracker
app should also be downloaded by all TBU staff/coaches and used as a
secondary method of monitoring lightning. ALL TBU players, parents, and staff
MUST evacuate the field of play and go to their CARS immediately in an orderly
fashion when they are asked to clear the fields when lightning is inside the 8-mile
radius. - Ed Radice Park is also equipped with the Perry Weather Lightning Detection
System. If the Horn sounds (two long blasts followed by audible messaging),
then it is unsafe to be on the fields and ALL TBU players, parents, and staff
MUST evacuate the field of play and go to their CARS immediately in an orderly
fashion. If the light on top of the TBU office is flashing, then the horn has
sounded and it is unsafe to be on the fields. - The area in front of the concession stand, the picnic areas, the gym, and the
covered turf are NOT areas that people are allowed to stay underneath, and they
are not areas that are safe from lightning strikes. Seek shelter when lightning is
inside the 8-mile radius! - If a TBU Staff member or coach feels the area is unsafe, then he or she
should clear the fields regardless if the Perry Weather system has sounded
or not. Safety is our first concern with inclement weather!
Remember for every Lightning strike, add on an additional 30 min per strike. The
Perry Weather system has a countdown timer that should be followed. - When the area is clear to return to play, an all-clear alert will sound from the
Perry Weather system (Short blasts followed by an audible message that
players can return to the fields).
- TBU Site Director and/or ATCs will be in charge of the facility – if staff member
clears the field based on the lightning detection protocols in place, all members
MUST IMMEDIATELY clear the fields, with staff sending athletes to CARS first,
and or a safe covered area as instructed by TBU Staff. - All TBU staff/coaches should be receiving lightning alerts from Perry Weather
(Alerts sent out when lighting is within 8-mile radius). The My Lightning Tracker
app should also be downloaded by all TBU staff/coaches and used as a
secondary method of monitoring lightning. ALL TBU players, parents, and staff
MUST evacuate the field of play and go to their CARS immediately in an orderly
fashion when they are asked to clear the fields when lightning is inside the 8-mile
radius. - If lightning is 8 miles or closer, the fields should be evacuated and players,
parents, and staff will be sent to their CARS or a safe, covered area as instructed
by TBU Staff. - An air horn or whistle will be sounded by the Staff member in charge of that
facility or a staff member will communicate to each coach that it is unsafe and to
evacuate the fields. - Remember for every lightning strike, add on an additional 30 min per lightning
strike. The Perry Weather system has a countdown timer that should be followed.
Athletes will return to the field of play when the countdown timer on the Perry
Weather system for Monroe Middle School or Wesley Chapel District Park has
reached zero.