Maryland State Fire Marshal
News Release



CROWD MANAGER TRAINING PROGRAM AVAILABLE ON LINE

PIKESVILLE, MD (October 30, 2008) -- State, County, and Municipal Fire Marshals of the State of Maryland jointly developed a web-based Crowd Manager Training Program. The program focuses on occupant safety wherever people gather and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Certificates of completion are available once a passing score is obtained.

All places of public assembly where 50 or more people gather must designate a trained crowd manager to assure safety and compliance with requirements of the State Fire Prevention Code. This training is essential in understanding the importance of Crowd Managers and of their obligation to protect the patrons that are in their establishment.

Assembly operators can help increase their patrons chances of exiting a building fire or other emergency when the Crowd Manager:
Points out the designated exits
Ensures all exits are unlocked and clear of obstructions or storage both inside and outside
Ensures the building occupancy has not exceeded the posted occupant load
Ensures aisles are clear and are a minimum of 36” wide
Ensures fire alarms and sprinkler systems are properly maintained
Ensures that emergency lighting will work properly in case of an outage

Tragedies in the past have lead to the development of codes in order to protect the public. This free interactive program will help you train your employees thereby making you compliant with this essential regulation.

To take the Crowd Manager program simply log on to www.firemarshal.state.md.us and click on Crowd Manager.

Assembly operators should check with the fire authority in their jurisdiction for additional information or questions.

Media contact: Jane W. Edwards, Program Manager; 443-324-0818