OABA UPDATE………………….…………by Bb Jhno, OB reiet ad CO o o sn AA P sdn n E
Florida‘s Amusement Device Advisory Committee Meets at Disney
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Ser-
vices who oversees the State’s Amusement Device and Attraction Advisory Committee met on September 11, at Walt Disney World’s Boardwalk Convention Center in Orlando, to discuss the Inspection Statistics for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 and to discuss other mat- ters. Serving on this Advisory Committee from the Fairs
and carnivals are Charlie Pesano (State Fair Author- ity), Martha Leverock (Greater Jacksonville) and Bob Hohenstein (Miami-Dade) as well as Andy Deggeller (Deggeller Attractions), Charles Panacek (Belle City), Jimmy Strates (Strates Shows) and Billy Castigliola (Amusements of America). Other members include representatives from the large theme parks and smaller amusement attractions. This was Martha’s first meeting since being ap-
pointed by Commissioner Adam Putnam. There were several guests attending this meeting as they are open to the public, among them was Clark Converse (Pasco County Fair), who we were glad to see and participated in the discussions. As Chair of this Committee for the past five years, I
invited the guests to join the Committee members at the main table as many of our carnival folks did not make this meeting due to their active Fairs in other States. Representing the State were Alan Harrison, Chief,
Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection and Michelle Faulk, Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection, who prepared the Agenda and recorded this meeting for future, official ―Minutes.‖ The primary topic of discussion was to re- view the Ride Inspection Statistics from July 1 last year through June 30th this year. The highlights of his report, which I believe all the
Florida Fairs should be aware of, was that the Bureau inspected 9,493 amusement rides and attractions, up slightly from last year, with 15 full time inspectors. They issued 129 Stop Orders, down considerably from a high of 513 in 2004-2005, which are mainly for mechanical/structural issues. A credit to the amuse- ment industry and the high attention and focus on ride safety in the State of Florida. Of all their inspections they continue to average about 40% of inspections without any deficiencies and the State issued close to 1,700 permits to operate rides. The State also received 17 complaints from con- sumers, which were investigated and resolved and they issued some 20 complaints for the fiscal year, with two amusement companies receiving fines.
35 Overall, the carnival amuse-
ment industry received 89 of the 129 Stop Orders due to mechani- cal and structural issues. Most of these include missing items, im- proper alignment, damaged, worn or not properly installed, crack, corrosion, breaks, bent assembly components, etc. Clark confirmed with the State
that all Fair general managers receive a copy of the State’s inspection report of their carnival and they can call the State at any time to get a record of any carnival’s inspection reports. Overall, the State of Florida has excellent, trained
inspectors and history of being cooperative with both carnivals and Fairs in the interest and safety of our fair patrons during Fair
season.As these meetings are open to the public, I hope to see some of you at our next meeting at the Florida State Fairgrounds, in Tampa on Wednesday February 6, starting at 10 AM in the Equestrian Pavilion. Charles Pesano, our gracious host is always good for a ―free lunch‖ for all attendees.
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