OABA Update -by Bob Johnson, OABA President & CEO
Last year at this time, it was the deadly Hurricane IRMA
that walloped the Orlando area causing power outages and now this year, it’s the deadly monster Hurricane Florence that’s wreaked havoc in the IAFE’s Zone 2 states of South and North Carolina, especially with the horrific rains and flooding.
Florida was not spared, Hurricane Michael was devastat-
ing, our fair friends, carnivals and concessionaires have felt both the devastation and economic impact of these storms, with many fairs not opening. Our hearts and prayers go out to them.
Last year’s Florida and Amusement Device Advisory
Committee meeting was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma, but this year’s meeting in Orlando went on as scheduled on September 11th, at the Andretti Speedway. It was nice to see FFF’s Stacy Wade, from Osceola County Fair and Kis- simmee Valley Livestock Show as well as Clark Converse from Pasco County Fair, FFF’s Past President and Hall of Fame recipient, attending this amusement ride safety meeting OABA Chair Jay Strates also attended, as a guest, as did Michael Wood, OABA Trustee and independ- ent ride owner and Charles Panacek, owner of Belle City amusements, who both serve with me on this Safety Advi- sory Committee.
Both our Fair representatives, appointed by current Com-
missioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, serving on this Committee attended this meeting, Cheryl Flood from our State Fair in Tampa and Martha Leverock from Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair as well as other appointees from carnivals and amusement parks and attractions in the State. In addition, Rick Kimsey, Assistant Director for the Division of Consumer Services along with Michelle Faulk and Alan Harrison, who oversee our amusement ride in- spection and safety programs, assisted me, as Committee Chair, run this meeting.
Being that it was September 11th, I received a very nice
note from Rick Vymlatil, who served on this Advisory Board with me on this day back in 2001, that changed America. Rick recalled how we managed to get through this Safety meeting, despite the horror that New Yorkers experienced and put this country on defense of terrorism, forever! We both hoped and prayed that this catastrophic event experi- ence would never happen again in this great America.
We discussed the ASTM F 24 Committee’s work on
amusement ride metal fatigue and corrosion after the fail- ure of the Fireball Ride at the Ohio State Fair in 2017. Michelle Faulk has been asked by ASTM to organize and conduct a special committee of State Regulators, at the upcoming October meeting. This is an honor for Michelle, who I know will do a great job!
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A review of FY 17-18 revealed that
ride permits were down from 2,020 in the prior fiscal year to 1,817 in the most recent fiscal year. Further that there were some 9,046 ride inspec- tions, conducted by 15 State Inspec- tors, of all regulated amusement ride facilities with some 27,742 total defi- ciencies. This meant that 44% of ride inspections had NO deficien- cies, consistent with prior years. However, the number of deficiencies was a concern to both the State and the Com- mittee and was discussed to determine whether this was a result of additional scrutiny due to the Ohio incident by in- spectors or other factors?
While that number was alarming, equally as important
was the number of Stop Operation orders issued, prevent- ing a ride from operating, and what caused some 223 rides among all amusement facilities, not to operate? We found out that some rides were not permitted nor did they have the required liability insurance!
This issue is extremely important to fair management, as
the State mandates liability insurance of all amusement ride owner/operators and secondly, you need to protect your fair and patrons by asking your Fair to be named as additionally insureds on the midway providers insurance policy. A certificate should be issued, naming your fair as additionally insured.
Overall, this past amusement season around the country,
while it’s been very hot and most will tell you that they’ve experienced higher than normal rainfall in many states, which has been challenging, the portable amusement ride safety record has been excellent, given the hundreds of million riders who safely enjoy riding our rides.
Wishing all a blessed Thanksgiving and I hope to see
many of you at the IAFE’s new venue for their convention and trade show, in San Antonio.
FAIRCRACKER-FALL 2018
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