Pittsburgh's Acrisure Stadium named as FEMA-approved disaster shelter

Acrisure Stadium on Pittsburgh’s North Shore has been selected by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to become a safe haven during emergencies and disasters.

In a statement, FEMA said the stadium will increase its public safety capabilities and become a location for safe storage and shelter for response and recovery activities related to emergencies or disasters.

The stadium is one of four stadiums in the NFL newly designated as a “mission ready venue.”

Agency administrator Deanne Criswell called the partnership a groundbreaking opportunity to help keep communities safe. She hopes similar venues around the country, regardless of sports league or use, can become emergency-related assets in their communities.

“During large-scale emergencies, like the covid-19 pandemic, hurricanes or tornadoes, we’ve seen how large music, sports and entertainment venues can serve as a safe space for communities,” she said in a statement.

Acrisure Stadium — then known as Heinz Field — was used in 2021 as a covid vaccine clinic site.

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Randy Padfield said identifying facilities that can support emergency management functions is an important thing to do before a crisis strikes.

Large sports venues can serve as emergency shelters, staging areas, distribution sites and recovery centers, among other functions. To become designated for five years as a “mission ready venue,” locations have to go through an assessment to determine capabilities for security, accessibility, morale boosting and coordination.

“This designation reflects the role that many stadiums play, not only on Sundays, but especially in times of need,” said NFL chief security officer Cathy Lanier.

Other NFL stadiums receiving the initial designation are MetLife in East Rutherford, N.J.; Lumen Field in Seattle; and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles is under review.