Philadelphia, PA — ETCP certified stagecraft technicians have created a design to bring life-saving utilities including lighting, individual power drops, and oxygen lines straight to hospital beds being constructed in temporary hospitals being constructed in live-event venues. The design was implemented. Wednesday at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. This development comes as cities across the United States scramble to build temporary hospitals for both COVID and non-COVID patients.

“The design provided by the ETCP Certified IATSE technicians allows for the current Army Core of Engineers field design to be modified using entertainment technology to include the life sustaining utilities.” said Michael Barnes, IATSE international vice-president and president of the Philadelphia Stage Local 8.

Barnes continued, “No one is better prepared to solve a dilemma creatively than an entertainment industry professional. ETCP Certified technicians are very well-versed in setting up large volumes of equipment for touring shows in under 12 hours. If we can spread the word that this is a possibility, our hope is that technicians in other communities will have the same opportunity.”

IATSE members and ETCP Certified Technicians continue to be available to work with the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA in arenas and convention centers throughout the country, converting these facilities to field hospitals in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

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The Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) focuses on disciplines that directly affect the health and safety of crews, performers, and audiences. You may become certified through ETCP in the following areas: Rigger – Arena, Rigger – Theatre, Entertainment Electrician and Portable Power Distribution Technician. Now considered ETCP Essential Personnel, candidates may begin testing immediately. Applications may be found at: etcp.esta.org

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is an international union representing over 150,000 members employed in the stagecraft, motion picture and television production, and trade- show industries throughout the United States, its territories, and Canada.

For more information please contact:

Jonas Loeb

IATSE, Director of Communications

For press inquiries please contact: press@iatse.net

General information: comms@iatse.net

or

Meredith Moseley-Bennett

ETCP Certification Manager, etcp@esta.org



