NCS⁴ NEWS eNewsletter | October 31, 2024

Register Now

National Marathon and Endurance Events Safety and Security Forum

Time is running out! Register now and join NCS⁴ for the 2024 National Marathon and Endurance Events Safety and Security Forum on December 3-4 at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront in Virginia Beach, VA. The objective of the Forum is to address key safety and security challenges facing marathon and endurance events and to share best practices for continuous improvement.

Road races and other participatory sports events attract large numbers of athletes and spectators, making safety and security a top priority for race organizers, public safety, and host communities. These high-profile events give rise to a host of potential risks and threats that must be addressed to ensure the safety and security of people, property, and infrastructure.

Agenda highlights

The Forum agenda is now available on the event website. Forum programming will include moderated sessions, panels, and breakout discussions on topics relevant to today's ever-changing security landscape.

In addition to general programming sessions, attendees will be involved in moderated discussions in the following areas:

• Training for Staff and Volunteers
• Extreme Weather Preparedness
• Medical Considerations
• Communication Systems
• Crowd Management and Control

In an increasingly unpredictable world, race organizers must prepare for a wide range of risks, from severe weather to security threats and health concerns. This session explores how ‘getting left of bang’ empowers event leaders to strategically use the time available to mitigate risks, protect participants and spectators, and maintain the event’s role in serving the community. Through proven strategies and best practices, you’ll learn how to stay ahead of emerging threats and build resilience into your race planning.

This panel discussion will address the critical elements of safety and security collaboration in marathon events with a comprehensive review of the Little Rock Marathon. This session will provide a detailed case study of the Little Rock Marathon, highlighting the collaborative efforts that have successfully ensured the safety and security of participants, spectators, and staff.

As marathons attract thousands of participants and spectators, a comprehensive approach involving diverse stakeholders is essential. This panel will bring together experts from various fields, including law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire services, and permitting, to explore effective event safety and security strategies. Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the critical importance of collaboration in ensuring the safety and security of marathon events.

Using the 2024 BOLDERBoulder Race as a case study, panelists will provide lessons learned and share recommendations for conducting tabletop exercises, and the conversations they create. The session will provide participants with an overview of the multidisciplinary exercise used in preparing BOLDERBoulder stakeholders for risks at the 2024 race. Key topics of discussion: Risk Assessment, Exercise Planning, Exercise Execution, Exercise Outcomes, and Lessons Learned and Other Considerations.

WHO WILL BE THERE: Event planners and operators, administrators and staff from marathons, half-marathons, 10K, 5K, and endurance events, law enforcement, emergency managers, fire, HAZMAT, emergency medical services, city planners, government officials, and sports commissions.

Private sector companies may only attend the forum as Solution Partners. Examples of private sector companies include event staffing, video/access management, perimeter security, consultants, lawyers, integrators, etc.

The Forum runs for two full days, starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, December 3. We have very limited space for this event, and registration is based on a first-come, first-served basis. The hotel room block ends on Tuesday, November 5. Visit the event website to learn more, register now, and book your hotel.

Thank you to our Solution Partners!

For information about becoming a Solution Partner for this event, complete this form or contact Sara Priebe, NCS⁴ Event and Membership Manager, at sara.priebe@usm.edu or 601-266-6858.

National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum

discussion topics announced

Make plans and join NCS⁴ for the 2025 National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum on January 28-29, 2025, at Duke University in Durham, NC. The objective of the Forum is to address key safety and security challenges facing intercollegiate athletic programs and to share best practices for continuous improvement.

Collegiate athletic programs and venues attract a large number of athletes and spectators, making safety and security a top priority for venue operators, public safety officials, and local communities. Discussing current issues and exploring solutions in a forum environment will help colleges and universities, athletic conferences, and associations enhance safety and security plans and operations.

The Forum runs for two full days, starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28.

The agenda will be available soon!

In addition to general programming sessions, attendees will be involved in moderated discussions in the following areas:

• Extreme Weather Preparedness
• Crowd Management and Control
• Communications
• Event Staff Management
• Perimeter Security and Access Control
• Incident Reporting and Documentation

WHO WILL BE THERE: Athletic administrators and staff from NCAA Division I, II, and III institutions, athletic conference administrators, football bowl administrators, NCAA representatives, campus law enforcement, local and state law enforcement, facility managers, government officials, emergency managers, fire/HAZMAT, emergency medical services, city planners, governing bodies, and sports commissions.

Private sector companies may only attend the forum as Solution Partners. Examples of private sector companies include event staffing, video/access management, perimeter security, consultants, lawyers, integrators, etc.

We have very limited space for this event, and registration is based on a first-come, first-served basis. The hotel room block ends on Monday, December 30. Visit the event website to learn more, register now, and book your hotel.

Thank you to our Solution Partners!

For information about becoming a Solution Partner for this event, complete this form or contact Sara Priebe, NCS⁴ Event and Membership Manager, at sara.priebe@usm.edu or 601-266-6858.

NCS⁴ Hosts Course in Susupe, Saipan, North Mariana Islands

Last week, the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) conducted a course delivery of the Sport and Special Event Public Information and Emergency Notification (MGT-467) and the Crowd Management for Sport and Special Events (MGT-475) at the Saipan World Resort in Susupe, Saipan, North Mariana Islands. These are the first courses that the NCS⁴ has conducted in the Mariana Islands.

This course represents a cooperative effort between The University of Southern Mississippi’s National Center for Spectator Sports Security and Safety (USM/NCS⁴) and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service - Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service - TEEX National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center (TEEX/NERRTC), a member of The Texas A&M University System.

NCS⁴ Hosts Research Seminar Series with Dr. Andy Rudd

In this presentation, Dr. Rudd discusses how fan aggression has become a problem in sports. He provides insight into the relationship that team identification has on spectator aggression and offers a non-traditional approach to reducing aggressive fan behavior.

NCS⁴ Publishes Industry Research Report

Venue Security Director Survey

This study aims to explore professional sports venue security issues, emerging threats, and technology solutions. Information gleaned from this study will assist venue security directors in planning and policy development, venue operations, and technology utilization. The survey consisted of 53 questions related to venue demographics, staffing, training and development, facility operations, fan behavior, and technology solutions. The online survey was administered to venue security directors hosting professional sports teams from Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL), and the National Hockey League (NHL).

This Week’s Must Read from GAMEDAY SECURITY: The VIP Treatment

The latest issue of GAMEDAY SECURITY magazine highlights an article on “The VIP Treatment.” Protecting high-profile individuals can be a full-time job for some safety and security professionals; others do so less frequently. Either way, communication and advance work are vital to success. Click the link below to view the magazine and navigate to page 17 to read the article.

NCS⁴ eLearning Options

The NCS⁴ eLearning platform, NCS⁴ LEARN, provides opportunities for individuals and organizations to access asynchronous professional development opportunities. Current offerings include the following:

• NEW! Frontline Staff Foundational Skills
• Venue Staff Training
• Crowd Manager Fundamentals
• Senior Leader Course: Sports and Entertainment Security

Please visit the website or contact us at NCS4Learn@usm.edu if you have any questions or would like to inquire about bulk registration.

Click one of the links above or the button below for details or to register.

The NCS⁴ is the only organization that offers a certification recognizing expertise in sport security management. Earning the Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP) designation sets you apart from other professionals and highlights your dedication to remaining current with industry trends. Professionals in the sports security industry need to have a firm grasp of public safety measures and understand how to apply those measures in the unique environments created by sports venues and events. The CSSP certification validates expertise in the following domains:

• Business and Facility Management
• Emergency Planning
• Emergency Management
• Legal and Regulatory
• Crowd Management
• Security Principles and Practice

The CSSP certification is awarded to individuals who meet experience, education, and professional reference criteria and pass an exam relevant to sports safety and security management. It is maintained through ongoing continuing education and industry contribution requirements every three years.

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Venue/Event Security Directors/ManagersVenue/Event Operations Directors/Managers
• Law Enforcement
• Emergency Managers
• Private Security Practitioners
• Fire/HAZMAT
• EMS
• Other Sports Safety and Security Leaders

BENEFITS

• Expand security knowledge and experience
• Strengthen relationships with peers
• Broaden career opportunities
• Demonstrate a commitment to professional development

IMPORTANT LINKS

• CSSP Application Process
• Senior Leader Course: Sports and Entertainment Security
• See the CSSP Candidate Handbook for eligibility, application, exam preparation, and recertification details.

For more information, visit the website by clicking the button below or contact CertificationSupport@usm.edu.

Fundamentals of Crowd Safety Course

NCS⁴ and GKStill International have partnered to jointly offer the Fundamentals of Crowd Safety online E-Learning course to address capability gaps in crowd behavior and sciences. Professor Dr. G. Keith Still, Visiting Professor of Crowd Science at the University of Suffolk, developed this certified, accredited course. The course offers an 8-hour online interactive experience designed to teach the essential elements of crowd safety and crowd risk analysis. The course is especially valuable to event organizers, as it ensures that those who complete it are compliant with the NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code — specifically, the areas of section 12 of the code that require a venue to provide a crowd manager trained in crowd management techniques for occupancies exceeding 1,000.