NCS⁴ NEWS eNewsletter | October 3, 2024

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).

National Marathon and Endurance Events Safety and Security

Forum Discussion Topics Announced

AN EVENT FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING CRITICAL SAFETY AND SECURITY CHALLENGES FACING MARATHON AND ENDURANCE EVENTS

Make plans 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.

The full agenda will be available soon.

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

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

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

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.

In addition to general programming sessions, attendees will be involved in moderated discussions.

The agenda and discussion topics will be announced soon.

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.

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

Dr. Brandon Allen and Dr. Stacey Hall Featured in Publications

Sports Destination Magazine Publishes an Article by Dr. Brandon Allen and Dr. Stacey Hall

The article highlights current threats and emerging trends in sports safety and security and offers venue directors suggestions and resources to assist in mitigating these threats.

Routledge Resources Online - Sports Studies Publishes a Chapter Contribution by Dr. Stacey Hall

This chapter highlights the key components of managing, assessing, and mitigating risks as they pertain to sporting events.

This Week's Must Read from GAMEDAY SECURITY: Weathering the Storm

The latest issue of GAMEDAY SECURITY magazine highlights an article on "Weathering the Storm". Several court-storming incidents rocked college basketball last season. Learn how to strike a better balance between encouraging fan engagement and ensuring a safe environment for everyone. Click the link below to view the magazine and navigate to page 12 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.