Author: Sam Dores, CVP
FM Issue: November December 2017
Given the changing security landscape in our industry the past few years, no longer is the safety and security of our guests the sole responsibility of one individual or department. Safety needs to be an organizational philosophy at the top of everyone’s mind, and now, more than ever, security must be a collaborative effort amongst every department within a venue, as well as local, state and federal organizations.
According to the director of safety and security at Taco Bell Arena, Tim Deck, “Each department manager and supervisor is a security manager for their realm requiring constant awareness, working knowledge of safety and security processes and procedures, and ensuring this knowledge and commitment translates to well-trained event staff.” While a venue has a focused, specialized security expert and department, all staff need to have that working knowledge and collaborative approach according to Deck.
In an effort to build that approach and ensure everyone has that knowledge, Taco Bell Arena’s security director reviews and discusses a different emergency procedure at every weekly management staff meeting, including day-to-day venue security, event specific policies, evacuation responses, and guest communication. This constant touchpoint brings the emergency policies to daily life as opposed to them living deep within shared computer files. It also allows the full-time staff to stay immersed in the security protocols and truly understand their role if a situation arises. With that knowledge, they can further enhance the annual safety and security training their individual event staff receive, and the venue can have a network of well-prepared, coordinated security managers, which guests can rely on. This shapes that collaborative effort amongst our internal departments that in turn allows us to build upon that approach externally with University and local officials.
Constant communication and collaboration with local officials and organizations is another key to a successful security plan. Building those relationships lets the venue relay necessary information that keeps the building and guests safe, but also allows those local organizations to have a better understanding of the venue’s intricacies. After the Manchester bombing, Taco Bell Arena opened its doors to the Boise Police Department who conducted a full day Bomb Squad exercise and, earlier this year, while the Boise Fire Department conducted HazMat training in the arena and its surrounding locations. This allowed both units hands-on experience in the venue so in the event of an actual emergency, their crew is familiar with the venue’s staff and the layout of the building and the university.
Along with allowing the venue to be used for these trainings, information sharing is critical. Taco Bell Arena provides the event’s Emergency Management Plan, ICS documents and Communications Logs to all external resources working the event and also those that would be responding to a potential incident. Additionally, Boise State University has developed a strong intelligence-sharing network with all state, local, and federal agencies. Their Department of Public Safety has representatives in direct communication with the FBI Executive Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and Idaho Fusion Center, as well as regularly participating in the Boise Area Law Enforcement Information Sharing Group meetings. Without building these relationships and the collaboration and investment from university, local, state, and federal officials, the security approach would not be as successful.
Lastly, there are numerous nationwide programs that can strengthen your venue’s security plan and enhance your collaborative efforts. In April, Boise State hosted a three-day course on Sports and Special Events Incident Management. This training is funded by the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, and taught by Texas A&M’s National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center. The course focused on the response to large-scale incidents and brought together staff from the major venues on campus, the Department of Public Safety, and local first responders including the Police and Fire Departments, Paramedics, Health Department, Fire Marshal, Civil Support Teams, and local FBI Task Force members. This not only helped to fortify internal security policies and procedures, but also helped strengthen those local relationships. More recently, the Department of Homeland Security provided an assessment of Taco Bell Arena’s security methodology, policies, and risks. Both of these free programs are very valuable tools in assessing what any organization needs to do to improve their operations and continue to maintain a safe and secure venue.
While your venue’s safety and security approach absolutely starts with a strong security expert and department, the knowledge cannot stop there. No longer can one department, one training program, or one local law enforcement cover the larger scope of security awareness and measures that are taken. The efforts taken to ensure the safety of our buildings, employees, and guests are paramount and must be formed through strong relationships, information sharing, and a collaboration between all venue departments as well as local, state and federal organizations.
Sam Dores, CVP, is the Director of Client Services for Taco Bell Arena at Boise State University and member of the IAVM Arena Committee.
