Loading

NCS⁴ NEWS e-newsletter | August 18, 2022

The NCS⁴ Publishes Industry Report on Professional Sports Venue Security Issues, Emerging Threats, and Technology Solutions

The sporting world faces unique challenges when returning to play following a global pandemic, and many leagues, teams, and venues are exploring ways to maintain or improve their security operations. The purpose of this survey is to explore professional sports venue security issues, emerging threats, and technology solutions. Information gleaned from this study will assist venue directors in policy development, increase awareness of technology solutions, identify resource needs, and address training gaps to help protect human, physical, and cyber assets. Click the link below to view the report.

2022 Marathon and Endurance Events Forum Announced

An event focused on addressing critical safety and security challenges facing marathons and endurance events

The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will host the 2022 Marathon and Endurance Events Safety and Security Forum on December 6-7, 2022, in Long Beach, MS. 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.

WHO WILL BE THERE: Event planners/operators, administrators and staff from marathons, half-marathons, 10K, 5K, and endurance events, law enforcement personnel, emergency managers, fire/HAZMAT, emergency medical/health services, city planners, governmental representatives, sports commissions, and invited Solution Partners.

Here's what people are saying about the Forum

We have very limited space for this event, and registration is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. For additional information or to register, please visit the event website by clicking the button below:

Companies that provide products or services to the sports safety and security industry may only attend the Forum as Solution Partners. For information about becoming a Solution Partner for this event, please contact Sara Priebe, NCS⁴ Event and Membership Manager, at sara.priebe@usm.edu or 601-266-6858.

The NCS⁴ Instructors Gather at the Center for Training

The NCS⁴ hosted 43 instructors at the Center for ”Train the Trainer” seminars the week of August 1 at the Trent Lott National Center on the campus of The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. The purpose of the events was to 'train up' both seasoned and new instructors on two DHS/FEMA-funded courses.

On August 1-2, a group of 23 instructors trained on the MGT-412: Sport and Special Event Venue Evacuation and Protective Actions course and updates.

The NCS⁴ training team and MGT-412: Sport and Special Event Venue Evacuation and Protective Actions course instructors

On August 3-5, another group of 20 instructors trained on the new MGT-475: Crowd Management for Sport and Special Events course. The course introduces public safety officials, venue operators, event planners, and community stakeholders to key concepts and considerations for crowd management, control, and dynamics.

The NCS⁴ training team and MGT-475: Crowd Management for Sport and Special Events course instructors

Instructors will begin delivering both courses in person next month. For more information on either of these courses or other training offered by the NCS⁴, click the link below.

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

Now Scheduling DHS/FEMA-Funded Training Courses

The NCS⁴ is offering seven safety and security courses in a face-to-face format. Each course is designed to be interactive and allow individuals to become more confident in their ability to identify, prevent, and manage incidents. The key principles that individuals will learn range from risk management, evacuation messaging, threat prioritization, and communication. Each class is presented in a face-to-face format that requires 8 hours each day for two consecutive days unless otherwise noted.

You can learn more about each of these courses by visiting the NCS⁴ website or by clicking on one of the following courses below:

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

If you are interested in attending or hosting a training course, please email us at NCS4train@usm.edu.

NCS⁴ Staff Present at MASRO Conference

Jonathan Ruffin and Brooke Graves

Brooke Graves, Senior Training Manager, and Jonathan Ruffin, Training Manager, presented on ”Risk Management for After-School Activities” at the Mississippi Association of School Resource Officers Annual Conference (MASRO) on July 15 at the IP Casino Resort and Spa on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

NCS⁴ Staffer Set to Begin Doctoral Program at Southern Miss

Jonathan Ruffin, Training Manager

Congratulations to Jonathan Ruffin, NCS⁴ Training Manager, on being accepted into graduate school at The University of Southern Mississippi's School of Leadership. Ruffin will begin coursework this fall on a Ph.D. in Human Capital Development with an emphasis in Instructional Technology and Design. Way to go, Jonathan!

The NCS⁴ Team Welcomes New Graduate Assistants

Two new graduate assistants joined the NCS⁴ staff this week for the upcoming school year. They are Enzo F. Ferreira and Allie Eubanks.

Enzo F. Ferreira and Allie Eubanks

Enzo F. Ferreira is a Graduate Assistant for the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security, assisting mainly with research. Before joining the NCS⁴, Ferreira earned his bachelor's degree in Sport Coaching Education with a minor in Sport Management from The University of Southern Mississippi. During his undergraduate studies, Ferreira had the opportunity to experience intercollegiate athletics, serving as a Student Manager for the Southern Miss Softball team. A Brazil native, Enzo also volunteered as an International Student Ambassador, sharing his experience at Southern Miss and helping the international student community with the application process and adaptation at the university.

Allie Eubanks is a Graduate Assistant for the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security. She assists in events, outreach, and marketing. Eubanks is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Professional Accountancy (MPA) at The University of Southern Mississippi. Before joining the NCS⁴, Eubanks received her bachelor’s degree in Accounting with a minor in Management from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. While pursuing her degree, Eubanks worked as an accounting intern at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS.

Welcome to the team!

Stadium Spotlight: Connected Devices and Integrated Security Considerations Available

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently released Stadium Spotlight: Connected Devices and Integrated Security Considerations in collaboration with the NCS⁴. The product provides stadium owner operators and security professionals with a snapshot of the connected stadium environment, key vulnerabilities and consequences, and recommended enterprise- and asset-level risk mitigations, and points stakeholders to relevant CISA and NCS⁴ tools and resources.

This product presents resources and recommendations that stadiums can leverage to better secure their connected assets and augment their overall security and resilience. To access the product, click the button below.

In addition to reviewing the Stadium Spotlight: Connected Devices and Integrated Security Considerations, CISA also encourages critical infrastructure executives and senior leaders to review our “Shields Up” webpage at www.cisa.gov/shields-up. Also, organizations should share information on incidents and unusual activity to CISA 24/7 Operations Center at report@cisa.gov or (888) 282-0870 and/or to the FBI via your local FBI field office or the FBI’s 24/7 CyWatch at (855) 292-3937 or CyWatch@fbi.gov.

ICYMI: Summer 2022 issue of GAMEDAY SECURITY available

This issue covers topics at the forefront of our industry, including crowd management challenges and planning strategies, staff recruitment, training and retention, and the impact of legalized sports gambling on safety and security.

Upcoming Events Scheduled

2023 Intercollegiate Athletics Forum

Details coming soon!

2023 Annual Conference Dates Announced

The 14th annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition will take place June 27-29, 2023, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas. The gathering of top safety and security professionals across multiple disciplines provides a versatile and intimate environment dedicated to innovative technologies, products, services and educational programming. Please mark your calendar and make plans to join us! Full conference details will be released later this year.

Finley Stadium evacuated after fight during Best of Preps jamboree

An incident occurred just as the final period of Saturday night's Best of Preps jamboree began. According to an official release from the Chattanooga Police Department, officers and on-site security were monitoring pedestrian traffic within Finley Stadium when they noticed a large gathering under the concourse. Read more

Safety, security bolstered at LLWS

After two years, Little League® International is welcoming back its fans in full capacity to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Little League Baseball World Series through Aug. 28. To ensure the best safety and security of hundreds of thousands of visitors and the hundreds of players and volunteers at the series, Little League International has implemented a new gate and clear bag policy. Read more

Suffolk man living his dream as security supervisor for favorite NFL team

A Suffolk man is rising in the ranks of sports security. Suffolk Native Geral ‘Bishop’ Staten volunteered as an announcer for the King’s Fork High School basketball teams, and now he’s landed his dream job with the Baltimore Ravens. Staten went from the biggest Ravens fan out there to Staff Security Supervisor of the Service Level at M&T Bank Stadium. Read more

Brewers, Cubs fans come to blows in wild MLB bleachers brawl

The Milwaukee Brewers faced off against the Chicago Cubs on July 4, but the real fireworks took place among brawling fans in the bleachers. During the Brewers’ eventual 5-2 win, several fans apparently weren’t feeling the national unity of Independence Day as they came to blows. According to one onlooking fan, the altercation stemmed from three trash-talking Cubs fans donning a black shirt, red sweatshirt and blue shirt. Read more

PSU spent $500K on police overtime at 2021 football games

Penn State University paid $572,119 for officers from five Centre County police departments to work overtime at football games last year, according to data from the agencies. Police departments in the Borough of Bellefonte, Ferguson Township, Patton Township, Spring Township, and the Borough of State College all provided security detail and traffic assistance during the seven regular-season games at Beaver Stadium in 2021. Read more

With fewer local cops, U.S. Bank Stadium will seek off-duty officers from outside Minneapolis

The Minneapolis Police Department, hit with a wave of retirements and resignations since the murder of George Floyd, can no longer provide enough off-duty officers to work Minnesota Vikings games and major concerts at U.S. Bank Stadium. Read more

World Cup to use drones to help protect stadiums

Man-to-man marking will be paired with drone v drone security at this winter's Fifa World Cup in Qatar. Unmanned aerial vehicles that shoot nets to bring down small "rogue" drones will help defend venues. Read more