NCS4 to Facilitate Weather Planning Workshop in Jackson

The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) will facilitate the Weather Planning for Sport Events Workshop March 8 at the at the Mississippi Center at Jackson State University's E Campus.

The training will educate officials and security of sport venues and special events on how to prepare for severe weather affecting operations, while also providing the opportunity for sport venue managers to prepare and/or enhance a weather plan. Instruction will be presented by three trainers, including NCS4 director Dr. Lou Marciani and will focus on four key objectives, including:

*How weather can impact your sporting events

*How to prepare for weather related events

*How spectators will react to the notification of severe weather

*How best to evacuate the sporting event

“When you're dealing with protective actions in large events, it's much more different to manage large groups in weather conditions, and this training will help organizations to be all hazardous prepared and help to develop a comprehensive emergency plan,” said Dr. Laura Myers, research professor in the Social Science Research Center at Mississippi State University and an instructor for the workshop.

Among the organizations and institutions scheduled to participate include the Mississippi Braves, Southern Miss, University of Mississippi, Mississippi State, Delta State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Alcorn State University and Jackson State University.

Established in 2006, The National Center for Spectator Sports and Security specifically focuses on research, education, and outreach efforts in sport event security providing an interdisciplinary academic environment to further increase sport security awareness, improve sport security policies and procedures and enhance emergency response through evacuation, recovery operations and crowd management training.

For more information about NCS4, call 601-266-6183 or visit www.ncs4.com.