NCS4 to Facilitate Weather Planning Workshop

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

The training will educate officials and security directors and staff of sport venues and special events on how to prepare for severe weather that affects operations.  It will also be an opportunity for sport venue managers to prepare and/or enhance a weather plan.

 Trainers for the workshop will focus on four 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 a 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 prepared and 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. Myers' research expertise includes a focus on people's perceptions and reactions during natural disasters.

NCS4 is partnering with the National Weather Service on the training. Institutions scheduled to participate in the training include the Mississippi Braves, Southern Miss, University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, 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.