Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
typically plan for potential events or catastrophic responses. For them, many of
the planning phases are for events that may occur, rather than an actual event that
will occur. Special events present a known specific event that creates an extra stress
on the resources of a municipality beyond normal expectations. Planning for these
special events in advance can help alleviate the burden on municipal resources that
would occur during a special event.
Should an incident occur during a special event, a lack of planning would
create an unpleasant and hazardous environment for those attending the event.
Therefore, it is critical for emergency managers and public safety professionals
to analyze potential issues associated with special events to help create a secure
venue for these special events. Fiscally responsible emergency managers and public
safety professionals may consider the benefits of the following analysis to help plan
and prepare for special events, which are applicable to all municipalities—from
densely populated urban areas to small and sparsely populated villages throughout
the country.
Special Event Types
When thinking about special events, the first thought that comes to mind are large-
scale festivals such as the Olympics or 4th of July celebrations. These special events
require significant planning by emergency managers and public safety profession-
als. An acceptable definition of a
special event
should be determined. Many different
types of events may qualify as a special event, but what constitutes a special event
is partially determined by the emergency managers and public safety professionals.
An event may be determined as a special event for a number of reasons: who is
in attendance, what the event represents (e.g., a protest rally or march), the signifi-
cance of the event for the city or community, etc.
Special events may occur in a certain area because of yearly celebrations or
festivals, such as the 4th of July celebrations or county fairs. They may also occur
because of championship games for sporting events. Another possibility is digni-
tary visits to an area (e.g., a congressman or foreign ambassador). All of these events
fulfill the broad definition of special events, yet they all require significantly differ-
ent planning considerations. Emergency managers and public safety professionals
can use the same basic considerations for each of these events and then augment the
planning process as needed to fulfill the objectives.
Certain events that occur throughout the United States qualify as National
Security Special Events (NSSEs) and are deemed of particular importance. These
large-scale incidents of national significance bring a large amount of media atten-
tion, political importance, and high crowd densities, and present a significant threat
for homeland security and counterterrorism experts. When an event is designated
as an NSSE, the Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) take lead roles in managing the event.
