Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
setting. Posting event information on their activities via blogs, Twitter, or Facebook
may unintentionally compromise the mission of the special events planning.
OPSEC may be more of a concern for higher profile events. Should an NSSE be
established, the lead agencies may dictate special needs for the OPSEC. During the
creation and recruitment stage of a special events response team, these lead federal
agencies should be contacted to determine if they have additional requirements for
any NSSE OPSEC.
Planners
Planners are the chiefs, commissioners, and department heads who represent the
authority of the department. Once it has been decided that a special event is going
to need the support of emergency managers and public safety professionals, the
planners should begin establishing what resources are needed and how they can
be brought to the event without taxing existing services. A joint meeting with
all involved in the special event should be conducted as soon as possible to begin
bringing the resources needed for the special event. This will help establish what
resources will be needed and who can provide them for the event.
It is important that all stakeholders are present in this meeting so an open dis-
cussion of operational objectives can be discussed, and which groups may contrib-
ute to fulfilling these objectives. By doing this, the groups can hear what others are
bringing and help reduce any unintentional redundancy. If possible, these meetings
should be conducted in person rather than through teleconferencing or Internet
communications. This helps create an open dialogue between people and organiza-
tions and keeps the planners' attention on the task at hand.
Having open communications with the other planners during these sessions is
critical. By having an open dialogue with the other planners, they will be able to
obtain information and true operational status by discussing what is needed and
what can be brought to the special event. If possible, informal meetings with poten-
tial stakeholders for special events should be conducted. These meetings may func-
tion as a means to hear what other agencies are doing and what resources they have.
These simple “meet and greets” may function to help build open communications
between the planners. This degree of familiarity will help the planning sessions for
future special events as they occur.
Managers
Managers are the field supervisors who will supervise operations during the special
event. These may be fire battalion chiefs, police sergeants or lieutenants, EMS shift
supervisors, or foreman of public works. Managers should possess specialized skills
or have shown an ability to function well with the public and with other organi-
zations. Unfortunately, the nature of special events planning requires additional
training and personnel qualifications that not all managers possess. A 30-year
