Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
responsibilities. This is not always an easy task and when staffing small groups,
selection of operators should be considered who can facilitate this task.
Special event operators should fulfill the minimum qualifications needed to
conduct the operations determined by the various organizations they represent.
They should also be able to interact well socially, communicate clearly with others,
and have the level of physical fitness required to complete the tasks. Some special
event venues are only within a building, whereas some require extensive walking
through a number of city blocks. When creating a selection pool for these types of
events, the planners and managers should keep these additional considerations in
mind and inform potential candidates for special events operations of these require-
ments. Using letters of reference or interviews may help establish individuals who
have the personality types that can fit well into these groups.
Training
Before any type of special event program becomes operational, it is critical for
established training protocols to be conducted. While special events utilize basic
skills learned during candidacy or new-employee hiring, it also uses skills devel-
oped outside of this initial training. The training needed for special events is depen-
dent on the agency but there are several common training objectives that may be
covered by all agencies.
Foundational training should include training in NIMS courses. Many of
the initial NIMS courses (ICS 100, 200, 700, 800) can be found online through
FEMA's online training website (training.fema.gov) as well as numerous other job-
specific courses. Some of these brief courses are already required in police and fire
departments so that municipalities may apply for homeland security grants. These
basic courses provide information on NIMS and the federal preparedness guide-
lines in place throughout the country. The planners, before establishing special
events groups, may wish to use these quick online courses as basis for consideration
into the groups capable of responding to special events. They may also wish to
require additional online courses that are subject-dependent as prerequisites into
the special event response teams. Other more advanced classes in the ICS series
help round out this initial training with instruction on the numerous NIMS docu-
ments and IAP creation. ICS 300 and 400 are courses taught by various groups.
The DHS Training Consortium does teach them on-site at no cost to the attendees
at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama.
One type of training to consider before establishing a group is a training pro-
gram designed to prepare an individual for special events responses. This could be
a once-a-year program that brings a presentation from each group involved with
special events responses. A brief lecture or PowerPoint session by members of each
group (fire, law enforcement, FBI, public health, public works, etc.) should be pre-
pared and presented to those who are in consideration for the groups. This training
