Safety at special events — always a top concern for park districts — has gone into overdrive since the mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Ill. “The open nature of special events means we can have lots of people in a large area,” explains Paul Timm, PSP, Vice President at Facility Engineering Associates. “As a result, issues such as access control and monitoring become very difficult.

“There’s already an increased level of fear in our society regarding the possibility of violent incidents,” he points out. “And now there’s an even more volatile patron mindset since (and as a result of) the pandemic as well as having agency staff more stressed since (and as a result of) the pandemic.”

But as security awareness and technology improve, so does special event safety, Timm observes. A see-something-say-something mindset helps with reporting suspicious behaviors. Mass notification capabilities continue to improve as more and more agencies incorporate social media into their communication platforms...

Time’s running out on your chance to score some needed funds for safety and risk management improvements at your agency. You could buy a Powerball ticket — but your odds of winning a grant are significantly better than winning the Powerball Jackpot! Your agency can score up to $2,500 in PDRMA’s Risk Management Grant and Recognition Program — and it’s even free to enter. All it takes is a smart idea or two about how to minimize risk at your agency and to submit an entry form by Friday, Sept. 2.

“Now that we’re resuming more ‘normal’ agency activities, we hope members take another look at the job tasks their employees perform and come up with fresh ideas about how best to get them done well — and safely,” says Lindsey Robertson, PDRMA Risk Management Consultant.

Although the grant submission deadline is quickly approaching, Robertson reminds agencies the entries don’t have to be elaborate. “Just solve a safety problem and get it down on paper,” she advises. “It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small — a piece of equipment or a sign in the right place — it’s worth an entry. And you can submit two applications, so you have twice as many chances to earn a grant.” For more information on the submission criteria, download our Risk Management Grant and Recognition Program (768)...

Those scenes in horror movies that portray teenagers entering abandoned houses or buildings can be a real-life horror for park districts facing seasonal closing of facilities. Unoccupied buildings are prime targets for vandalism and/or damage...

Ready to go back to school? PDRMA’s slate of training opportunities for September and October is ready to roll with more opportunities to address basic and emerging issues — plus a special offering for newbie supervisors...