Little Rock Marathon to host series of event safety trainings

September 18, 2023

/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Little Rock Parks & Recreation, the Little Rock Marathon and University of Central Arkansas are partnering to co-host a series of National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴). The courses are open to event organizers, venue operators, city officials and public safety officials around Central Arkansas.

NCS⁴ is the nation’s only academic center devoted to the study and practice of spectator sports safety and security. Little Rock Marathon Race Director Mike Garrity said NCS⁴ supports the sports and entertainment industries through innovative research, training, and outreach programs.

“Their mission is realized by working closely with a diverse group of organizations and subject matter experts to better understand the threat environment, identify vulnerabilities, communicate risk-mitigation techniques, and close capability gaps,” Garrity said. “While these courses were developed with sports and entertainment as the focus, the information is applicable to any type of event where people gather. It could be a conference, reunion, wedding, trade show or any number of other events. The strategies, lessons and best practices will apply to all of them.”

In 2021, Garrity was selected as the NCS⁴ Professional of the Year for his work with marathons and endurance events across the country.

Course titles, location, and registration information is listed in the chart below. Courses are free of charge, but registration is required. All participants must have a FEMA Student Identification Number (SID) prior to registration. FEMA SID can be obtained by registering at this link.

• Sport and Special Event Risk Management

October 10-11, 2023 | City of Little Rock EOC (7000 Murray Street) Little Rock, Ark.
Register Here: https://my.teex.org/TeexPortal/?MO=mClassRegistration&D=LS&C=AWR167&S=354

• Sport and Special Event Evacuation and Protective Action
  November 7-8, 2023 | City of Little Rock EOC (7000 Murray Street) Little Rock, Ark.
  Register Here: https://my.teex.org/TeexPortal/?MO=mClassRegistration&D=LS&C=MGT412&S=295
• Sport and Special Event Enhanced Risk Management and Assessment
  December 5-6, 2023 | City of Little Rock EOC (7000 Murray Street) Little Rock, Ark.
  Register Here: https://my.teex.org/TeexPortal/?MO=mClassRegistration&D=NE&C=MGT466&S=110
• Sport and Special Event Public Information and Emergency Notification
  January 16-17, 2024 | Brewer-Hegeman Center (UCA Campus) Conway, Ark.
  Register Here: https://my.teex.org/TeexPortal/?MO=mClassRegistration&D=NE&C=MGT467&S=102
• Crowd Management for Sport and Special Events
  March 26-27, 2024 | Brewer-Hegeman Center (UCA Campus) Conway, Ark.
  Register Here: https://my.teex.org/TeexPortal/?MO=mClassRegistration&D=NE&C=MGT475&S=59
• Sport and Special Events Incident Management
  April 9 – 10, 2024 | Brewer-Hegeman Center (UCA Campus) Conway, Ark.

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About Little Rock Marathon

The mission of the Little Rock Marathon is to provide a premier event open to athletes of all abilities, while promoting a healthy lifestyle through running and walking and raising money for Little Rock Parks & Recreation. Since its inception in 2003, more than $1.3 million has been donated to Little Rock Parks & Recreation. Little Rock Marathon Race Weekend is held the first weekend in March each year and includes a marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K run/walk, a children’s mile and a free two-day health and fitness expo. With an estimated $3 million in local spending annually, more than 320,000 individuals have participated in a Little Rock Marathon race, event, or free training program.  This has been achieved through school-based programs, community outreach, partnerships with running/walking groups across the country and passionate grass roots promotion.

About Little Rock Parks & Recreation

Little Rock Parks and Recreation oversees 63 developed parks and twelve undeveloped parks totaling over 6,100 acres.  In addition, the Little Rock Parks & Recreation offers a wide-range of youth and adult recreational and sports leagues, after-school and summer playground programs for children ages 6-15, outdoor recreation, therapeutic recreation and programs for seniors.  Funds raised will continue to support parks and recreational programs for all ages. For more information about Little Rock Parks & Recreation please visit www.lrpr.org.