NASCAR Security Recommends Race Tracks Host First Observer Training www.privateofficer.com

Charlotte NC Feb 16 2011
NASCAR’s managing director of security, Gerald Cavis, U.S. Secret Service (Ret.), has recommended that security and other staff at all NASCAR track facilities participate in the First Observer™ parking-specific, anti-terrorism training program that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration developed in partnership with the International Parking Institute. The NASCAR Season begins this weekend with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway at 1:00 pm on Feb 20.

Cavis explains: “I have encouraged all NASCAR track facility security directors to take advantage of this outstanding grant-funded program to train their stadium staff. I also discussed First Observer at our annual NASCAR summit in Concord, North Carolina, in January. With First Observer, each of our track security directors and staff will have the opportunity to build their skills to detect crimes, safety violations and terrorist threats. As a result, they will be better prepared to keep NASCAR fans safe.”

The First Observer training program, which is entirely funded by the federal government and available at no cost, trains parking professionals to address five critical security areas: on-street, surface parking lots, garages/decks, special events, and shuttle operations. First Observers recognize and report potential threats using a concise, accurate and simple communications process.

For more information on NASCAR recommending the First Observer training, read the full media release.

More information on the training is available on the First Observer page of the IPI website. Organizations that want to schedule a free training session may contact IPI deputy director Henry Wallmeyer at 540.371.7535.