Security and Risk Assessment for Facility and Event Managers

Part of managing a facility or event of any kind is providing a safe experience for the patrons. Managers at all levels must educate themselves and prepare their organizations to confront potential threats ranging from terrorism and mass shootings to natural disasters and cybercrime. Security and Risk Assessment for Facility and Event Managers With HKPropel Access provides security frameworks that apply to all types of facilities and events, and it will help current and future facility and event managers plan for and respond to threats.

The purpose of this text is to provide foundational security management knowledge to help managers safeguard facilities and events, whether they are mega sport events or local community gatherings. Presenting an overview of security principles and government policies, the text introduces an all-hazard approach to considering the types and severity of threats that could occur as well as the potential consequences, likelihood, and frequency of occurrence. Readers will be walked through a risk assessment framework that will help them plan for threats, develop countermeasures and response strategies, and implement training programs to prepare staff in case of an unfortunate occurrence.

Security and Risk Assessment for Facility and Event Managers addresses traditional threats as well as evolving modern-day threats such as cybercrime, use of drones, and CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives) incidents. It also offers readers insightful information on the intricacies of managing security in a variety of spaces, including school and university multiuse facilities, stadiums and arenas, recreation and fitness facilities, hotels and casinos, religious institutions, and special events.

Practical elements are incorporated into the text to help both students and professionals grasp real-world applications. Facility Spotlight sidebars feature examples of sport facilities that illustrate specific concepts. Case studies, application questions, and activities encourage readers to think critically about the content. Related online resources, available via HKPropel, include nearly 50 sample policies, plans, and checklists covering issues such as alcohol and fan conduct policies, risk management and evacuation plans, bomb threat checklists, and active shooter protocols. The forms are downloadable and may be customized to aid in planning for each facility and event.

With proper planning and preparation, facility and event managers can prioritize the safety of their participants and spectators and mitigate potential threats. Security and Risk Assessment for Facility and Event Managers will be a critical component in establishing and implementing security protocols that help protect from terrorism, natural disasters, and other potential encounters.

Higher education instructors! For maximum flexibility in meeting the needs of facility or event management courses, instructors may adopt individual chapters or sections of this book through the Human Kinetics custom ebook program.

Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is included with all new print books.

Stacey A. Hall, PhD, is the executive director of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) and professor of sport management at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), where she developed a graduate-level emphasis in sport security management for the master's program. In her role as executive director of NCS4, Hall oversees training and education, research, and outreach initiatives to promote the safety and security of facilities and events.

Hall's expertise is in the area of sport safety and security management, and her research has been published in many journals on sport management, homeland security, and emergency management. She has coauthored or authored numerous textbooks on sport facility and event management, crisis communications, and emergency response and recovery. As one of the nation’s leading experts in sport security, she has been interviewed by USA Today, ESPN the Magazine, and CBS New York and has presented at international and national conferences, including as a contributing expert to the first international sport security conference in Doha, Qatar, in 2011. She was named a VenueNow Women of Live recipient in 2021. 

Hall has been the principal investigator on various projects funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; these were used to develop a risk management curriculum for sport security personnel at NCAA institutions, conduct risk assessments at college sport stadiums, and develop training programs for sport venue staff. She has also been involved in several service projects, including security planning for a K-12 school district and development of a post–Hurricane Katrina disaster mitigation plan for the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority.

James A. McGee, PhD, is an associate professor of criminal justice at William Carey University. He holds a bachelor of science degree from California Polytechnic State University, a master of science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a specialist degree in higher education administration from William Carey University.

McGee has 25 years of law enforcement experience, more than 20 of which he spent as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) addressing international security issues, counterterrorism investigations, foreign counterintelligence, computer crimes, crisis management, critical infrastructure protection, risk assessments, tactical operations, and homeland security initiatives. During his FBI tenure, McGee was assigned to four FBI field offices, the Critical Incident Response Group (Hostage Rescue Team), FBI headquarters, and the U.S. Embassy in Athens, Greece. He held several leadership positions, including as security coordinator for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games. He has received numerous awards, including the FBI Shield of Bravery, the FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievement, the FBI Medal of Valor, and the U.S. Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Heroism.

He is also the award-winning author of Phase Line Green: The FCI Talladega Hostage Rescue (2009) and is the coauthor of multiple textbooks.

Walter E. Cooper, EdD, is a professor emeritus and the director of the interscholastic administration program at William Carey University. Cooper has extensive experience as a higher education administrator. With expertise in training and organizational development, he has vast experience in both the public and private sectors.

Cooper served as director of training at the University of Southern Mississippi’s National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4), where he was responsible for training trainers and controlling quality for implementation of 80 training workshops nationwide. He also served as a senior consultant for Atlanta Consulting Group, where he facilitated teamwork training for Fortune 500 companies.

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Cooper participated in numerous U.S. Department of Homeland Security Projects by writing and facilitating grants in the area of sport event security management. He has partnered with associates in developing FEMA courses and training of trainers for a wide range of venues. He also served as an evaluator of trainers for Louisiana State University’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training and as the external evaluator for an emergency planning grant at Texas A&M University. Cooper has extensive experience as a higher education administrator.