The Lincoln (Neb.) Public School District is inviting the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) to spend a few days with district administrators and law enforcement to prepare for the worst at sporting events.
“Interscholastic sports is an important part of what we do and when we have events, we have significant crowds,” Joey Sturm of NCS4 told KOLN. “We face all kinds of natural hazards and intentional acts from humans and technological problems that may just be accidents. We need to think about these things and try and prevent them.”
The training has been planned for two years but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but with the spate of school shooting this year, administrators say it's needed now more than ever.
“It just reinforces we have to be deliberate in regard to planning,” said Kathi Wieskamp, LPS director of athletics and activities. “We have to be on alert and aware that anything could happen at any time and we can’t get complacent.”
The training will cover active shooter situations, as well as other dangerous situations like weather incidents.
“For example a heat-related event, when humidity is high, by adding misting tents, selling water at reduced rates, those kinds of things,” Sturm said.
After this training, school districts from the surrounding area will be invited to attend a second session. The goal is to get as many schools that the district competes with in athletics trained up.
