Natural disasters, terrorist threats and shooting incidents are increasing in frequency and can occur anywhere, including our public parks and recreational facilities. Three Naperville Park Districtstaff members will share their training, tips and resources on preparing for and handling catastrophic events in parks at the 2015 Congress of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in Las Vegas on Sept. 16.
The workshop, entitled, “What to Do When It Hits the Fan,” will present simple techniques to help protect staff and patrons in an emergency situation. The session will include information on how park and recreation staff can act as part of an emergency response team. Participants also will experience training exercises simulating a crisis situation.
Park District presenters include Director of Human Resources Katie Sepe, Director of Parks Kevin Finnegan and Park Police Chief Carl Schnibben.
Director Sepe will speak on creating human resource policies that can help ensure a safe workplace; Director Finnegan will present methods for designing and securing public facilities; and Chief Schnibben will address staff education and preparation.
“Having been through disaster response training as a leadership team, staff wanted to share this valuable experience with other park and recreation professionals,” explained Executive Director Ray McGury, who, prior to his seven-year tenure at the Park District, spent 28 years in law enforcement and served as Chief of Police for the Bolingbrook Police Department. “There is much that a park district can do to ensure a safer environment for our citizens and this is something of interest to other agencies across the country.”
