Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration Offer Free Anti-Terrorism Training for Municipal and County Parking Professionals
Cities from Coast to Coast Are Taking Advantage of First Observer Training
Media Contact:
Helen Sullivan
703.847.9702 office
703.606.7622 mobile
sullivan@parking.org
FREDERICKSBURG, VA - January 20, 2011 - Terrorists often use
parked cars or trucks to carry, conceal or serve as bombs -- and
for that reason, local government officials are turning to the new,
no-cost, First Observer™ parking-specific training program that
utilizes parking professionals as foot soldiers in the war on
terrorism.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the
Transportation Security Administration, the parking module of First
Observer was developed with the help of the International Parking
Institute (IPI), the largest trade association of the parking
industry. The program supports the National Preparedness Guidelines
of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and administered by the
HMS Company.
An increasing number of local government officials are requiring
their transportation and parking employees to participate in the
training, which is offered at no cost and is available three ways:
as an online training module; as an onsite classroom-style training
session; or as a train-the-trainer workshop.
The First Observer training program, which is entirely funded by
the federal government, 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.
"IPI is pleased to be a catalyst for enhancing the anti-terrorism
skills of municipal and county parking professionals," explains
IPI's Executive Director Shawn Conrad, CAE. "Since the
program was launched, more than 2,000 parking professionals have
earned First Observer certificates, and we expect this number to
increase significantly."
Conrad notes that with several recent terrorism incidents occurring
in urban areas and involving parking areas, front line parking
professionals have an important role to play in keeping our nation
safe.
More information on the training is available on IPI's Web site at
www.parking.org/firstobserver.
Organizations that want to schedule a free training session may
contact IPI Deputy Director Henry Wallmeyer at wallmeyer@parking.org or
540.371.7535, ext. 21.
Founded in 1962, the International Parking Institute is the largest and leading trade association representing the parking industry. Members include professionals from cities, transit and transportation agencies, academic institutions, hospitals, airports, theme parks, corporate complexes, race tracks, convention and sports centers, port authorities, civic centers, architects, engineers, financial consultants, urban planners and suppliers of equipment, products and services to the parking and transportation industry. www.parking.org.
