Preparing for the Big Game

Dolphin Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins and the Florida Marlins, is one of the busiest sports and entertainment facilities in the nation. With the demolition of the Orange Bowl , Dolphin Stadium also hosts the University of Miami Hurricanes home football games, the annual FedEx Orange Bowl, the Bowl Championship Series game and the World Baseball Classic in 2009 as well as Super Bowl XLIV in 2010. Various other events, including concerts, charity events, car shows and business conferences fill out the year-round schedule.

“Most people think that there is no activity here on non-event days,” says Bill Lowry, Dolphin Stadium’s Senior Director, Security & Access.  “But 200 or more people typically are on premises preparing for an event, and of course, game days attract up to 70,000 fans. There aren’t many days during the year when we don’t have a major event scheduled.”

For the past 13 years, Securitas USA has provided a variety of security services at Dolphin Stadium, helping develop and implement a world-class security program for the high-profile facility.  Securitas USA officers staff four gates which are open daily and two gates which are open after-hours, controlling access using a visitor management system that captures drivers’ license information and photographs visitors entering the facility.  Securitas USA officers also help manage loading dock operations, provide photo IDs for several hundred stadium employees, vendors and contractors, and provide escort and concierge services at the stadium and Marlins management offices.   At least two Securitas USA officers patrol the stadium and parking lots around the clock.

Game Day

On game days, additional duties include assisting with traffic flow as 25,000 or more vehicles enter the stadium gates, and helping escort cashiers transferring proceeds from ticket windows and concession stands to the stadium’s money room.  Joss Cange, Securitas USA site manager at the stadium since 2003, can be found in the state-of-the-art Command Center, along with local police, fire rescue, Guest Services and stadium representatives, monitoring CCTV cameras from an upper deck suite.

“I rely on Joss and his knowledge of stadium and its operations,” adds Lowry, who joined the stadium’s management team two years ago.  “His experience has been particularly valuable as we’ve worked to upgrade our card access and CCTV systems.”

Every National Football League stadium undergoes an annual audit to ensure that proper security protocols are in place, and Major League Baseball and the National Collegiate Athletic Association also regularly conduct audits to ensure that “best practices” and policies are followed at all sanctioned events.  Security requirements focus on maintaining a safe environment for athletes and spectators, and protecting the physical assets of the stadium, but there are countless details involved with accomplishing those objectives.

“The Super Bowl will be held here in 2010, and that event sets the standard for stadium security and emergency management,” says Lowry.  “We’ve already begun planning sessions with the NFL and other law enforcement and government agencies that will be involved.”

With the completion of a $250 million renovation and improvement project in 2007, Dolphin Stadium established its place as one of the world’s premier sports and entertainment venues.  New, expansive areas were added to accommodate a variety of business meetings and private events.  Securitas USA provided security services during construction, and now assists with the increasing number of activities held there throughout the year.

“Every day, Securitas USA officers are the first people visitors see when they come to buy tickets or attend an event,” adds Lowry.  “We’re very happy with the way they represent us and support the operations of Dolphin Stadium.”

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