Vail Police offers free Securing the Slopes sessions for Worlds

The Vail Police Department, in partnership with the Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL), a non-profit institute, is continuing a series of free public safety trainings to help law enforcement enhance community safety in preparation for the 2015 Vail-Beaver Creek Alpine World Ski Championships to be held next Feb. 2-15.

The schedule for the “Securing the Slopes” workshops is as follows: 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the Eagle County Paramedic Services station in Gypsum, 785 Red Table Dr.; Tuesday, Dec. 16 at the Eagle County Paramedic Services building in Edwards, 1005 Edwards Village Blvd.; and 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2 in the Grand View on the third level of the Lionshead Welcome Center in Vail. The workshops are limited to the first 45 participants.

As the World Championships approach, Vail Police Chief Dwight Henninger says that one of the best ways to ensure the community continues to be safe is to provide critical prevention and preparedness training that extends to the public, businesses, vendors, special event staff and other personnel involved with the Town of Vail, Eagle County, Vail Resorts and the Championships.

“Securing the Slopes” is part of the CELL’s Community Awareness Program™(CAP™), a U.S. Department of Homeland Security-approved public-safety training initiative designed in accordance with the nationwide “If You See Something, Say Something™” campaign. This training has been recognized by the federal government as a best practice and is based on the CELL’s successful “Recognizing 8 Signs of Terrorism™” video narrated by Denver Bronco’s legend John Elway. The program has been successfully implemented at large sporting events including Coors Field, Pepsi Center, Winter X Games, Major League Baseball All-Star game and the USA Pro Challenge.

Instructors at the trainings will include Vail Police and Vail Mountain public safety professionals and staff from the CELL. “Securing the Slopes” is part of a series of programs that will be held throughout 2014 and 2015 to develop the understanding by the public and first responder communities prior to the Championships.

To sign up for any of the upcoming sessions, contact Vail Police at 970-479-2210 or email vpdrecords@vailgov.com. Registration is required.