'Mass Gathering' Security Event Held in KOP By PA Homeland Security

As part of preparations to prepare and protect the state and residents from future terrorist attacks, the Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security held a mass gathering event security symposium in King of Prussia on Monday, the Governor's Office announced.

“This event delivered information on preparing for and preventing attacks on mass gatherings and large-scale events," Homeland Security Director Marcus Brown said. “Our training symposia bring together all levels of public safety and the private sector. Just in the last year alone we have seen attacks take place nationally and internationally and this event was very timely for what is going on around the world.”

The event took place at the Sheraton Valley Forge in King of Prussia.

International and national speakers delivered information on preparing for and preventing attacks on mass gatherings and large-scale events to over 600 registered state and local law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, emergency management agencies, universities, schools, minor and major league sports teams, racetracks, festivals, malls, amusement parks and fairgrounds, according to a press release from the Governor's Office.

“We were very fortunate to have speakers with the experience and institutional knowledge to present on topics such as the impact of terrorism on major events’ security; joint hazardous assessment teams; deployments for mass gatherings and the different protective measures a facility should have in place to counter the effects of deliberate attacks and natural hazards on public places,” Brown added, in a statement. “In referencing events from around the world, prevention and protection measures were discussed to reduce the ever present possibility of adversarial threats in mass gathering settings in the commonwealth.”