IAWP First Vice President, Staff Sergeant Margaret Shorter has been involved in the strategic planning of the Olympic Security as part of the International Police Visitation Program, Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit. I will have more on Margaret's duties and her thoughts in a future blog. This is such an integral aspect of the coordination between police agencies I want to ensure I do her work justice in a separate post.
IAWP Second Vice President, Detective Myra James has left her routine duties (only temporarily) as a Detective with the Hamilton Police Service to join the Vancouver Olympic Committee (VANOC )Transportation Team.
Myra travelled out to B.C. back before Christmas. She is has taken up residence with IAWP member Fionna Weller who is also working for VANOC. Myra has started to send updates to her friends and family back home. She has agreed to allow me to share "James Journey" with you on this blog. Myra has told me that I can edit her updates, but the first one is so good I will post it in full.
Thanks to IAWP Region 11 Coordinator, Deputy Chief Leanne Fitch who connected me with another police officer from her area who will be working at the Olympic Games. Constable Lisa Hewison works for Peel Regional Police but will be part of the Peel contingent attending the Olympics. She leaves for the games on February 7 and returns home February 28. Lisa will be assigned duties at Cypress Mountain. We look forward to some photos and thoughts from Lisa.
James Journey - Part 1
Hello Family and Friends,
Here is my first official overview of my first week as a member of the Vancouver Olympic Committee. After driving almost 5,400 km from Hamilton, Ontario to Vancouver, B.C., we arrived at our final destination Dec. 13th. The most challenging component of our journey was our final 300 km from Kamloops to Vancouver. Unfortunately the cloud cover was low, and it was snowing through the mountains so the view was poor and highway conditions less than ideal. I'm staying with a retired Vancouver PD member who has been employed by VANOC (Vancouver Olympic Committee) since last February. Fiona and I have known one another for several years through our IAWP organization. She has a beautiful home on West 13th Ave. on the outskirts of downtown Vancouver. The location is a pleasant walk from West Broadway which is a street that has plenty of shopping, cafes, supermarkets and restaurants which have operational patios even at this time of year. So, I'm really appreciating the close proximity of W.Broadway for pleasant evening walks and the periodic stop at a café or shopping opportunity. Monday Dec. 14th was my first day at the VANOC offices which are about a 20 minute drive from Fiona's. Security is a priority even at the offices, so approximately 25 other new VANOC members were waiting in the lobby to commence orientation. Our entire morning was absorbed with document completion, inspirational videos about the games and our roles with VANOC. Our diverse group consisted of 20 men and 5 women from places such as Russia, New Zealand, Italy and Egypt. There were two of us from Eastern Canada. By afternoon, we were introduced to our Team Managers and the rest of our team. EVERYONE ensured the "newbies" were welcomed and I immediately felt comfortable in this new environment where people are enthusiastic, eager to help one other and offer support. The physical environment is five floors of open office space divided into "pods" of teams with specific responsibilities to the games. I'm attached to the Transportation Team, with specific responsibilities to the Olympic Family Hotels. My title is AVTM = Assistant Venue Transportation Manager and I will be operating out of the Marriott Hotel which will be occupied by IOC (International Olympic Committee) and NOC (National Olympic Committee) members as well as other dignitaries associated to the Olympics. Some of my responsibilities will be to be to ensure the dignitaries transportation needs are met which involves interacting with approximately 40 trained volunteers who will provide transportation in the brand new 2010 GMC vehicles. 4,329 vehicles have been provided by GMC for the games. Each of the volunteers is required to commit 13 - 8 hour shifts to their Olympics experience. One of many of my responsibilities is to develop the volunteer schedule, confirm details with them and ensure the needs of the clients at the Marriott are met. The dignitaries have various levels of accreditation associated to transportation services. Some will have valet status while others will have coach buses to transport them to the Olympic venues. I don't anticipate actually driving dignitaries, rather it's my role to ensure they understand how to arrange for their transportation needs and interact with Fleet Services to facilitate the requests.
Tuesday was absorbed with additional orientation including an introduction to the technology systems (computer programs which are primarily Microsoft Excel and Outlook Express) We learned about the VAPP's which are Vehicle Access Parking Permits which are like GOLD. More on that later. By Wednesday our original orientation group that I was in was dispersed and incorporated into training specific for their areas of responsibility. Some of the training initiatives are associated to liability/risk issues so I had to take a two day training course off site to qualify as a TCP = traffic control person. The training was provided by an independent company under contract by VANOC. So, 15 VANOC members participated in 2 eight hour days full of video instruction, workbook completion, group scenarios, exams and an "on the road" training practical which was very amusing to say the least. We all had to wear these glow in the dark cover alls and hard hats (mine was pink) and actually direct traffic using a hand held stop/slow sign. Fortunately the rain held off during our practical exercise. By Thursday late afternoon I was officially designated as qualified in the province of BC to be a TCP and have the certificate. It's anticipated that I will be providing some training and support to volunteers allocated to the Marriott Hotel.
Friday one of my colleagues that started with me on Monday and I attended an all day training initiative designed for the volunteer drivers. As you can imagine it's important for the AVTM's to know what is expected of the volunteers. We were shown a series of defensive driving technique videos as well as an overview of BC traffic laws and portable radio protocol. Each volunteer had an actual road test so an examiner could observe their driving techniques. 3-4 volunteers went out in a vehicle with an examiner for the afternoon and they drove to all of the Olympic Venues with the exception of Whistler. Each volunteer had an opportunity to drive, use the portable radio and learn the appropriate radio codes. My colleague (Liam) who is also an AVTM at the Westin Hotel and I had a vehicle exclusively, so we visited the venues and since he's from Vancouver he provided an excellent tour of the city and neighbouring municipalities. It was an excellent day! At the conclusion of the day, I made my way to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal on route to Nanimo with my final destination (Chemainus) where I will stay with my 1st cousins on weekends leading up to the Olympics. My first week was full of lots of "first time" experiences for me to add to my inventory of life's adventures. Not even the constant rain put a damper on this experience. Warmly, Myra
Please stay posted for continuous updates on all Canadian IAWP members working at the Olympic Games. Only 27 days to go!!!
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