Title
2024 NCAA Men's Final Four Update
Description
This report provides the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee with an update on NCAA Final Four events and security.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
City of Phoenix department representatives, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), and other stakeholders have been meeting and planning for months in preparation for hosting the 2024 NCAA Men's Final Four events in the City of Phoenix. The Greater Phoenix region last hosted this event in 2017.
The Phoenix Convention Center will host the Final Four Fan Fest, while Margaret T. Hance Park was selected to host the outdoor March Madness Music Festival. Other venues in the City’s downtown core that will be used to support the Final Four include Heritage Square and downtown hotels.
Public safety staff from the Fire and Police departments as well as the Office of Emergency Management and the Homeland Defense Bureau have been working with other partners, the LOC, and Downtown Phoenix, Inc. to develop a comprehensive safety and security plan. These planning efforts include the development and participation in several tabletop exercises designed to test and strengthen event security plans. An NCAA organized exercise took place on Feb. 21, 2024, and another exercise including City staff took place on Feb. 28, 2024. The purpose of these exercises is to reinforce the following objectives:
- Provide for the safety and security of the community.
- Provide a safe and secure environment to host all events.
- Provide a framework for collaboration and information sharing among stakeholders throughout the region.
Currently, there are no known threats for the Final Four and related events. Enhanced measures have been implemented in cyber security and critical infrastructure protection. Community outreach and awareness efforts are currently underway throughout the City and across the region.
In partnership with the regional public safety group, the City of Phoenix's All-Hazard Incident Management Team has developed a robust and comprehensive safety and security plan. This model is enhanced by the combined partnerships at the local, county, state, and federal levels and will ensure a safe, secure, and successful Final Four.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays, Deputy City Manager John Chan, the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Phoenix Convention Center, and the Police and Fire departments.