World Leader in Amusement Industry Safety Education Unveils New Academy of Amusement Risk Management, Safety & Security (AARMSS)
In response to a recognized need in the amusement industry for specific and in-depth safety education and certification, AIMS International has created the Academy of Amusement Risk Management, Safety and Security (AARMSS), a structured curriculum designed to elevate your program.
Based on the following foundational pillars: Safety, Security, Emergency Management and Risk Management, the AARMSS curriculum is specifically designed to educate and equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage an amusement industry safety, security, and risk management program.
AARMSS courses are unique to the Academy and cannot be found anywhere else in the AIMS International educational network nor at any other amusement industry educational seminar. The courses will be taught by subject matter experts from both within the industry as well as professionals from outside agencies which specialize in the course topics.
“Risk Management and Loss Control are key to the success of any business and the skills necessary for optimal performance should be fundamental in all managers’ growth for a specific industry,” said MJ Brewer, AARMSS Committee Chair.
Safety and Security are the primary focus of year one with the second-year agenda dedicated to Emergency and Risk Management. Students are required to complete all program requirements within a three-year window. In addition to the program curriculum, successful completion of an OSHA 10 class is required prior to the first year with solo work and independent study by the students required between the first and second year, reinforcing the program pillars.
This additional work includes, but is not limited to, select FEMA Emergency Management Institute courses and Academy webinar classes.
The curriculum for the program is based upon the four pillars of study listed below.
- Safety (year one)
- Security (year one)
- Emergency Management (year two)
- Risk Management (year two)
As part of the selection process, candidates must complete an application, show proof of their eligibility (see below) and participate in an admissions interview conducted by AARMSS faculty.
Applications must be submitted in advance of the seminar start date.
Successful program candidates will be awarded one of two certificates; Certified Amusement Safety & Security Associate (CASSA) or Certified Amusement Safety and & Security Professional (CASSP) based on the program requirements below.
Certified Amusement Safety and Security Associate (CASSA)
- Proof of at least 36 months of employment in the amusement industry in a safety-related role OR 36 months of experience in a safety-related role in another industry plus at least 6 months of employment in the amusement industry
- 8.0 CEUs (80 hours) from an approved continuing education provider earned during the two-year program period
- Proof of a high school diploma or equivalent
- Submission of a resume
- Admission Review/Letters of Recommendation/Questionnaire
- Pre-requisite before year one: OSHA 10 Course Completion (will be offered at AIMS)
Certified Amusement Safety and Security Professional (CASSP)
To qualify for the Certified Amusement Safety and Security Professional certification, the candidate must complete the certification requirements listed below. Completion of the program is required within 3 years. Faculty advisor assigned to each student.
Initial Certification Requirements:
- Applicant selects an approved course topic in any of the four pillars of the program (safety, security emergency management, risk management)
- Applicants submit the course synopsis and learning outcomes to AARMSS Committee
- Course is reviewed and approved by AARMSS Committee
- Applicant is assigned a mentor based on AARMSS Committee recommendation
- Applicant meets with mentor a minimum of three times:
- Present outline of presentation to mentor
- Present first draft of presentation
- Present final draft of presentation
- Present course at AIMS International Safety Seminar to a panel of AARMSS Committee members and AARMSS students
- AARMSS Committee members critique the presentation and provide feedback to the applicant
- Successful applicants are awarded the CASSP certification
- Unsuccessful applicants must refine their presentation and present at a future AIMS International Safety Seminar
Renewal Requirements:
- CASSP certification renewal period is 2 years
- CASSP certificate holders must apply for renewal, pay the renewal fee and show a total of 4.0 CEUs earned within the 2 year renewal period
- CASSP certificate holders must volunteer for an AIMS event/program at least once per renewal period. Examples of volunteer work include:
- Teaching courses at the safety seminar
- Serving on a committee
- Writing an article on a safety topic for the Amusement Today AIMS monthly column
- Being a track coordinator for the education program
- Serving as a proctor for certification testing at the safety seminar or other regional outreach events
AARMSS Curriculum
Year ONE Courses:
| MONDAY, JANUARY 13 | ||
| 9:00 | OSHA 101 | Bowe |
| 10:00 | Hazard Identification | Brewer |
| 1:00 | NFPA Life Safety 101 | Garrison |
| 3:00 | Intro to Walkway Safety (Slip & Fall) | Johnson |
| 4:00 | Intro to Walkway Safety (Trip & Fall) | Brewer |
| TUESDAY, JANUARY 14 | ||
| 8:00 | Extreme Operational Excellence | Barnett / Powers |
| 10:00 | Food & Beverage Safety | Hoffman / Wilke |
| 11:00 | Understanding ASTM | Riggleman |
| 1:00 | Modern Day Security Risks | Ruffin |
| 3:00 | Secure Design | McGhee |
| 4:00 | Secure Design - CPTED | McGhee |
| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 | ||
| 8:00 | Developing Security Program & SOP | Ali |
| 10:00 | Security from an Insurance Perspective | Powers |
| 11:00 | Intro to the Safety Act | Ali |
| 1:00 | Venue Security | Ali |
| 2:00 | Patron / Staff Screening Procedures | Ruffin |
| 3:00 | Lessons Learned - Security Incident | Hoffman / Wilke |
| THURSDAY, JANUARY 16 | ||
| 8:00 | Safety Culture | Hoffman / Wilke |
| 10:00 | Emerging Threats and Hardening Tactics | Powers |
| 1:00 | CASSP Presentations | |
| FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 | ||
| 8:00 | CASSP Presentations | |
| 1:00 | Crisis Management Lessons Learned | Powers |
| 3:00 | AARMSS Roundtable | Powers |
| 4:00 | AARMSS Roundtable | Powers |
Year TWO Courses:
| MONDAY, JANUARY 13 | ||
| 9:00 | Insurance & Claims 101 | Powers / Brewer |
| 10:00 | Contracts & Waivers | Jackson |
| 11:00 | Depositions | Jackson |
| 1:00 | Mock Deposition | Yemm / Jackson |
| 3:00 | Incident Response and Incident Investigation | Cargill |
| TUESDAY, JANUARY 14 | ||
| 8:00 | Risk Management 101 | Brewer |
| 9:00 | Team Member Training - Operational Audits | Beard |
| 11:00 | Team Member Training - Developing SOPs | Beard |
| 1:00 | Emergency Planning | Claassen |
| 4:00 | Severe Weather Preparedness | Woodson |
| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 | ||
| 8:00 | Crisis Management - Crisis Communications | Evans |
| 9:00 | Crisis Management - Crisis Communications Team | Evans |
| 10:00 | Crisis Management - Media Relations | Evans |
| 11:00 | Business Continuity Basics | Powers |
| 1:00 | Developing Emergency Response Training Program | Claassen |
| 2:00 | Developing an Emergency Response Table Top Drill | Powers / Ali |
| 3:00 | Table Top Drill Scenario | Powers / Ali |
| THURSDAY, JANUARY 16 | ||
| 8:00 | Crowd Management | Kennedy |
| FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 | ||
| 8:00 | Review for AARMSS test | Claassen / Brewer |
| 9:00 | Test for AARMSS | Claassen / Brewer |
| 3:00 | AARMSS Roundtable | Brewer |
