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SAFETY & SECURITY IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS

As you get ready to come to Hershey in 10 days, please know that safety and security is our collective responsibility.

Each of the facilities we are using is “open,” except for the Giant Center as our events there will be “closed”, There is nothing to restrict the public from entering them. How do we know if an adult/student is associated with our conference? At a first glance, it is your name tag that we look for. All Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference attendees are expected to be wearing their conference name tag at all times during the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference. You will see all the Hershey staff and other hotel staff with appropriate name plates/identification. You will also see the regular hotel staff security on site both uniformed and plain clothes, and you will also see security staff hired by Pennsylvania FBLA to supplement security both day and night. You will see a visible Derry Township police presence, especially visible at the Hershey Lodge. Cameras are monitoring the various facilities 24/7.

Keep an eye out and be aware of those around you.

If you see something suspicious…
for everyone’s safety report it immediately.

You need to know now that:

• Everyone will go through metal detectors to enter the Giant Center.
• If there is a concern at the initial security screening, an individual could be scanned by wand.
• Backpacks and/or large bags are not permitted.
  The size of a small clutch purse will be permitted.
• All bags are subject to search.
• There will be a strong security presence at the Giant Center.
• The Giant Center is cashless. Concessions will be open.

If a FBLA member is found with alcohol or drugs or something illegal or doing something illegal, the police will be called; the FBLA adviser and school principal will be called, and parents will be called and expected to immediately come and retrieve their child. Pennsylvania FBLA will deal with all violations of the Delegate Code of Conduct appropriately. On top of that, all appropriate procedures will be followed regarding prosecution. Pennsylvania FBLA does not take alcohol, drug, and life-safety violations seriously, and they will react swiftly and promptly. Pennsylvania FBLA will not tolerate illegal behavior. They will not tolerate possession of alcohol, drugs, drug paraphernalia; or any other banned substance. Pennsylvania FBLA will not tolerate behavior that threatens life safety.

There will be visible and not visible staff who will be working to keep us safe

To be clear: the Derry township police will be called for any issues regarding possession of or attempt to purchase alcohol; drugs; drug paraphernalia; or other banned substance. Parents and school officials will be called immediately, and the parent or school official will be required to come and get the student and remove him/her from the property.

Please remember that that tobacco, tobacco products, e-cigarettes/vape devices are not acceptable in school, and they are not acceptable at the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference. If FBLA members are caught using or in possession or tobacco, tobacco products, e-cigarettes/vape devices, school officials will be called. It may be requested that the student be removed from the property.

Other Information

1. Part of the safety and security process involved the submission of emergency forms for students, advisers, guests and chaperones.
2. In the event of an emergency, we will be able to push messages out to individuals via the Guidebook conference app. Safety and communication is one of the reasons we want everyone to log on to the app so that we can communicate with you due to conference changing events or emergencies.
3. Should there be a full-blown emergency on site, Pennsylvania FBLA will distribute information to you via the app and other tools. You are the point on contact with your schools. Should you be incapacitated in any way, you provided us with your personal emergency contacts and your school administrator contact information.
4. The Derry Township Police asked me to share with you the following: In the event of a significant emergency, refer to the Derry Township Police Facebook page and X feed for official information. A Crisis Management Center and Phone Bank will be established at the Hershey Lodge to accept calls and answer questions. Information will be distributed via the app, X, PA FBLA Facebook, and other tools how to reach out to that Crisis Management Center regarding questions.
5. There will be a single point of contact for information/statements through a Public Information Official (PIO).
6. There are staff at the facilities that can administer First Aid and operate an AED. If necessary, Dial 911 for emergency medical personnel should there be a significant medical emergency.
7. The Derry Township Police serve all facilities we will be using at the conference. In any emergency, dial 911.
8. Security staff will be at each of the facilities overnight. After curfew, there should be no students in the halls. If students are caught in the halls or the noise level of one or more of your students’ rooms is causing a disruption, the adviser will be contacted by security staff.
9. All food deliveries must be completed by the published curfew. Food deliveries only occur at the lobby; after curfew, only advisers can accept food deliveries in the lobby.

Derry Township Police X: @DerryTownshipPD

Pennsylvania FBLA has been very blessed to not have to deal with any major, conference changing issues in our years in Hershey. Working together as advisers, families, and FBLA members, we will help keep each other safe.

Important Contact Information