Mansfield Police and Fire Chief report on new security system at Comcast Center

Mansfield Police Chief Ronald Sellon and Fire Chief Neal Boldrighini presented a report on activities at the Comcast Center in which they discussed a new method for patrolling concerts that includes maximizing communication between police, fire, event EMS, and security officials.

The new system they adopted is called the Incident Command System (ICS), “a standardized, on scene, all hazards incident management approach that” integrates equipment, personnel, procedures under a common organizational structure, enables a coordinated response among various agencies public and private, and “establishes common processes for planning and managing resources,” according to the program’s web page on fema.gov.

In addition to using the ICS model, Mansfield authorities are working with MetroLEC, a regional law enforcement,SWAT team-like unit, using a bomb-sniffing dog to go into the stadium an hour before each show, and providing more supplemental staff.

“We don’t have the numbers yet, but we’re working to build communication with security and we’ve seen tremendous change, and you’re learning all the time and you’re adjusting,” said Sellon, who acknowledged that there are still some kinks to be worked out.

He explained that there is a learning curve with any large-scale change and that they have only had a short time to implement the program, which started in April.

So far this summer, there have been over 500 people taken into custody, 536 medical assistants, 123 transports, 240 fire-related incidents, and 11 duty shift responses from the fire department.

Sellon and Boldrighini said this was on-par with last year, but officials are acting earlier in the night before things get more out of hand.

While discussing that there are still some issues that need to be addressed, the selectmen had mostly praise for the progress they have seen.

“I know you’re doing a great job. You’re making progress and you’re doing it smartly,” said Selectman George Dentino.

At the end of the concert season, officials will do a complete review of the program to analyze their successes and determine how they can adjust things for next year.