WEST FARGO, N.D. – A local park district has taken part in a security threat assessment with an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The West Fargo Park District heard a follow-up report from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a federal agency that helps communities strengthen the safety and resiliency of their public spaces and infrastructure. The district participated in a pair of voluntary assessments over the course of the past year.
“We chose to take part in these assessments proactively because we consistently view our parks through a safety lens,” West Fargo Parks Executive Director Amy Zundel said. “Our parks are community-owned assets, funded by taxpayers and relied on by families, children, and visitors every single day. We want them to remain safe, welcoming, and resilient long into the future.”
One of the assessments looked at park spaces and facilities. The SAFE assessment, or Site Assessment for Facilities and Environments, looks at how a space functions from a safety and security standpoint and identifies ways to enhance readiness.
The other looked at infrastructure. The IST assessment, or Infrastructure Survey Tool assessment, provides a picture of resiliency and evaluates how well a facility aligns with national security best practices and provides guidance for continuous improvement.
Zundel said the assessments were useful for the district.
“These reviews help us confirm the areas where we are performing well, identify opportunities to enhance our approach, and ensure that we are building parks that can withstand and adapt to the evolving challenges communities face today,” she said. “It is part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding the people who use our spaces and protecting the long-term investment our community has made in them.”
