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One of the more pervasive problems faced by IDPA match directors is not having enough safety officers. Typically, only a very small percentage of competitors volunteer to serve as safety officers at non-sanctioned IDPA matches. This is true whether the match is a monthly match, or one held weekly. As a result, a relative handful of dedicated volunteers are being overworked and are burning out. This is both unfair to the volunteers, and a loss to IDPA in general.

The reason many people give for not serving as a safety officer is a lack of training and experience. PSC-IDPA and a master class IDPA shooter have teamed up to provide a unique training opportunity that will allow any IDPA shooter to become an active and valued member of a core group of safety officers for PSC-IDPA monthly matches. If we could recruit a safety officer corps of only twenty (20) men and women, then each of them would be called upon to work only one match every five (5) months. Obviously, they could work more matches if they wish.

Steve Vandermolen has kindly agreed to offer a 3 hr. safety officer training class at the PSC Shooting Club, Inc. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008 from 9:00am until noon. The class will consist of classroom and range time and it will cover IDPA rules and how to safely and efficiently run shooters, squads and bays in PSC-IDPA matches.

While SOs certainly must know the IDPA rules in order to properly work a match, doing so efficiently requires much more than a knowledge of the IDPA rules. Steve's class will cover techniques for running squads/shooters efficiently, while making sure the competitor doesn't feel rushed.

Please note, this is not an IDPA SO School. This is a program designed for shooters wishing to serve as match safety officers at the monthly PSC-IDPA matches held at PSC Shooting Club, Inc. This class will not certify SOs to work IDPA sanctioned matches like regionals and state championships. Whether other local clubs will "honor" the PSC-IDPA safety officer class for their non-sanctioned matches is unknown, but the monthly PSC-IDPA matches are growing and the need for additional safety officers is reaching the critical point.

This is a chance to get involved with running of the PSC-IDPA monthly matches and help them grow. If you would like to attend this safety officer class, please send an email to me at Charles@TexasShooting.com.

Thanks,
Chas.

What a great idea and opportunity!

What an excellent idea and opportunity!


I would encourage anyone with an interest in IDPA to avail themselves of this unique chance to "give back".

As an IDPA Safety Officer....I can attest to and support Charles' statements above. I am happy to serve others in any way that I can, but it does become "trying" after a while...when a club has only a few S.O.'s!

To all those involved in planning and participating in this event, I say... "Good on Ya", and thanks!

Wish I lived down there; I would love to get that training. Unfortunately I am too far away. :-( Thanks for doing that Steve!

I will do my very best to clear that weekend so I can attend.

I have witnessed Steve in some dangerous situations that were handled swiftly and respectfully. I know I am safe when the timer is in his hand. This really is a great opportunity.

Jason

jbirds1210 wrote:I will do my very best to clear that weekend so I can attend.

I have witnessed Steve in some dangerous situations that were handled swiftly and respectfully. I know I am safe when the timer is in his hand. This really is a great opportunity.

Jason

You can't come. Jim tried to sign up and I wouldn't let him either. You, Eric and Jim do far too much now. You guys write scenarios, set up the match, break down the props, etc. after the match, and Jim is building . . . well, I guess I can't say that, can I? If I add you to the SO list, I'll lose you for sure!

Thanks for trying,
Chas.

None of it seems like work to me.....more like spending time with family.

Jason

So are you gonna exclude those of us who already SO as well? I would come to maybe pick up some pointers on speeding up the process of running a stage. People never seem to complain but my squad seems to finish last alot....

Jeremae wrote:So are you gonna exclude those of us who already SO as well? I would come to maybe pick up some pointers on speeding up the process of running a stage. People never seem to complain but my squad seems to finish last alot....

You and all of our current SOs are most welcome. Send me an email so I can put you on the list.

Thanks,
Chas.

Charles, I'd like to attend the class. I'm one of the ones you described; I lack training and experience but I know we need the support. I sent you an email to add me to the list.

MegaWatt wrote:Charles, I'd like to attend the class. I'm one of the ones you described; I lack training and experience but I know we need the support. I sent you an email to add me to the list.

You're in.

Thanks!
Chas.

eMail sent. But I will give up my slot to someone new if class fills up.

Jeremae wrote:eMail sent. But I will give up my slot to someone new if class fills up.

We can seat 45 people in the Blue Building and over 70 in the shotgun clubhouse. I doubt we'll fill up . . . but it sure would be nice if we did!

Chas.

I am still going to be there!! If for no other reason to just be around Steve

Charles L. Cotton wrote:

jbirds1210 wrote:I will do my very best to clear that weekend so I can attend.

I have witnessed Steve in some dangerous situations that were handled swiftly and respectfully. I know I am safe when the timer is in his hand. This really is a great opportunity.

Jason

You can't come. Jim tried to sign up and I wouldn't let him either. You, Eric and Jim do far too much now. You guys write scenarios, set up the match, break down the props, etc. after the match, and Jim is building . . . well, I guess I can't say that, can I? If I add you to the SO list, I'll lose you for sure!

Thanks for trying,
Chas.

I think you should let them come to the class. It is a win-win. They get the training. You don't let them RO until they get tired of setting up the matches and then you put them to work ROing!!!