International Ride Operator Certification – Family Entertainment Center
(iROC-FEC)
Family Entertainment Centers may be smaller than a traditional amusement park, but the importance of ride and aquatic operations safety is just as important. No matter the size of your facility, the iROC-FEC program provides a risk management strategy which matches your budget.
Family Entertainment Center Program Overview
Program Development and Industry Experience
Drawing on decades of experience training, managing, and developing ride operators, as well as in-depth experience developing amusement ride operating standards through active leadership and participation in organizations such as ASTM International, AIMS International, NAARSO, and IAAPA, IRT, in consultation with leading industry operators, has developed the International Ride Operator Certification (or “iROC-FEC ”) program
Program Definition
iROC-FEC is a Certification Program which provides train-the-trainer training and accountability to ensure your operations team is performing to the standards of the 10 Critical Components. The iROC-FEC program is designed to work within the budget of any FEC. The program focuses on the aspects of the iROC-FEC program most directly enhancing safe, professional, and efficient operation on a day-to-day basis, while offering other facets of the iROC program on an “a la carte” and as-needed basis.
iROC-FEC is comprised of two elements:
Training Support
Training according to the iROC-FEC Ten Critical Components begins with licensed iROC-FEC Instructors. Instructors obtain their license to administer the iROC-FEC program through attendance at the iROC-FEC Roll Out Training (conducted at their facility) or the annual iROC “Ride Camp” Safety School. Once licensed, IRT authorizes iROC-FEC instructors to administer the iROC-FEC program at their home facility, by training in-house trainers on the fundamental principles of the Ten Critical Components, the iROC-FEC training philosophy, and how the Ten Critical Components fit into the operating procedures for any specific ride. iROC-FEC Instructors and Trainers then train and test front-line ride operators on these fundamental principles using IRT-provided classroom training materials, testing, and videos (all provided online) as well as during on-site training at specific ride locations.
- iROC-FEC Roll-Out Training Program
- Opportunity to Attend Annual “Ride Camp” Safety School
- Training Methodology
- Online Operator Training
- Streaming video
- iROC-FEC Instructor Resource Manual
- iROC Operator Resource Manual
- Cloud based secure record keeping
- Monthly iROC-FEC Instructor Intel Call
Accountability
The iROC-FEC Program provides the tools necessary to ensure that an operator’s training is realized in performance. iROC-FEC Facilities receive access to IRT’s proprietary iROC-FEC Self-Auditing Mobile App to ensure accurate tracking and management of performance standards as well as two unannounced Certification Audits annually conducted by IRT-trained auditors. IRT audits typically include twelve ride locations chosen at random to include a mix of ride types, from kiddie rides to the largest thrill rides and waterslides. Ride Operator performance is assessed based on more than thirty audit criteria each ride cycle. Scores on individual rides are aggregated to award an overall facility score.
- Two unannounced iROC-FEC Certification Audits Annually
- Up to 12 rides assessed – 34 performance criteria
- Videotaped observation
- Narrative Audit Report with corrective actions
- Detailed Assessment Sheets
- Exit Meeting
- Failing audits require additional follow up audit
- iROC-FEC Self-Auditing Mobile App (Android / Apple)
- Annual Reporting (with historical comparison)
- IRT Advisory Board
How does iROC-FEC Benefit You?
Safety
Studies show that amusement park injuries are primarily caused by guest misconduct or, less frequently, operator error. The iROC-FEC program reduces the opportunity for guest misconduct by ensuring that operators are paying appropriate attention and proactively taking steps to prevent misconduct before it starts. Moreover, iROC-FEC operators are trained to actively manage and control the entire ride cycle from beginning to end, reducing the opportunity for boredom and careless errors in ride operation.
Standardization
In the wake of an unfortunate incident in the amusement industry, an oft- repeated theme in media reports is the lack of standardization in amusement regulation. iROC-FEC provides consistent operational standards for safe, professional, and efficient operation regardless of where the facility is located. For multi- park systems, iROC-FEC bridges the gap created by state regulation, giving your guests and your team members confidence that the rides they experience at one park will be subject to the same operating standards across the entire chain. For standalone parks, iROC-FEC instills in your guests confidence that your rides are being operated according to a national set of standards absent under the current system of state-by-state ride regulation.
Support And Communication
IRT facilitates communication between facilities to ensure an open dialog and innovation in the area of ride safety regardless of corporate affiliation. iROC-FEC facilities do not hesitate to communicate with one another when safety in on the line. And that is good for the entire industry.
Risk Management
According to studies, the median personal injury jury award in the United States is over $1 million and facilities can expect to spend another $1 million, or more, solely on the administrative costs of a lawsuit including employee time, lost profits and productivity, and lost opportunities. Those costs are not insured and come directly from your bottom line. The iROC-FEC program gives you the training and assessment tools necessary to help you avoid these expensive and time- consuming claims. Avoiding even one such claim, saves your facility substantial expense and pays for the iROC-FEC program many times over.
Education
iROC-FEC clients are invited to the annual iROC “Ride Camp” Safety School, the primary means of attaining and maintaining iROC-FEC Instructor Certification. Hosted by an iROC Facility each year, Ride Camp provides unparalleled in- depth continuing eduction focused exclusively on ride operations excellence. Ride Camp is a fun, educational, immersive, and singularly focused experience devoted entirely to ride operations training and performance.