The UFC White House event is expected to feature a massive security effort from all of the Federal agencies involved with overseeing the upcoming event on June 14.
On Monday, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials told TMZ that the UFC White House card is going to feature Level 1 Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) security measures for the card happening on the south lawn.
The DHS features five different SEAR levels for special events where the agency assesses “methodology considers the threat,
vulnerability, and consequences for each event.”
Level 1 security — like what’s happening at the UFC White House card — is considered a significant event “with national and/or international importance that require extensive Federal interagency support.” A similar event that receives that Level 1 security threat assessment include the Super Bowl where multiple agencies are monitoring and assistance could include explosive detection canine teams, cyber risk assessments, venue screening and field intelligence teams and air security and tactical operations support.
DHS appoints a Federal Coordination Team for all SEAR 1 events, which now includes the UFC White House card. That team includes the “Secretary’s personal representatives for the event, liaises and consults with state and local authorities on their event security and response plans; ensures appropriate and coordinated federal support in response to federal-to-federal, state, and local requests for assistance; and maintains situational awareness of the event throughout the planning and execution phases.”
While seating for the actual UFC White House event is extremely limited with only invited guests being allowed to attend, the Ellipse — the massive park sitting near the White House — could potentially feature up to 90,000 fans in attendance to watch the event on big screens being provided by the UFC.
The UFC Fan Fest event, which is happening on June 13 at the Ellipse, will also feature SEAR 1 level security.
Typically events like the Super Bowl feature aerial protection including a no-drone zone, ground security as well as screening and surveillance along with security checkpoints.
Of course, it’s no surprise that the UFC White House card would feature intense security considering this is the first time a sporting event like this is happening there not to mention the amount of government and military officials expected to attend.
