Long before roller coasters were coasting and funnel cakes were flipping, the Citizens of Silver Dollar City were getting ready for a safe and thrilling 65th season. From prayers to practical precautions, the invaluable preparedness of the park’s Safety & Security team goes beyond perfecting policies and procedures.
On a sunny Sunday afternoon a few weeks before opening day, a team trotted through the empty park for a special prayer walk, asking for divine protection over every guest and employee during the upcoming season.
“It’s one of the most important things we do to kick off our season,” smiles Kim Brandsma, director of Safety & Security. “Folks from a few other departments joined us as we stopped and prayed all over the park, asking God to watch over our employees and guests this year.”
For Jessica Eckerle, the park’s safety supervisor, the walk was an emotional experience. “The well-being of more than 2 million visitors is on our watch each season, and we don’t take that lightly,” she said. “There were moments we cried walking the property together, praying for a safe season. It just shows the heart and tenderness of this team.”
Kim’s team certainly does serve with heart—and experience. With more than 150 years of combined service on the leadership team alone, they are called on in all sorts of scenarios to ensure Silver Dollar City is a safe and welcoming environment. The team’s to-do list is a must-do list, which includes collaborating with other departments to make sure all rides are relentlessly checked, then checked again.
“We also make sure restaurants are spic and span, stores have clear aisles, employees are using safe practices and so much more,” Kim says. “We’re constantly working with other teams to brainstorm best practices in all areas of the park.
To make that happen, the team taps into a wealth of wisdom and varying backgrounds in employees like Shea Lane, Trent Massey and Adam Buxton who all have experience in law enforcement.
“As a child, I always felt safe at Silver Dollar City, not knowing what happened behind the scenes to make me feel this way,” says Adam, who just marked his 20th work anniversary with the company. “When I joined the Silver Dollar City team, it felt like I returned to my childhood home. Working alongside seasonal and longtime employees to find a safe solution to daily routine tasks and the challenging unexpected events continues to make me feel happy. We prepare and train our employees to be ready so when a guest experiences one of those crucial moments, we are there to help them.”
Ryan Martin feels the same way. He’s been with the company 29 years and leads the Health Services department, overseeing park paramedics, EMTs and the occupational health program, which includes hearing protection for staff in louder environments.
“There is something here in our culture that keeps our team thriving,” he says. “In between calls, we get to know our guests and visit with folks while they’re here having fun. This company cares so much about our employees and our guests. It’s our honor to provide medical care and emotional support for everyone who comes through our gate.”
The team also works tirelessly to keep everyone safe during severe weather. That’s a big focus for Shea Lane who runs point for the park’s emergency management initiatives. He recently accepted recognition on the park’s behalf from the National Weather Service, proclaiming Silver Dollar City as a Storm Ready Supporter.
Despite the heavy responsibility of keeping 2 million guests safe each season, there’s a refreshing joy in Kim’s approach to her job. “It’s a lot of work, but we get to work for the best company with the best people,” she says. “At the end of the day, it’s all about giving families the chance to create memories worth repeating without any worries.
Join the team: Silver Dollar City is currently looking for year-round paramedics and seasonal EMTs to join the Safety & Security team. Those interested in joining this
dedicated group of professionals can visit silverdollarcity.com/employment to learn more.
As Public Relations Manager for the Silver Dollar City Company, she is eager to tap into her journalism background to hunt down “heart tugs” to write about—those stories that celebrate…
