Valleyfair Wins IRT Audit Excellence Award for Third Year in a Row
Kelsey Megard
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International Ride Training announced at its recent Ride Camp Safety Seminar the International Ride Operator Certification Audit Excellence Award winners for 2021. Valleyfair was among five parks across the US to receive this award.
Of the thousands of amusement ride operators throughout the United States that are trained to perform to the rigorous safety, efficiency, and professionalism standards of the International Ride Operator Certification program, the ride operators at the award-winning parks demonstrated the highest level of performance in each of these areas during their 2021 unannounced iROC certification audits.
“iROC-certified parks show the highest commitment to guest safety and service in the industry, and these five operations teams embody the very best of the best in the amusement industry,” said Patty Beazley of IRT. “It is an exceptionally special recognition considering the pandemic and staffing challenges that all teams faced last year.”
The team at Valleyfair takes safety seriously and that has been proven repeatedly by winning this prestigious award 3 years in a row (excluding 2020 when Valleyfair did not open due to Covid-19).
“We have really high expectations of our rides associates and seasonal leadership,” said Tess Bunker, Valleyfair’s Rides Manager, “we tell every ride operator that Valleyfair has won the Audit Excellence award three years running and that they play an integral part in helping the park earn the award again. The Valleyfair rides team is built on a foundation of safety, and we take a lot of pride in providing safe and memorable experiences to our guests.”
It was not an easy win for the rides team during the 2021. Valleyfair was closed for close to 600 days between the end of the 2019 season and the start of the 2021 season. “After not opening in 2020, we knew that 2021 was going to be a challenging year and that proved to be true,” said Andy Bursey, Valleyfair’s Operations Manager, “Our team persevered through all of the adversity and showed why Valleyfair ride operations is consistently one of the best and safest in the industry.”
Bunker is confident that Valleyfair can win this award again in 2022. “We have a lot of rockstar operators returning, an outstanding group of leaders, an even better training program and robust tactical plan in place going into this season. We were the first park to win the award three years in a row, so we fully intend to be the first to win the award four years in a row.”
Valleyfair is currently hiring ride operators for this award-winning team. Wages start at $17/hour for ride operators 16+ years old. “Come be part of an elite team with a proven track record of safety and FUN this season. You’ll get paid to help guests create memories, develop leadership skills, and make lifelong friendships,” said Bunker.
The International Ride Operator Certification program requires amusement and water parks to train and adhere to International Ride Training’s proprietary “Ten Critical Components” of ride operations safety, efficiency and professionalism designed specifically to ensure that guests of iROC parks, from small children to seasoned thrill seekers, have the safest and most enjoyable day of their summers. iROC-certified parks also submit to unannounced audits from IRT auditors who gauge ride operator performance on over thirty criteria each ride cycle to ensure that operators are performing at a level commensurate with their training.
Each recipient took home the coveted Golden Thumb statue when the award recipients were honored at the recently held International Ride Operator Safety School — affectionately called “Ride Camp” — at Carowinds Theme Park, February 8–11, 2022.