Emergency response preparation

Depending on where you are working you must have a good idea what to do if an emergency occurs.

Knowing where exits and entrances are and fire extinguishers is vital.

You should have a list of client emergency contact phone numbers, police and ambulance responders.

Depending on what the client has set up for these situations, your job will be to make sure people and property is protected to the best of your ability.

You should make sure alarms are functioning, dangerous material that could be sensitive to heat is stored away safely and paths to emergency exits are free from obstructions.

Emergencies may involve, fire, bombs, weapons, suspicious packages or explosive devices.

Security guards must be familiar with their companies procedure on how to handle those types of situations.

Your employer should provide you with the proper information to be able to handle emergency situations, such as the proper training to deal with emergencies, as well as what equipment is necessary for what types of emergencies.

Potential Roles of a Security Guard During an Emergency:

This will be determined by the employer and should be in writing and signed by both parties.

For example:

  • The employer will have to decide what he would like to be done in the instance that an intruder alarm goes off. The procedures will vary. Some employers may want their guards to call them as well as the police and await their arrival. Other employers may want the guard to investigate the cause and secure the scene.
  • In the case of a fire, some guards are expected to activate the fire alarm and notify the fire department. Others may be expected to assist with evacuation, crowd control as well as direct the fire department once they arrive.

Prevention and Detection of Fire:

This is an essential part of the duties of a security guard.

  • You should always be on the lookout for fire hazards.
  • Watching for general things that commonly generate a fire:
    • Electrical equipment
    • Combustibles placed near sources of heat

Some basic things to watch out for:

  • Explosives or flammables should not be stored near potential sources of ignition
  • Corridors should always remain free of obstruction or impediments. Combustible and flammable materials should not be stored there
  • Exit and Emergency doors should be kept clear at all times
  • Damage or deterioration of fire suppressors
  • Fire alarm systems must be operative

Alarm Response:

  • Security guards should have some basic understanding of protective and fire alarms and their functioning as they may have to encounter them on a site.
  • Guards should stay in touch with a dispatcher, supervisor or another guard during alarm response.
  • Your safety is the top priority.
  • If a crime is witnessed, the police should be contacted immediately, and observe the area from a safe distance.
  • Infrared: most common, detects motion in large areas by picking up infrared (heat) changes
  • Physical contact: detects a door or window being opened when the two parts of a sensor come apart
  • Photo-electric beams: detects a visible or infrared beam being broken, like garage doors use
  • Seismic: detects physical shocks in certain frequency ranges like glass breaking
  • Vibration: detects movement using very sensitive sensors mounted on fences or other structures
  • Ultrasonic (rare): detects motion using bouncing micro waves
  • Electric fields (rare): detects presence using electrical wires, measuring changes in amplitude
  • Trip wires (rare): detects intrusion when someone physically bumps a tightly strung wire

Duty of Care:

  • THIS TERM IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW.
  • It is what a reasonable person should do in an emergency situation with regards to securing and protecting a scene while waiting for the police or emergency responders to arrive.
  • Duty of care does not necessarily mean that emergency responders are a part of the situation.
  • It means that you use reasonable and intelligent steps to assure the safety of property and people.
  • RESOURCES: http://www.cpsp.gov.sk.ca/PISG-Manual-07.pdf

FIRE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:

BOMB THREATS:

  • LISTEN TO WHAT THE CALLER IS SAYING
  • STAY CALM AND BE COURTEOUS
  • DO NOT INTERUPT THE CALLER OR HANG UP
  • WRITE DOWN AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN
  • DO NOT PUT THE CALLER ON HOLD
  • RECORD THE PHONE NUMBER IF IT IS DISPLAYED CALL POLICE

SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES

If you are concerned about a package or letter that you have encountered while working as a security guard, get everyone away from it, close the door if possible, call the police or 911. If there is an emergency response number call that number as well.

https://www.google.com/search?q=SUSPICIOUS+PACKAGES+EMERGENCY&oq=SUSPICIOUS+PACKAGES+EMERGENCY&aqs=chrome..69i57j33.8694j1j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8