Page 26 - Security Today, April 2020

“It is vitally important to determine the policies and procedures that are in place that allow security staff, law enforcement and other entities to effectively work together as a blended team.”
ment conferences like the National Association of Music Mer- chants (NAMM) or other high-profile events, including the Academy Awards, NASCAR, NBA or NFL sporting events, demands the use of cutting-edge technology paired with well- trained, highly screened security professionals.
Staffing is Critical
Hands-down, employees are the most valuable assets of any event security company. It is vitally important for an event security firm to adhere to strict guidelines for hiring and training. In addition, the event security’s management team should be coaches and mentors to all front-line employees.
Through the combined capabilities of Allied Universal®, my event services division is now a single-source solution for every- thing from temporary staffing, consulting and security for all events. Our event services team addresses convention, sporting and concert events and trade show’s complex challenges from a security and staffing perspective.
Event security personnel often gravitate to this sector because they thrive in its multi-faceted and exciting environment. For ex- ample, a senior executive member of my team, Thushan Rajapak- sa, says that he “loves live entertainment and live music” and feels like he has “the best job in the world because he is able to “create magical moments and memorable experiences for live audiences.”
Experienced, trained security professionals, who are licensed, and who have undergone background checks and drug testing, are the foundation of event security.
The Importance of Continual Training
Detailed, comprehensive training is vitally important for event security personnel. Training methods include classroom training, field training, hands-on simulation training, table top exercises, workshops, e-learning, certification courses, Guard Card courses and annual refresher classes.
Event security is a dynamic sector that demands that the se- curity professionals engage in extensive training which includes how to deliver First Aid and CPR, understanding the signs and symptom of heat stress, how to handle attendee slips, trips and falls, workplace fire safety, workplace violence and active shooter, emergency response and disaster planning, hazardous materials and best practices for arenas, stadiums and amphitheaters. In ad- dition, there is venue specific training including crowd manage- ment that includes technical and guest services skills, line control, front of stage, ushers, roamers and overall venue security and safety.
Training on how to effectively communicate is of paramount importance. We call this “verbal judo” which is learning how to stay calm in the midst of conflict, deflecting verbal abuse, and offering empathy.
Ensuring Open Communication
Event security professionals should have an open line of com- munication to their supervisors. A 10 to one ratio of security professionals to supervisor is recommended to ensure that there is continual communication and that expectations are ex- ceeded.
Event security entails far more than staffing the venue with security staff. The process is complex and requires extensive co- ordination, communication and advance planning. Every venue requires its own specific strategy and road-map which includes extensive facility orientation.
Advance planning requires teamwork with the venue’s facility management and local law enforcement to put together a ‘best practices’ methodology that can be used to address a myriad of emergency scenarios.
Earning DHS Safety Certification
The ASIS safety certification program, which my company has secured, is the first and only program of its kind to be awarded a coveted designation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technology (SAFETY) Act of 2002.
The purpose of the SAFETY Act is to ensure that the threat of liability does not deter manufacturers of anti-terrorism tech- nologies from developing and commercializing new products that could significantly reduce the risks or effects of terrorist events. Companies that supply products and services that can be used to detect, defend against, or respond to acts of terrorism can apply for and receive coverage under the law.
Event security firms should declare their commitment to the DHS Safety Act by applying and receiving this critical safety designation as it demonstrates to clients that the company has a system of risk and liability management benefits in place for providers of anti-terrorism products and services.
Ever-Evolving Technology
Technology is constantly changing. Security supervisors put into place a network of people, processes and technology to deter and mitigate threats. Law enforcement is a partner with physical secu- rity and may ask to access video footage. Today’s access control includes biometrics with video analytics with facial recognition.
Video analytics is also able to measure and gauge crowd be- havior, detect suspicious packages, and instantly alert security and law enforcement so that preemptive action can be deployed. Social media platforms are monitored using specific key word analytics to assess if there are any potential issues that are happening.
Security professionals and law enforcement are able to work together to leverage multiple technologies and share information to understand and mitigate potential threats. Ultimately, it is vi- tally important to determine the policies and procedures that are in place that allow security staff, law enforcement and other enti- ties to effectively work together as a blended team.
Understanding what the policies and proce- dures are for all concerned parties enables them to work cohesively to better mitigate the risk for any and all types of threats.
Corey Meredith is the president of Allied Uni- versal Event Services.
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