Page 20 - Security Today, November/December 2022

cific training prepares event security staff to recognize different types of crowds and crowd behaviors, understand basic psychological phe- nomena, which may arise within individuals and crowds. Training also prepares security staff how to move large crowds in safe and efficient manners, understanding how to properly manage and direct crowds in emergency situations, how to safely evacuate a facility and how that venue layout may affect and alter evacuation procedures. EVENT SECURITY STAFF: MOST VALUABLE ASSETS Employees are the most valuable assets of any event security company. It is vitally important for an event security firm to ad- here to strict guidelines for hiring and training. In addition, the event security’s management team should be coaches and men- tors to all front-line employees. Experienced, trained security professionals, who are licensed, and who have undergone background checks and drug testing, are the foundation of event security. Event security is a dynamic sector that demands that the secu- rity professionals engage in extensive training, which includes how to deliver First Aid and CPR, understanding the signs and symp- tom of heat stress, how to handle attendee slips, trips and falls. This also includes workplace fire safety, workplace violence and active shooter, emergency response and disaster planning, hazardous ma- terials and best practices for arenas, stadiums and amphitheaters. In addition, there is venue specific training including crowd management that includes technical and guest services skills, line control, front of stage, back of house, ushers, roamers and overall venue security and safety. Event security professionals should have an open line of com- munication to their supervisors. A 10 to 1 ratio of security pro- fessionals to supervisor is recommended to ensure that there is continual communication and that exceed expectations. Without active participation by all members of an organization, a safety program will not reach its full potential. Employees feel valued when their ideas and suggestions are taken seriously, and will better support safety policies, processes and programs when they are involved in forming them. It is important that everyone be empowered to have input when it comes to safety. EVENT SECURITY HIGH-TECH SCREENING Event security professionals work with their clients to design and im- plement screening solutions that best fit their environment, require- ments and existing security operations. Today’s security professional is a highly trained individual with access to cutting edge technol- ogy including artificial intelligence which consists of state-of-the-art technology that connects artificial intelligence and human response to better protect people with accurate real-time data. “Event security is fluid and ever changing with crowd move- 20 Untitled-34 1 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 | SECURITY TODAY 6/30/22 6:34 PM EVENT SECURITY