Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Security Guards

Security guards must be prepared for any eventuality. Being ready and equipped to respond to any emergency is a component of guard training, helping them keep the public safe, reduce the potential for injury, and save lives.

Emergencies come in many forms. From fires, floods, and earthquakes to security threats and medical emergencies, proper training ensures that the guard assesses the situation quickly, liaises with appropriate emergency services, and can oversee evacuations and provide first aid until EMTs arrive.

Essential Emergency Preparedness Training for Guards

Guards often find themselves in challenging situations. They must be comfortable and confident when responding to emergencies, familiar with various emergency response procedures, and be able to communicate easily with the public and other stakeholders to coordinate and execute a response plan.

Some of the skills and knowledge guards need to have include:

•  How to determine the appropriate response to any given emergency situation
• CPR training and first aid
• How to navigate common emergency tools, like fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems
• Building and property capacity limits per local fire codes
• Knowledge of access and exit routes
• Safe evacuation protocols
• Crowd control and de-escalation techniques
• How to control emergency access for first responders
• How to communicate clearly with the public and emergency personnel
• Proper documentation of emergency incidents

Be Prepared for Anything

Emergencies don’t often come with a warning. Hence, it’s critical to be prepared for anything and ready to act before panic sets in and escalates the situation.

A proactive preparation protocol includes:

·         Risk assessment. Know the premises you guard, including vulnerabilities, potential hazards, and inherent risks. Being alert to local hazards and possible threats is also a good idea. Do this by staying on top of local news and connecting to local law enforcement. Awareness of what’s happening in the area helps you protect the public and prepare for any eventuality.

·         Emergency response kit. Maintain an emergency response package with supplies: flashlight, extra batteries, communication devices (walkie-talkies, mobile phones), first aid supplies, and a recently serviced fire extinguisher.

·         Evacuation plan. Familiarize yourself with evacuation procedures, building exits, assembly points, access points, and evacuation routes.

·         Communication plan. Know who to call and what services to enact in an emergency. Maintain current phone lists for key staff and emergency services and be ready to clearly communicate observations to the public, emergency personnel, and other stakeholders. Keep lines of communication open during emergencies to ensure authorities can reach you when needed.

·         Participate in emergency drills. Emergency drills are an essential part of guard training. Regular drills help guards become more comfortable with emergency protocols and techniques, ensuring an appropriate response even in high-stakes environments.

·         Review the emergency plan frequently. Keeping the plan up to date is essential to ensure efficient and effective response. Meet with team members regularly to review protocols and ensure everyone understands each other’s roles. Doing so supports a coordinated effort, keeping people safe and reducing confusion when the pressure is on.

Step-by-Step Emergency Response Checklist

Keeping your response consistent ingrains security protocols, so they become second nature. Use this emergency response checklist to guide your actions.

1.     Evaluate the situation

Quickly assess what type of emergency you’re facing. Astute observational skills will help you evaluate the risk and determine what needs to be done. Here are a few examples:

·         Medical emergency: Provide help to the best of your ability. Talk to the person (if possible) to learn relevant details.

·         Fire emergency: if you see smoke, investigate and take appropriate action (evacuation, fire extinguisher) to ensure public safety.

·         Criminal threat: use observational skills to assess risk. Prioritize safety (yours and the public’s) while waiting for authorities to arrive.

 

2.     Contact relevant authorities or stakeholders

Once you have identified the threat, call the proper authorities. Do not attempt to defuse the situation yourself if there is a potential for injury. Calling in the right professionals ensures the threat is handled appropriately.

·         In case of a fire, you would call for a fire response and ambulance if you suspect people may be injured. Call the building owner or manager immediately to inform them of the incident. Rapid response will help to limit the damage.

·         Criminal activity is a police matter and should be reported immediately. Communicate with emergency services to be sure they understand the situation so they can pass that information to the response team.

·         Medical emergencies, such as serious injuries or heart attacks, should always be referred to emergency services. Stay with the person until EMTs arrive and provide first aid or CPR as needed.

 

3.     Secure the area

Put as much distance as possible between the threat and the public. Guide people to areas where they will be safe from harm or injury. Stay calm, secure the scene, and use de-escalation techniques to reduce panic. When responders arrive, ensure people are out of the way so emergency personnel can get to work.

4.     Evacuate people safely

If the area must be evacuated, maintain order and direct people to the appropriate exits and routes. Using pre-designated evacuation plans prevents bottlenecks as people vacate and reduces further injury.

Take the time to directly assist families with young children, people with disabilities, mobility issues, or older adults in getting where they need to go.

5.     Provide support until help arrives

Offer support to the best of your ability until help arrives. This is where extended guard training helps, as it provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to respond. Whether you provide first aid or emotional support, read the situation and do what you can to ensure the individual feels safe.

6.     Document the incident and file the report

No matter what type of incident you respond to, proper documentation is essential. Security firms typically have internal reporting protocols, but the report should generally include the date, precise time, a description of the situation, initial observations, followed by what you did, who you called, and how the problem was resolved. The more details, the better!

Detailed reporting allows management to review and assess your response and adjust protocol if needed. Reports may also be used by police and insurance companies in case of personal injuries or property damage.

The Bottom Line

Preparedness is critical to success in emergency response. Security guards must be ready to act when they identify a threat. Knowing what to expect and how to respond in any situation leads to better outcomes for all concerned.

Browse our self-paced online courses to advance your guard training and prepare for any emergency.