Security guards receive extensive training for handling a wide range of emergencies. Still, their specific roles will depend on their employer or the client’s (you) protocols as well as the standards applicable to your industry.
The primary duty and responsibility of security guards is to protect your assets, people, and property by responding to emergencies swiftly to mitigate risks. They are essential members of emergency response teams who act as first responders during emergencies.
Among the roles of security guards during an emergency include:
- Alerting and coordinating with the authorities (e.g. law enforcers, fire departments, and medical responders)
- Acting as a liaison between affected individuals or parties and emergency services
- Coordinating evacuations and managing crowds
- Safeguarding your valuable assets during emergencies
Scout Security’s private security guards, mobile patrollers, fire watchers, and CCTV operators are trained to respond to emergencies from natural disasters to serious criminal activities. Our knowledge and skills in risk assessment and safety protocols in the Denver Metro and Colorado Springs areas will guarantee your maximum protection during crises. Call us now!
9 Key Duties of Security Guards During Emergencies
Let us discuss the role of security guards in crisis management in detail by listing down their key duties in case of an emergency.
#1. Emergency Preparedness Through Continuous Training
Security guards undergo extensive training that covers various topics to prepare for emergencies.
These training programs include:
- Crisis management
- Evacuation procedures
- First aid and CPR techniques
- Crowd management
They also go through continuous training to equip them with the necessary skills to act swiftly and effectively as first responders in various emergency scenarios. Regular drills and training ensure that they stay updated on the best emergency response practices and safety procedures.
Also Read: How Can Uniformed Security Guards Deter Crime in Your Business?
#2. Constant Vigilance to Prevent Emergency Situations
Security guards prioritize proactive measures for the prevention of crises which include staying vigilant at all times to recognize early signs of danger and taking necessary steps to address the situation.
The specific tasks involved in proactive crime prevention to deter and detect potential threats as well as mitigate potential crises include:
- Continuous monitoring for hazards and suspicious activities
- Identifying areas of vulnerabilities
- Making sure that your emergency safety equipment is operable
- Ensuring that emergency routes and exits are unobstructed
- Enforcing access controls and verifying identities
- Enforcing security protocols
- Using surveillance technologies like CCTV
- Regular patrols to disrupt early signs of unlawful activities
Also Read: 10 Benefits of Hiring a Security Guard to Protect Your Business
#3. Conducting Risk Assessments & Assisting in Emergency Planning
Private security personnel can also conduct thorough risk assessments of your property to pinpoint and address potential vulnerabilities to help with crisis avoidance.
We can assist you in crafting and implementing comprehensive emergency response strategies to maximize safety during these situations. This includes making sure that emergency exits, evacuation routes, and assembly points are well-defined.
#4. Quick Assessment & Immediate Response to Emergencies
Our security guards are trained to rapidly assess emergencies, identify hazards, and prioritize the safety of all individuals on your premises to mitigate damages.
Assessing emergencies includes identifying the nature of the emergency as well as its severity and the potential risks involved. This allows security guards to make informed and decisive decisions so they can initiate the right emergency procedures. They can alert relevant authorities, sound alarms, and/or take immediate actions to control the threat.
Thus, preventing potential life-threatening situations as well as costly damages and liabilities.
Also Read: How to Increase Business Security With a 24-Hour Guard
#5. Assisting in the Implementation of Safety Measures During Emergencies
During the actual emergency, security guards perform a variety of tasks to assist emergency responders in maintaining public safety.
This may include:
- Operating safety equipment
- Providing medical assistance
- Crowd control and evacuation
- Assisting in search and rescue operations
- Asset protection and crime deterrence during the event
Operating Safety Equipment
Operating safety equipment like fire extinguishers and emergency alarms is included in the training of security guards. They can use these devices to address threats swiftly and enhance safety.
Providing Medical Assistance
As the first responders on the scene, security guards are trained with basic first aid and CPR strategies so they can offer initial support to individuals facing medical issues until professional medical services arrive.
Apprehending & Detaining Suspects
In emergencies involving security threats like disturbances or unauthorized intrusions, security guards can apprehend and detain suspects depending on your jurisdiction until law enforcement arrives.
Also Read: Break-Ins: What to Do When Your Business Has Been Broken Into
Crowd Control & Evacuation
In case evacuation is necessary, security guards can help in ensuring safe and organized evacuations.
Specific tasks that they may do include the following:
- Guiding building occupants to evacuation routes, safe areas, or assembly points
- Maintaining order and preventing stampedes using their skills in crowd control to avoid panic and confusion during emergencies as well as facilitate an organized response
- Assist people with disabilities to make sure everyone evacuates safely
- Prevent access to unauthorized areas during evacuation
- Removing obstacles from emergency routes and exits to ensure safe evacuation
Assisting in Search & Rescue Operations
Security guards can also help in search and rescue efforts, especially after natural disasters or building collapses. They work with emergency responders to rescue people and bravely risk their own safety to save others.
Deterring Crimes to Protect Your Assets
Security guards can deter criminals who are planning to take advantage of the chaotic situation.
They can protect your valuable assets including expensive equipment and sensitive information even amid emergencies by:
- Controlling access
- Securing your perimeters
- Monitoring threats
- Preventing looting and other criminal activities
Implementing Other Emergency Protocols
Security guards can also help in implementing your emergency protocols in compliance with applicable laws to address the specific needs of your organization. Aside from adherence to evacuation procedures, they can also meet the needs of businesses dealing with hazardous chemicals, materials, or machinery through specialized training.
Also Read: A Complete Guide to Ensuring Building Security: 11 Helpful Tips
#6. Alerting & Collaborating With Law Enforcement & Emergency Services
Security guards act as liaisons and force multipliers to enhance the response capabilities of emergency services through cooperation and support.
Private security plays a crucial role in ensuring rapid response to emergencies by alerting law enforcement and coordinating with emergency services including the police, fire departments, and medical personnel. They will also inform supervisors, other guards, or dispatchers about security incidents.
As for public-private security collaboration, security guards can offer critical information to responders and can guide them to the scene as well as assist in managing the crisis effectively.
The Importance of Effective Communication & Coordination During Emergencies
Clear communication between security guards and the authorities is important during emergencies to ensure effective coordination and resolution of the incident.
Security guards follow a chain of command to coordinate and unify emergency responses. They use advanced communication tools to convey critical information swiftly to guarantee a timely response.
Also Read: Why Private Security and Law Enforcement Collaboration is Crucial
#7. Offering Post-Emergency Support
The role of security guards does not end with the resolution of the emergency.
They can also offer valuable support after the incident by:
- Aiding in damage assessment
- Securing areas to prevent additional damage
- Contributing to the re-establishment of normalcy
- Safeguarding compromised structures
- Controlling access to restricted zones
- Supporting insurance claims through detailed documentation
- Acting as visible deterrence to criminal activities so you can focus on your recovery efforts
Moreover, their insights from post-emergency situations can help you enhance your security measures to prevent the same incidents from happening. You can increase your patrols, install additional CCTV cameras, and improve lighting in certain areas among others.
Also Read: When Should You Hire Short-Term or Temporary Security Guards?
#8. Documentation & Reporting
Security guards are required to document and report emergency incidents.
They are tasked with providing detailed accounts that include timelines, actions they took, observations, and assistance provided.
These comprehensive documentation and reports can be used in investigations and potential lawsuits or insurance claims as we’ve mentioned before. These records can even help in evaluating the effectiveness of your response plan so you can make necessary adjustments to your protocols.
Also Read: 6 Advantages of Having a Hybrid Security Strategy
#9. Community Engagement & Education
In addition to reactive emergency response duties, security guards can also proactively engage with your employees and tenants or guests to educate them on safety measures and emergency procedures.
This promotes awareness of your safety protocols to keep everyone prepared in case of emergencies.
Other Key Things to Know About the Role of Security Guards in Emergency Situations
The Role of a Security Guard During an Emergency Will Depend on Your Security Protocol
We’ve mentioned a lot of possible duties that security guards can perform during emergencies.
But, take note that their response actions will largely depend on:
- Your predefined emergency protocols
- The security guard’s training
- Your facility type
- The type of emergency
Thus, it is important to have these roles well-documented before the guards start their duties. You should also provide training for the security guards to familiarize themselves with your emergency protocols, especially if you have an in-house team.
If you work with a private security firm like Scout Security, you don’t have to worry about the hassle and financial requirements of training your team. We provide comprehensive training to our licensed security guards to ensure effective emergency response procedures.
Also Read: How to Hire a Security Guard: 7 Factors to Consider & More
Security Guards Should Understand Alarm Systems & the Different Hazards They Might Need to Deal With
To enhance the effectiveness of security guards in responding to emergencies further, they need to be familiar with alarm systems and potential hazards that they might face, including harmful chemicals.
Some types of alarms they must understand include:
- Infrared alarms
- Seismic alarms
- Ultrasonic alarms
- Motion sensor alarms
- Photoelectric beam detectors
- Microwave sensors
- Vibration sensors
- Tripwire alarms
Also Read:
- 15 Top Qualities of a Good Security Guard: Skills to Look For
- 15 Different Types of Security Guards & What They Do: A Guide for Property Managers
- Proprietary Security vs Contract Security Companies: Which Suits Your Business Best?
- Security Guards vs. Police Officers: Key Differences & Similarities
FAQs
In an emergency, a security guard’s role is to protect building occupants, your property, and business assets by responding quickly to mitigate risks and coordinating with emergency services.
Security guards undergo continuous training, conduct risk assessments, and implement comprehensive response strategies to assist businesses and property managers in emergency preparedness.
These procedures include alerting authorities, conducting risk assessments, implementing safety measures, controlling crowds, providing medical assistance, documenting incidents, assisting in rescue operations, and deterring opportunistic criminals.
Security guards are trained to spot potential fire hazards like damaged electrical systems and improperly stored flammables to prevent fires and minimize property damage. They also monitor for signs of fire to ensure quick alarm activation and swift emergency response. They can even assist in evacuation procedures during fire emergencies.
Conclusion
The presence of security guards in your premises helps in guaranteeing rapid response to security alarms and emergencies through collaboration with the authorities. This not only mitigates risks but also saves your reputation and business from potential financial damage caused by these incidents.
Hire Scout Security’s highly trained security guards, mobile patrollers, and fire watchers in the Colorado Springs and Denver Metro areas now to ensure your property’s protection from security breaches and costly emergencies. Proactive prevention is the key to saving your business from liabilities. Contact us now!
