Security Patrol Officers
As a security officer, situations will happen that are beyond your capability to handle on your own. When this happens, you will be relying on the same emergency services and personnel as everyone else. Whether that is the police, firefighters, or paramedics, you need to handle the situation professionally and respond correctly. Your job doesn’t just end when they arrive; your priorities just change. Today, we will be covering how the Security Patrol Officers of Reyes World Security and Investigations are trained to work with these different professionals to provide the excellent service that you expect of us.
How do Security Patrol Officers coordinate with Police?
When you have an incident occur on your property that goes into the realm of criminal behavior, you will have to involve the police in your response. This will be the most common emergency service personnel that you will interact with as a Security Patrol Officer. So, that means that it is also the most important interaction to handle correctly.
When the police arrive they are going to become the senior enforcement personnel on site. You will need to take a supporting role and let the officers take charge. Do what they ask of you, this could mean handling crowds so they don’t interfere with the officers, keeping watch to be an eyewitness, helping them gather statements or evidence, or even give them access to secure areas of the property. The list goes on and on.
Once everything is done and the situation is under control, the officers will have to conduct their investigation. When this happens, they will most likely look to you for the facts. They don’t want your opinions, biases, or speculation. So Security Patrol Officers will need to keep detailed notes on the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the incident. This information may be vital to the officer’s investigation, and their case if and when this goes to court.
How do Security Patrol Officers coordinate with Firefighters and Paramedics?
The other emergency services you will coordinate with are the firefighters and paramedics. These men and women have one concern, the fire or medical emergency. They will often need your help a lot less than the police, but your help is still extremely important. As Security Patrol Officer’s you will be able to provide accurate information to the responders, on site and immediately.
If a fire occurs you need to start evacuating personnel to safety. Get as many people out and away from the building as possible. Once the firefighters arrive, give the senior field commander (often a battalion captain or chief) an accurate synopsis of where the fire is and how successful the evacuation has been. The senior field commander will need this information to effectively coordinate their firefighters to deal with the blaze and rescue anyone still stuck inside the building. This information needs to be as accurate as possible, poor or badly given information could result in harm to the firefighters who have to battle the fire and rescue anyone still left in the building. Once you have provided the information, take the back seat again. Let the professionals get to work and deal with any crowds or coordination with additional personnel.
As is the case in places like Milwaukee, WI your local fire department will also be the local paramedics. When you have a serious medical situation where paramedics are needed the situation is definitely life threatening and need you to be at your 115%. Often times you will be providing first aid to the patient until the paramedics arrive. Send someone to meet with the paramedics at the nearest entrance, and give them an escort to your location. As soon as the paramedics are on scene turn over medical care to them. Give the lead paramedic a detailed description of all medical assistance you provided to the patient. Then move on to supporting the paramedics with whatever they need.
Why is effective coordination with emergency services key for Security Patrol Officers?
You need to be at the top of your game when working with any emergency services personnel. Security Patrol Officers are an asset to these emergency responders when they arrive on scene. This means you must handle the situation correctly or you become a hindrance to their response. With the incident information and site knowledge that you provide they need your help as much as you need theirs. So, stay professional, remain calm, and be smart; they will be grateful for your help when all is said and done.
