Hello everyone, hope you had an eventful weekend. This
week I am concerned about security and safety and that is what I will be
discussing.
In many events I have attended, I have often seen
stern-faced looking security guards manning the entrance to the venue. One
question comes to mind, what exactly is the brief of these security details?
Discussing from a layman’s point of view, here is my take on what measures that
can be taken to ensure a secure and safe experience for guests during an event.
1.
Technological Approach: The environment of the event includes the
halls/venue/event place where the guest will be seated or hosted, the car park,
the entire compound and the surrounding facilities. Security should be
proactive and as they say, it should not be discussed in the open. However I
think that guests attending an event in a place should be aware of the security
and safety measures that they can apply in case of emergency. Therefore before
engaging physical security, I recommend that event venues should deploy
technology as a first level security check. This may include but not limited to
the following
a.
CCTV
systems: This should be
deployed to cover every ground within and around the venue. Key areas are the
entrances and exits, the halls, the car park, the fence, etc. In an open area
environments, mobile CCTV system can be deployed.
b.
Access
Control: This could be
integrated with people barrier and counter, metal detectors, scanners, RFID
Systems, car barrier, etc.
2.
Physical Approach: Physical security guards should be
deployed to man the access control areas to check, guide and direct the guest
properly and courteously. They can also serve to provide warm welcome as
greeters while some are used to command and control traffic (see our post on
traffic management). These guards could be armed with batons, stun guns or
other civil weapons safely concealed for easy retrieval and not exposed to
intimidate the guest. Communication is important to physical security hence a
means of reaching out to other colleagues in patrol is very important. Walkie-talkies
(hand held radios) are ideal for this type of operation though mobile cell phones
are routinely used these days. Security patrol is also an essential ingredient
of physical approach so security guards should be deployed to patrol the
environment in a programmed or random sequence. Patrolling guards could be
accompanied by guard dogs if the service is requested as part of the security
package.
3.
Structural Approach: Perimeter fencing of the event venue is
important. Perimeter fences could be fortified with barbed wires, electrified
or raised high enough. The entrances and exits to the venue should be clearly
marked and identified. These points should be manned by polite, friendly and
strict security details. In an open arena event place, security personnel can
be used to run a perimeter around the venue.
4.
Safety Approach: Messages and information clearly marking fire exits,
First aid boxes, fire extinguishers, Fire Assembly points, venue map, emergency
numbers, etc. should be at the easy disposal of the guests during the events.
It could be printed on a small pamphlet, handbill or flyer.
5.
Security and Health Stewards approach: Trained civil stewards, bearing no arms, primed
for health and security responses should be strategically located within the
halls to watch out for accidents such as broken
glasses, spills and splashes, guest tripping or any other incident that will
bring discomfort to the guest. These personnel should have enough knowledge to
apply first aid treatment.
6.
Management Approach: A command and control centre should be
established. From this centre, all the various approaches will be monitored and
controlled. Ideally if there is a CCTV control room, the management centre may
be housed there however, the key requirement is to have a central place or
person from which all security directives are issued and verified.
By and large many security agencies have different
packages offered for customers to choose. There are packages that cover location
and venue risk assessment, VIP and Close personal protection like in body guards,
route security assessment, debugging, etc. Event owners, planners and managers
should work closely with security companies and personnel to ensure a pleasurable
experience for guests. Ultimately, everybody should be security aware by
understanding what security expectations are demanded of you in any environment
you find yourself.
I hope you have found our post this week exciting. If you
have the time send us a feedback
Have a good week ahead.
No comments:
Post a Comment