Security Guard Checklist

Hello again fellow security officer’s time for this month’s tip. So, we are going to examine how preparation for your work shift can maximize your effectiveness specifically having the proper equipment and uniform.  

Preparing with a checklist is similar to one of my hobbies, flying.  When I was learning to fly, the importance of landing safely was forefront in my mind.  I learned that it was the set up for the landing that was so important.  Your approach to the point of touchdown, like your approach to your duty shift greatly determines how smoothly things will go.  In a small plane you set up your approach to landing on the downwind leg according to a checklist; seat belts, fuel mixture, carb heat, power, flaps, altitude, planning your turn to base and eventually final are all cumulative.  In this case, preparation before you ever leave the ground determines how smoothly you will land.

Prepare yourself physically and mentally by having a proper meal before you begin your shift – nothing heavy that could inhibit physical performance or mental sharpness.  Mental alertness enables you to quickly adapt and overcome adverse situations. 

 

Use a checklist to prepare for your work shift:

·         Guard card

·         Identification badge

·         Flashlight

·         Pen 

·         Any other tools or information you need 

·         Uniform should be clean for a professional image

Being ready is essential!  Most landings, like most shifts, will go without a problem. However, it is the last minute gust of wind, the control tower ordering an immediate 360 degree turn when you are on final approach - 400 ft off the ground over a corral of scattering cattle – can be like the RCI (residentially challenged individual) that decides today is the day he will not comply or reacts with violence. In cases like these, the prepared person with a solid approach to their situation has the best chance for an optimum outcome.  Your success depends on your level of preparation every shift.  Be ready to face the challenges of our industry like the pilot landing the plane.

Good preparation allows you to use your body, mind, experience and expertise simultaneously with your equipment and training for success.  Remember, train to the maximum!

Gear For Security Officers

Hello Fellow Security Officers!  

I want to start by saying Happy New Year to everyone! 

 On the eduGuard Facebook page, LinkedIn page, and Twitter page, this year I plan on providing a "Tuesday Tip" so please "like" or "follow" our pages so you can read these weekly tips just for the security industry!  Let me know if you ever would like Tips on a specific subject matter and I will be glad to provide them.  Our tip last week was how to stay warm when it is cold out and still maintain the high degree of visibility necessary to really do your job well. 

This month's blog is a continuation of our Facebook's tip from last week on visibility.  Our focus here is on making sure you have adequate vision in all lighting conditions.  During the bright daylight hours, be sure to bring your sunglasses.   If you don't have a pair or are in need of good quality sunglasses, check the 5.11 Tactical Website or other uniform suppliers.  You want to buy a highly rated pair of industry quality.  Check the web, read reviews, and security blogs for ideas if you can't find a pair you like.  The reason you need high quality sunglasses is so you not only protect your eyes while working in sunlight, but also to be able to better see your surroundings at your site.  For dusk and overnight hours be sure to bring a good quality re-chargeable flashlight.  You need to be able to see everything around you in order to be the best that you can be on the job!  I use a Pelican re-chargeable flash light with a car charger.

Both your sunglasses and flashlight are tools of your trade.  You need to invest wisely in these tools and take care of them.  Before you purchase be sure to talk with other officers, check security blogs, Yelp or other trade publications to find something of quality. 

Training is also an important part of your arsenal. Be sure to get as much security training as possible so you can be the best security officer you can be!  Whether it is in a classroom in a school or online with eduGuard...Train to the Max!

 

In my next blog I will address finding the best value shoes / boots for the long shifts.

-Bryon

Why was eduGuard created?

As a PPO (Private Patrol Operator) in Northern California I sent three young men to a local training academy.  At 8:15 AM they left my office, eager to learn, with a check for their training.  At 11:30 AM they returned to my office inquiring about lunch.  I asked them how long of a break they had for lunch and they replied that they were done with the Powers to Arrest and Weapons of Mass Destruction courses. They had completed both courses with the certificates to prove it!  Disgusted with this result, we continued their training and re-testing in house.

     A month later I attended a CALSAGA conference in Northern California and listened to the speakers discuss how important training is to the quality of the product and services we provide for our clients.  I was sitting there with a client and we started to discuss training.  She told me they trained for their government security ratings online.

     While I was initially focused on the individual guard, I started thinking what a tool it could be for a small to medium sized company to train online for a majority of their security education.  The ability to have a website or portal with the training necessary to provide a quality product for my clients!  I discovered much on the journey to putting this website together.  Through hard work, our team was able to produce a quality training online solution for the individual security officer and a training solution for the small to regional PPO.

If you are interested in security online training please visit eduGuard.com.  Add this blog to your RSS for future posts.  Follow us on Facebook for security tips and other industry updates.  We can also be found on LinkedIn for blog and other security online training updates.

Bryon A. Bayer

Founder eduGuard.com