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National Fire Prevention Month
for more information visit http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=1438
Working with Emergency Responders
A well-trained security force is in place to protect employees, visitors, and property. Most incidents that occur on a daily basis are handled by the security staff. When an incident takes place that is beyond the scope of security, outside emergency responders need to be called. Emergency response can involve law enforcement, fire and rescue, or both. They may need to be summoned to handle a fire, medical emergency, unruly person, or to simply take a report for a crime or incident that has occurred.
Contacting emergency responders starts with a call to 911. The following information should be given to the 911 operator:
- Identify yourself
- Give the name and address of the site and location of the emergency.
- Give important details (e.g., “We have people trapped in the building, there are chemicals in the area”, descriptions of subjects, description of vehicles, and weapons involved)
- Indicate where security will meet the emergency responders.
- Do not hang up until the 911 operator has all the information needed.
 While waiting for the arrival emergency responders, security should assist as needed. This can include administrating first aid/CPR, help evacuate employees, keep people clear of the area, and obtain additional information that can assist emergency responders. If additional information is learned, 911 needs to be called again and the information passed on. Security officers should not be expected to put themselves in harm’s way.
Security should meet the emergency responders as they arrive on site. Security will then direct them to the location. This can be accomplished by leading them to the location or at sites where it is not possible for security to leave their post, they can give them directions to the location. Directions can include giving them a building number, floor, wing, office number, or a landmark (turn right at the green building and proceed to the tan building marked “Office”). If possible, security should stay with emergency responders until they leave the site and assist as needed.
Contacting emergency responders differs from site to site. Security is expected to follow post orders. When emergency responders are needed, information from the security force can aid in getting emergency personnel to the site as quickly as possible. Factual details also help emergency responders make an effective response. Proper communication is the key to working with emergency responders.
Article written by Bob Osterman, Physical Security General Manager
DHS Unveils 'Recognizing 8 Signs of Terrorism' Video
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter unveiled a new video funded by the DHS about recognizing the signs of terrorist activity. The 8-minute video, “Recognizing 8 Signs of Terrorism” outlines some of the things potential terrorists might be doing, and lets citizens know where to report the suspicious activities. “The vigilance of individual citizens is critical to protecting our country from the threat of terrorism,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This video provides essential information on how to identify the warning signs and emphasizes the vital role of such assistance in state and local law enforcement’s counter terrorism efforts.” The eight signs of terrorism described in the film are surveillance; elicitation (trying to obtain information); tests of security; funding; acquiring supplies; impersonation; rehearsal; and deployment.
Source: Governmentvideo.com
Electronic Security
So, you have a Security System for your place of business, but not for your home? Or, maybe you have one for your home, but do not regularly activate it. Consider these startling statistics, from the official FBI Website (www.fbi.gov) and other Internet resources:
 90% of police believe home monitored alarms help deter burglary attempts- 88% of all burglaries are residential in nature
- 87% of all home burglaries are considered to be preventable
- 85% of all burglar alarms are not switched on or used properly
- 80% of break-ins occur through a locked door
- 65-70% of residential burglaries in 2006 took place during the day
- 58% of burglars come right through your front door
- In 41% of the alarmed homes that were burglarized, the security system was not turned on
What you can do to help avoid becoming one of the statistics*:
- Purchase a monitored home security system. Make sure you receive proper training and activate it whether or not you are home. Most systems include “stay” settings, so you can maintain protection and still move freely in the home.
- Get to know the neighbors. You might want to exchange phone numbers with them in case of an emergency and make them familiar with your daily routine. This will make it easier to spot changes.
- Make sure that exterior lights are mounted out of reach, so that burglars can’t easily unscrew bulbs.
- Trim trees and shrubs near doors and windows so burglars can’t hide in the shadows
- Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors
- Think like a burglar. “Case” your home the way a burglar would and look for easy ways to enter your home.
- While on vacation, have someone pick up your mail and newspapers, so they will not accumulate and alert burglars of your absence.
- Notify your alarm company of your vacation dates.
- Be sure to lock up ladders and tools which could be used to break into your house.
Sometimes, all of your efforts will not stop a determined burglar. But, by following the above, you can certainly reduce the chances of becoming a victim.
*Some examples taken from Home the Jefferson County (MO) Police Website (www.jcsd.org)
Article written by Michael Kaplan, Electronic Security General Manager
TSA to continue restricting carry-on liquids on flights
 The Transportation and Safety Administration announced the continuation of rules restricting carry on liquids on airplanes. Although airline safety officials had hoped to relieve passengers of the onus of putting their liquids in little bottles this year, it looks like it will be a while longer. Last October, the chief of the Transportation Security Administration cheerfully predicted that "within a year" the agency would have installed new technology in scanning machines that would allow it to drop the 3-year-old rules. The TSA now has no timeline set for when the rules will go away, said spokeswoman Andrea McCauley. The agency continues to tweak the computers to be able to make the process work. But it's slow going to get everything right so it can be rolled out around the system, McCauley said. If the TSA gets the system working, passengers would be allowed to bring liquids of any size through security checkpoints, though initially passengers still would be required to remove the liquids from their bags to be scanned separately from other items.
Source: http://www.securityinfowatch.com/Detection+Systems/1313280
CPR in the Schools
Once in a while, while conducting CPR classes for security officers assigned to Middle or High Schools, I am asked “Why conduct CPR classes in a school setting where a bunch of healthy kids are?” The short answer is, obviously, why not?
 Recently I finished training security officers in CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) for a school district in northern Illinois. The high school where most of the security officers worked had a student population of over 1500 students. Part of the training was to prepare the security officers for questions relating to CPR & AED’s in the school buildings.
As I explained to the security officers, schools not only contain the students, but also adults as teachers, administrators, staff, custodians and visitors during the school days. Additionally, most schools have meetings or events almost every night of the week and sometimes even on the weekends.
Events can be sporting events, plays, musicals performances, a place to cast your vote, open houses, scouting, meetings of all types, etc. When taking all these factors into consideration, you will find the people in the buildings consist of infants through senior citizens. With this vast array of age groups, incidents of medical emergencies will arise – it’s just a matter of when. Preparedness is the key in giving an individual the best possible chance of survival regardless of the emergency.
What is done in the first 4 to 6 minutes is vital to a victim. Advance care (paramedics, doctors or nurses on site, firemen or policemen) generally takes at least this amount of time to arrive to take over a medical problem. CPR, aided by an AED, if available, gives a victim the best possible chance if a heart attack has occurred.
CPR is beneficial not only for heart attacks, but also in choking situations. This is quite common with infants, young children and the elderly.
So, when visiting schools, don’t be afraid to ask if AED’s are in the buildings. Where are the AED’s located? Are certain members of staff or faculty trained in CPR if security officers aren’t assigned? Much like learning where the emergency exits are located, a life could depend on these simple questions.
Written by: Gene Hoth, Director of Special Events
O'Hare gets federal cash to upgrade security
Chicago’s O'Hare International Airport has been awarded a $13.6 million grant by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for security improvements. The funding will be dedicated to the construction of a new inline baggage handling system designed to strengthen security at the bustling airport. "Bringing in new equipment will help improve the safety and efficiency of traveling through our nation's airports," U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, said in announcing the funding. According to DHS, inline baggage handling systems use state-of-the-art technology to screen baggage for explosives quickly while streamlining the ticketing and boarding process. It should eliminate the need for passengers to walk checked baggage to a screening location before proceeding to the security checkpoint. The advances should also reduce the need to re-scan luggage and perform physical bag searches, authorities said.
Source: The Daily Herald
Physical Security Briefs: Material Control
Once personnel access measures are in place, as noted in the previous brief, the next step is to review material control. This process is really two-fold. The process to control incoming items (material taken on site) and the process to control outgoing items (material taken off site) should be reviewed. There may be separate processes to consider as well for employees, contractors, visitors, etc. Here is a quick take on both of these concerns.
Incoming Material
Start by determining what items people are not allowed to take on site. This can vary greatly but should, at the very least, include drugs and alcohol, drug paraphernalia, weapons, pornographic material, flammable items, and any other illegal materials. Additionally, many companies have policies precluding use of videographic, photographic, or audio recording equipment to help prevent the capture of proprietary information. This may include cell phones that have these features as well. Controlling the material coming into a site can differ dramatically depending on what the company is trying to protect. This is something you and your company will need to determine to best protect your employees while still allowing for operational success.
Outgoing Material
For items leaving the site, first determine what items are allowed to be taken off site and what documentation is required. This could be done by having a property pass system in place where an authorizing manager has signed over permission for an employee to take work material off site for a specified duration.
Consider putting together a random inspection policy in which bags, lunchboxes, or other concealable packages carried by employees on or off site can be inspected. This is a control measure used at random to make sure employees know their personal property could be searched at any given time and should serve as a deterrent.
Look for more physical security briefs in upcoming newsletter issues.
Article by: Colin Vick, Physical Security Division
The Importance of Monitored Smoke Detectors
download or a view a copy of Smoke Detector - Safety Newsletter
Per Mar Security - Community Involvement
This month, we turn our attention to community involvement that took place in September in Davenport, IA and Quincy, IL.
On September 2, 2009, Quad Cities Physical Security employees with the Palmer Campus Security worked with the United Way to distribute fire safety literature and smoke detectors in the neighborhoods surrounding the Palmer College Campus. Money raised by employees at Per Mar Centre through Jeans Days in the month of August was donated to Living Lands and Waters to help to preserve and restore the nation’s major rivers.
 Finally, employees of the Physical Security division in Quincy, IL helped to sponsor the Annual Cops 4 Kids Golf Outing hosted by the Officer’s of the Nauvoo, Hamilton and Warsaw Police Department’s at Deer Run Golf Club in Hamilton, Illinois. The proceeds from the event are being used for the West Hancock Police Officer’s Scholarship Fund. A scholarship will be awarded to a student from each town in the amount of $1,000 to be used for post-secondary education of their choice. A team from Per Mar also participated in the event on September 18th. Unfortunately, the Per Mar Security team was unable to win the event; a wonderful time was had by all.
Article written by Mindy Zumdome, Director of Human Resources
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