The Importance of Security Officers: Invaluable to Firefighters & EMS

When Emergencies Happen, Security Professionals Make a Difference

Security professionals are often among the first people available when an emergency unfolds in a commercial, residential or industrial property.

Because they know the buildings and environments they protect, trained security personnel can provide firefighters, paramedics and other emergency responders with information and assistance that can make an important difference.

Former firefighter John Collie, President of Rescue 7, explained to CSLA that having security personnel on site could make emergency response more effective, helping firefighters contain incidents while reducing the risk of casualties and property damage.

Before an Emergency

One of the most valuable roles security professionals play happens before an emergency ever occurs.

Through regular patrols and observation, security officers may identify and report potential hazards, including damaged railings, slippery stairs, structural damage, blocked exits and other unsafe conditions.

They can also help ensure emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are properly located and maintained.

This awareness can make security professionals an important preventative line of defence.

During the First Critical Minutes

The first few minutes of an emergency can have a major impact on the outcome.

Security professionals may be able to provide 911 operators with clear information, administer first aid or CPR, make sure emergency entrances are accessible and alert incoming responders to unusual hazards.

When firefighters or paramedics arrive, security personnel can also quickly communicate what has happened and what responders should expect inside the property.

Supporting First Responders

Once an emergency response is underway, a security officer's knowledge of the property becomes particularly valuable.

Security personnel may be able to direct responders to specific areas of a building, identify utility rooms and emergency equipment, provide information about appropriate staging areas and help account for people inside the property.

They may also continue providing first aid or CPR and assist with communication to building occupants.

In a stressful situation, having someone on site who knows the property and can communicate calmly can be invaluable.

After the Emergency

The security professional's role doesn't necessarily end when the immediate danger has passed.

Their training in observation, reporting and documentation can provide useful information when an incident is reviewed afterward.

Accurate reports can help organizations understand what happened, identify areas for improvement and strengthen emergency procedures for the future.

A Security Professional Is More Than a Person at the Front Desk

The work of a security professional is sometimes underestimated.

Yet during an emergency, their training, knowledge of their surroundings, attention to detail and ability to remain calm can directly support the work of firefighters, paramedics and other first responders.

John Collie told CSLA that during nearly twenty years in fire services, he personally witnessed numerous emergencies where security personnel made a demonstrable difference — sometimes helping save lives and, in other cases, helping responders protect property that might otherwise have been lost.

These are precisely the kinds of contributions the Canadian Security Lifesaver Association exists to recognize.

Security professionals do much more than protect property. When it matters most, their actions can help protect — and save — lives.

February 12, 2023