When organizing an event, whether it’s a corporate conference, music festival, or sports event, security is a top priority. One of the key elements to ensuring the safety and smooth execution of any event is training your staff to work with event security teams. It’s important to establish a well-coordinated relationship between your event staff and security personnel. Both teams need to understand their roles, responsibilities, and the specific security protocols required to keep everyone safe. In this blog, we will explore the steps you can take to effectively train your staff to work with event security teams to ensure seamless collaboration and a safe event.
Understanding the Importance of Coordination with Event Security Teams
Before diving into training methods, it’s important to recognize the significance of proper coordination between your event staff and the security teams. An uncoordinated response to a security threat can lead to confusion, delays, and, ultimately, jeopardize the safety of attendees. On the other hand, a well-trained staff working hand-in-hand with security ensures that issues are addressed swiftly and efficiently, creating a safe and welcoming environment for your guests.
By creating clear lines of communication and understanding the roles of both parties, you are setting the stage for a secure event. Both the event staff and security must know the emergency procedures, crowd control tactics, and how to handle various situations like evacuations, medical emergencies, and access control.
Step 1: Establish Clear Communication Channels
The first and most crucial step in training your staff to work with event security teams is establishing clear communication channels. Both teams need to be able to reach each other easily throughout the event, whether it’s via walkie-talkies, radios, or designated mobile apps.
Make sure all staff members are familiar with the security team’s point of contact and the methods of reaching security personnel in case of emergencies. Organizing a pre-event meeting where both teams can meet and introduce themselves helps establish rapport and trust. Use this time to clarify the security procedures and walk through the communication plan.
Step 2: Define Roles and Responsibilities
In order for your staff to work effectively with the event security teams, everyone must understand their roles and responsibilities. Event security teams have specialized training to handle emergencies, control crowds, and ensure safety. Your staff, however, will be focused on assisting guests, managing logistics, and ensuring the event runs smoothly. The key here is to understand that the security team’s role is primarily to handle security concerns, while your staff’s job is to support and ensure guests feel welcome and well-cared for.
During your training, break down the responsibilities of the security team and your staff. For example, if a security breach occurs, it’s critical that the event staff knows when to alert the security team and not attempt to handle the situation on their own. On the flip side, security personnel should understand how your staff is managing guest services and how they might be able to assist in certain situations.
Step 3: Run Simulated Scenarios
One of the best ways to ensure that both teams are ready for any situation is by running simulated scenarios. This allows you to test how well the staff and security teams work together under pressure. Create a variety of emergency situations such as medical emergencies, evacuations, or crowd control scenarios. Then, observe how each team responds and how they communicate with each other.
Simulations will help identify potential areas of improvement, allowing you to tweak your training before the real event. You can also practice handoffs between event staff and security when transitioning responsibilities, such as when security needs to manage an issue, and your staff needs to assist with crowd management or guest assistance.
Step 4: Train Your Staff on Security Protocols
While your staff may not be directly responsible for security, they should still be trained on basic security protocols. This includes knowing how to recognize potential security threats, how to handle suspicious individuals or behavior, and when to escalate the situation to the event security team.
Train your staff to be alert and observant, especially in large crowds. Emphasize the importance of maintaining a calm demeanor and being prepared to take action when necessary. For instance, they should understand how to report unusual behavior or security concerns to the right authorities immediately.
Additionally, staff should be aware of access control points and know how to manage restricted areas. They should be able to identify the event security team in uniforms or identify badges and know when to refer guests to them for help.
Step 5: Teach De-Escalation Techniques
In high-pressure situations, it’s easy for tensions to rise, especially in crowds. De-escalation techniques are an essential part of your staff’s training, as they can help prevent situations from escalating into something more serious. Teach your staff to stay calm, listen to the concerned individuals, and handle minor disputes in a way that doesn’t create a scene or raise tensions.
Security personnel are trained to handle more intense situations, but your event staff can help keep things under control before security needs to intervene. De-escalation training can also teach staff how to direct people in a friendly, calm manner and help manage stressful situations with a positive attitude.
Step 6: Create a Unified Emergency Plan
Ensure that both your event staff and security teams are on the same page when it comes to the emergency plan. This should include evacuation routes, designated safe areas, and how both teams will work together during an emergency. Both teams should know where to meet in case of an evacuation or other safety issue.
Provide your staff with emergency contact information and make sure they understand their role in evacuations, crowd control, and managing any unexpected situations. A unified emergency plan reduces confusion and ensures that both teams know exactly what to do during an emergency.
Step 7: Ongoing Training and Feedback
Training shouldn’t be a one-time event. Continuous training and feedback are key to ensuring your staff is prepared to handle any situation. Conduct regular training sessions, especially before large or high-risk events. Encourage feedback from both your staff and the security team to identify any gaps in coordination.
By maintaining an open line of communication and offering constructive feedback, you can continually improve your staff’s ability to work effectively with event security teams and ensure the safety of your event.
Conclusion
Training your staff to work with event security teams is essential for creating a secure and smooth-running event. Establishing clear communication, defining roles, running simulations, and teaching security protocols will help build a strong partnership between both teams. With ongoing training and a well-prepared staff, you can ensure your event is safe, secure, and enjoyable for all attendees.
Intraguard is one of the top home security companies, offering a range of services including CCTV surveillance, manned guarding, and patrols to protect your home across the UK.
