Ways Hospital Security Guards Ensure Safety

Like any business or commercial property, hospitals and other healthcare facilities have their own unique set of security concerns. They need to protect their patients, visitors and staff from violence and crime, but must do so in a highly professional manner. Security guards are a great help—here’s how hiring a hospital security guard in Fort Myers, FL ensures the safety and security of your healthcare facility:

  • Provides customer support: Besides having the training to serve and protect patients and staff, professional hospital security guards also provide customer support when needed. Once the hospital security guard learns the layout and inner workings of the facility, they can guide visitors to the correct department and even accompany patients to their doctor’s office. They can also help people find their cars in large parking areas.
  • Manages access to sensitive areas: Hospitals tend to have an open-door policy for visitors. However, healthcare facilities run the risk of visitors accessing unauthorized areas, whether on accident or on purpose. The breach of a sensitive area can compromise the hospital’s environment, which is supposed to be safe. When you have a security guard on the premises, he or she can station themselves at the entrance to certain areas and check IDs or badges to ensure a patient, visitor or staff member has the proper authorization.
  • Ensures peace of mind in chaotic areas: If your hospital typically sees high volumes of patients, chances are, chaos is a daily thing. This rings especially true for hospitals with psychiatric units. Patients may act up without warning, attacking staff or visitors. Have security at the ready for safety. Trained security guards are also on site to stop mentally disturbed patients from harming themselves.
  • Knows fire safety: The reason why hospitals need to follow safety precautions more closely than other kinds of establishments is due to the fact that there’s complex electrical equipment, volatile chemicals, oxygen tanks and combustible gases on the property. These make hospitals more prone to all sorts of fire hazards. In the event of a fire breakout, hospital security guards can help guide patients, visitors and healthcare professionals out of the building and contact the fire department. Additionally, a security guard can be on the lookout for potential fire hazards to prevent fires.
  • Maintains order: Hospitals are crowded, fast-paced places. Patients come in for appointments or procedures, nurses and doctors are always on the move and visitors sometimes find themselves lost. There’s no doubt that this can create a stressful environment. Stressed patients and family members do not need more reasons to feel anxious. This is where security guards come into play—they can handle crowds and keep foot traffic moving in the right direction, as well as help de-escalate stressful situations.
  • Prevents thefts and an array of other crimes: Hospitals are not immune to the types of crimes other establishments face. From theft to physical violence to kidnappings, oftentimes the mere presence of security guards is enough to stop crime before it can happen.

Call American Pride Security Services, Inc. today to learn more about the benefits of hiring a hospital security guard in Fort Myers, FL!

The Three Levels of Security Guards

Despite all the jokes about “mall cops,” security guards require thorough education and training. Depending on the investment in that training, a security protection officer in Fort Myers, FL will rate on a particular security guard level that reflects their expertise. This can help clients determine if they require armed or unarmed guards and know which level is most appropriate to their situation. Also, if you’ve ever considered being a security professional, this gives you a good idea of what to expect and the opportunities in store if you invest in your security education.  Here are the three security guard levels and their roles in this industry:

  • Level II Beginning: All guards start at Level II, which is the most basic level. To reach this level, an individual must attend a course that includes six hours of security basics. Topics include ethics, prevention, criminal offenses, writing reports, emergency response and basic weapons handling. Level II guards are normally not allowed to carry firearms, but they may be equipped with tasers to ensure defense of themselves and others.
  • Level III Mid Level: After a guard masters all the elements of Level II, they may look into certifying into Level III. Once completed, they have all the education and experience of the previous level, except they can also be armed. Those desiring entry into Level III must participate in a 45-hour course that concludes with a written test, which must produce a passing score. Course content is a mix of classroom and physical training, as students learn weapons, defense and more advanced material. Once obtained, this opens up job opportunities in more intense sectors.
  • Level IV Personal Protection: In order to have access to more lucrative jobs involving personal protection, guards must be certified as Level IV. This allows them to serve in roles as bodyguards, and doing this effectively requires specific education. For this upgrade, you need to take an additional 15-hour course that covers use of force, personal force, bodyguarding and defensive strategies. As this opens up new and exciting opportunities, many security guards strive for this level.

In addition to coursework, you will also have to pass background checks and show that you are of outstanding character. Your job grants you access to people’s homes, businesses and, in some cases, personal space and money. It is imperative that you prove yourself dedicated and trustworthy, which is why this industry sets up many hoops for you to jump as you navigate your way to becoming a security protection officer.

If you have the background and training to become a security protection officer in Fort Myers, FL at American Pride Security Services, Inc., we would love to hear from you. We’ve been serving area clients for over 35 years and bring the highest level of professionalism to every job. Contact us today or fill out the online application so we can see if you are a good fit for our dedicated team of security professionals. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Get to Know Our Security Elite Team (SET)

Tensions rise with today’s current events. For that reason, you may require emergency security services in Fort Myers, FL and may not have a lot of lead time to find the right people for the job. That is where our Security Elite Team (SET) comes in. This group of professionals offers military and police experience and is comprised of the finest security professionals in the industry. They excel at providing emergency coverage and serving high-profile clients. Here are five reasons why you may require the services of our SET:

  • Short staffed: Even closed businesses require security, especially if the masses are restless and cause trouble. If you have personnel who call in sick or need to be quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure, you need fill-in security quickly. The SET here at American Pride Security Services, Inc. is available when you are short staffed on your security needs.
  • Alarm failure: If your alarm system is being repaired or reinstalled, that leaves your home or business vulnerable. Since security staff often work in partnership with electronic solutions, you need extra personnel while your alarm system is not functioning. This is a temporary need, but it still requires professional attention. Our SET is there to fill that gap.
  • Community monitoring: COVID-19 is leading to quarantines and shelter-in-place orders. If you run a gated community, that may mean better monitoring of who enters and exits the premises. While you do not need to question everyone to ensure they are only taking on essential errands, it is essential to monitor extra traffic entering the community and avoiding unauthorized guests and exposure. Also, as some people become restless during lockdowns, they make poor decisions. Sometimes that requires security intervention.
  • Natural disasters: When the atmosphere is uncertain, civil unrest is a possibility. That can lead to crime, assault and property damage. The best way to deter bad behavior is with trained and visible security guards. Our SET is prepared for these extreme situations and offers peace of mind for your personal safety and property.
  • Unexpected situations: As we are learning now, things change quickly, and the world you wake up to may not be the same one you knew when you fell asleep the night before. This causes fear and uncertainty, and it is exhausting to be on high alert at all times. But there is one thing you can rely upon: the preparation of out SET. Our elite team can adapt to rapidly changing situations and is ready to respond. Your only job is to be safe and avoid exposure as much as possible while we take care of the rest.

Our SET is professionally trained, and each individual must pass a series of background checks. Their experience includes private security, law enforcement and military service, and they can respond to violent situations effectively, normally by de-escalating them. Depending on your needs, we offer both armed and unarmed guards.

American Pride Security Services, Inc. offers emergency security services in Fort Myers, FL in your time of need. Contact us today to schedule a survey and consultation.

Security Necessities for Houses of Worship

Sadly, hearing all the stories of violence across the country means that we constantly have to think about our personal safety. Knowing where the exit points in a room are located or how to prevent a break-in are just two of the things everyone should have in the back of their mind. This even applies when we’re at a house of worship. Continue reading to learn more about church security in Fort Myers, FL and how we can help:

  • Get a security consultation: The first step every house of worship should take when it comes to security is getting a consultation. A consultation with one of our professionals will identify weak points and allow us to develop a plan to fix them. With a proper plan in place, we can prevent both violent crimes and robberies from occurring.
  • Install cameras: Every house of worship should have cameras placed around the exterior and interior near any donation boxes. Security cameras don’t just help identify a perpetrator after a crime has been committed—they can also prevent one from happening in the first place.
  • Hire guards: Stationing a security guard out in front of the building is a major deterrent for anyone thinking about committing a crime. If someone attempts to start trouble, one of our trained guards will take him down and alert the authorities.
  • Stay vigilant: Our security guards do whatever they can to prevent crimes from happening, but we ask that all members of the congregation stay vigilant. The saying “If you see something, say something” applies wherever you go, even if it’s to church.

We’re the most trusted name in security!

Nobody beats our team at American Pride Security Services, Inc. when it comes to church security in Fort Myers, FL. Here are a few of the reasons houses of worship choose us to guard their facilities:

  • Licensed agency: Anyone can put on a badge and claim to be a security guard, but that’s not how we operate! We’re a licensed security agency, and each guard we hire is registered as a State of Florida Security Officer.
  • Trained professionals: Going along with the point above, all of our guards have some form of previous experience working in the security field. When one of our guards shows up at your church, you can rest easy knowing that’s not their first day on duty.
  • Tailored to meet your needs: Whether you need one guard stationed out front during a service or 24/7 patrols, we can accommodate your needs. We’ll come up with a custom plan just for you after we’ve provided a security consultation for your facility.
  • Satisfaction guaranteed: We’re so sure you’ll be happy with our level of service that we offer a quality guarantee. If there’s an issue that can’t be resolved, we will terminate the remainder of your contract at no cost to you.

Don’t jeopardize the wellbeing of any members of your congregation—call American Pride Security Services, Inc. today to arrange for church security in Fort Myers, FL.

Five Steps to Take After a Break-In

Hopefully, you’ll never experience a robbery, but if you do, it’s essential that you know the proper steps to take afterwards so you can get on with your life. This post from your trusted security professionals will cover a few valuable safety tips in Fort Myers, FL:

  • Alert the authorities: Your first step after you notice a break-in is to call 911. Even if the perpetrator is long-gone, the police will still need to file a report and get a statement from you. If we’re lucky, the police will be able to catch the thief before he strikes again.
  • See what’s missing: Once the area has been cleared, you’ll need to walk around and make a record of what’s been stolen. Jewelry, cash and electronics are the typical big-ticket items thieves look for, but they could steal anything that’s valuable.
  • File an insurance claim: Assuming the robber was able to get away with some valuable items, you’ll want to file a claim with your insurance company. Though they can’t replace your treasures, your insurance company can at least write you a check for the cost of the stolen goods.
  • Change your locks: There’s never a better time to change your locks than after a break-in! Getting new locks on all your exterior doors helps keep your home safe and gives you peace of mind that the robber won’t be able to return quite so easily.
  • Schedule a security consultation: Finally, you’ll want to call a team of security professionals and arrange a consultation. A consultation is the ultimate way to ensure your home or business is as safe as it can be going forward.

Benefits of a security consultation

Arranging a security consultation is one of our best safety tips in Fort Myers, FL. Here’s how one can help your business or home:

  • Know potential weak spots: Even with security cameras and alarm systems, all areas of your building or home aren’t equally protected. A professional security consultation will identify these weak spots so we can beef up security in those areas.
  • Develop a plan: Depending on the weak spots identified above, we’ll tailor a plan to suit your needs. This plan could include everything from setting up security cameras to hiring full-time guards. No two cases are exactly alike, which is why we take plenty of time to develop the best approach for you.
  • Prevent future break-ins: With the right plan in place, we can prevent a break-in from ever occurring again. Consultations aren’t free, but compared to facing another break-in, the cost is well worth it.
  • Ensure peace of mind: We guarantee your mind will be at ease after speaking with our professionals. Our security experts have decades of industry experience providing comprehensive consultations for homeowners and businesses.

Whether you’ve been the victim of a break-in or you just want to prevent one altogether, be sure to give our team at American Pride Security Services, Inc. a call. In addition to providing some great safety tips in Fort Myers, FL, we’ve been providing trustworthy security services for over three decades—we look forward to assisting you soon!