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    When image interfers with safety, preparing for the what if factor! 

    by
    respondertrainingservices
    Published on 04-03-2012 06:30     Number of Views: 222 

    I recently returned from a trip to Cape Breton to the Whycobah First Nation on behalf of a client. All of the candidates on the course had no prior training and no experience in the industry. Many of them had the belief that do to their small stature they simply felt they were not capable of repelling a spontaneous assault. Their employer's policy being that they were not to get themselves involved in a physical confrontation, call the police. Personally I feel this is a very good policy, however is it enough?


    Another interesting thing my client mentioned was that the vast majority of his staff do not carry duty gear, such as handcuffs or batons, even though many are trained and qualified, because his clients "Don't want that in their stores they don't want the security guard making arrests they want the police to handle that". While I can respect a store owner wishing to preserve an "image" and create a friendly atmosphere for his or her customers, where do we draw the line between image and safety? How can we thwart the negative attitudes towards our duty equipment or even our profession for that matter? Better yet how can we allow a customer or even a person outside of our industry, one with no knowledge, training or experience dictate policy?


    The answers to these questions is EDUCATION, promoting understanding, giving those customers who are forking over those thousands of dollars a year for a security guard the knowledge, training, and experience. Take a police officer for example. Look at the amount of equipment they carry to work, handcuffs, radio, baton, oc spray, baton, Tazer®, sidearm, ammunition, body armor... Why does a Police Officer carry SO MUCH equipment? Well under the law as Peace Officers they have a very heavy mandate, and a serious obligation to public safety. At the same time they too must always consider their own safety. What good is a seriously injured or dead cop? Not much. So then why doesn't that apply to a security worker? Sure we don't have the same mandate or responsibility of a police officer... or do we?


    Private Security means just that... PRIVATE. Most of the time you see a security guard is because a private business has hired them. Regardless of the threat level, it is high enough to require some one to deter it. Security workers have made arrests, have used force within their workplaces, and areas of responsibility, whether it be to effect an arrest or for their own self defense. While the police are present for the preservation of the pubic peace, a security worker is there for the preservation of the private business and pubic who frequent or attend that business, and we must be just as equally prepared.

    Security workers often times face the same dangers as police officers, this harsh reality is shown in the Nova Scotia Supreme Court Case R. v. A.J.D. where a teenager single handily stabbed and severely wounded 4 security workers in a matter of a few moments at the Halifax Forum in 2007. Prior to this incident there no warnings and no perception of threats from the defendant. While the security workers began to remove one patron the crowd became a mob and started yelling and shouting against the security workers who were simply doing their jobs. A.J.D. after ingesting about 10-20 pills of Valium and about a pint of tequila entered what was later described as an agitated and excited state of mind. He viciously attacked 3 of the security workers, one who became mortally wounded after receiving a slash through the abdomen. A.J.D. sustained several strikes with ASP Batons, however he then proceeded to chase the third security worker who was attempting to talk him down. A.J.D. simply replied “You don’t get it, I’m going to kill you” the crowd appallingly chanted for A.J.D. to “finish them off” (security workers) it was only until the sound of police sirens in the distance that A.J.D. took flight. When asked later why he targeted the security workers he simply replied "because they were security, I wanted to make a name for myself". At the time of this incident A.D.J. was sixteen years old.



    There are two things I have noticed during my time in the private sector:


    1) The public is UNEDUCATED! Generally speaking the public always believes they are the "experts", they know what is best when it comes to protecting there own property or businesses, this is sometimes the case, however in most cases it is not. 15 years ago many private security guards were simply "doorman"... today I don't think there is a single moment when I step into the city that I do not see one. Most of the time I see more "Security" patrol cars then I do Police cruisers, what is wrong with this picture? Business is clearly booming and a security guard costs half as much as a police officer and often times promotes the same level of deterrent.


    2) Security Workers are UNEDUCATED! Now I do not mean public education, I'm speaking about workplace education, knowing your job, what your duties and responsibilities are. I myself when I first started was simply told "put on this uniform and just stand there, look mean and scary" until I arrived at the store and was warned about a customer who frequently comes in with a Louisville slugger to steal drugs... are you joking me? Even after teaching for the last almost 5 years I still find that workers do not know what there limitations are, where they draw there powers under the law, the difference between being a security guard and a peace officer, or even have the ability to articulate their actions during training let alone and actual real life event.


    We have an obligation both as employers and educators to ensure that not only our staff are educated and aware but also that our clients are made aware of the dangers that security workers face. The Nova Scotia Department of Justice is the only province in the Maritimes which allows security staff to carry handcuffs and batons, these are TOOLS NOT WEAPONS. Criminals and those who would break the law will use weapons against us, a weapon is not limited to a knife, an object, or firearm, weapons could also include a person’s own body, fists, legs, knees, elbows. In today's world of MMA everyone is a potential fighter, much of the training I provide and have received is based on mixed martial arts and can be found in many disciplines such as Muay Tai, Jujitsu, and Boxing. Training videos from famous UFC fighters such as Chuck Liddell, Bas Ruten, and GSP all have training videos, YouTube® is flooded with training videos in fighting, grappling, take downs, and so on. Why is it we have to WAIT for a serious incident to occur before we invite change? Why can we not be the wise men and learn from the mistakes or hard lessons from others before we welcome change?


    This was one of the main concerns during my time working in the health care system. When the subject was brought up, many people would say things like "Why would we/you possibly need that, you deal with children, what could possibly go wrong at a children's hospital". Little did some of these people realize that it wasn't the "little Billy's" we were being called to deal with. I remember one patient standing 6'0, 175lbs, and requiring a minimum of 5 - 6 staff members to simply keep them restrained. With little or sense of pain, or the 5'6" 140lbs girl who had become routinely violent that physical and "soft" restraints along with inter-muscular injections became the SOP however in most cases “approval” had to be given so we were left to physically restrain this person for up to 30-40 min.

    My favorite however was the 5'8" 185lbs muscular, high school quarter back who could do endless about of handstand push ups…at 18. One who had such a potential for violence that police had to be called, on one or two occasions, and arrived with 6 members and a supervisor who indicated he was prepared to use a Tazer® after being briefed on the situation and the history of violence this particular patient had. Again, we requested to be allowed to use handcuffs and again we were told “it was not appropriate.” The same response was given when we requested stab resistant body armor after finding several edged weapons. Later it was said “it was an isolated incident”. Then the shootings occurred several weeks later and we were issued the armor.



    I have always been a firm believer in preparation. One of the best things my instructor trainer Kelly Keith, a 20 Year police veteran and internationally recognized expert in use of force training, said to me was “if you see it fought, you’ll see it taught”. His firm belief was that if its seen on the cruiser videos, then its something we all should prepare and train for. This idea is something that I have burned into my own training methods, much of the scenario and reality based training I subject my students to, are examples of the situations and incidents that I and my peers have faced previously. The truth is many of us as security workers will not find ourselves in these extreme of circumstances, statistics have shown that 97% of all encounters have been dealt with verbally with only 3% of incidents requiring the use of force. Regardless of the statistics we have to train for that 3%.

    This is the mindset that we as trainers, educators and employers need to focus on in the private sector. It is never a matter of IF something will happen its always a matter of WHAT IF something happens, its about being prepared and ready so Murphy’s Law doesn’t catch us with our pants down, because then people get seriously hurt or die and there is no price tag on life.


    --
    Cameron Dopler
    Director, Officer Safety/ Use of Force Instructor
    Responder Training Services
    Halifax, Nova Scotia
    902/ 402- 4746
    respondertrainingservices@gmail.com
    www.respondertrainingservices.com

    "The more you sweat in training, the less you will bleed in battle"
    2 Comments

    Police Duty bag with Vehicle Organizer 911 gear.ca 

    by
    911Gear.ca
    Published on 03-28-2012 22:17     Number of Views: 199 


    DUTY BAG VEHICLE ORGANIZER

    Introducing the second generation of our 911 Gear Duty Bag with Vehicle Organizer. We have added some new great new things to the bag. We added an additional glove holder on rear of the bag. We have improved the pockets inside the organizer to include a hand sanitizer bottle pouch, 2 loops for your sunglasses and your flashlight.

    Inside the lid we added an adjustable headrest loop to enable you to secure it around the headrest of your car to keep the bag top open. Finally we added a seat belt pass through at the rear of the bag to allow you to secure the bag to the seat using your cars seatbelt. This keeps the bag on the seat no matter what you encounter. We are proud of this new bag.

    The 911 gear Vehicle organizer duty bag addresses the need for both a duty bag and a vehicle organizer in one design. This duty bag gets you to work, to your vehicle and home with one duty bag. Its holds all the items you carry in your duty bag and in your vehicle organizer in one convenient place. Imagine everything you need in one place with an organizer thats put your important items at your fingertips. We have a glove holder to make 2 glove holders on the bag. One on the outside rear of the bag and a second one in the organizer to allow quick access to your gloves.

    There is a bottle holder to hold your drinks with a zippered money holder, pens slots, document holders, mesh pockets for change or other incidentals. We added two loops to hold your flashlight or your sunglasses or both. There are two spots to hold business cards or pass cards. Two large document pockets for folders or books.

    There are two pockets on inside of top panel of organizer, two document pockets on top of lid tiered to maximize space. The pocket zips off to allow for custom embroidery or adding department or agency logo's or patches. We also sell bag tops printed in reflective lettering in SECURITY, POLICE, BAIL AGENT and a large selection of Agency names we will be adding.

    Bag Specifications:

    - Black Nylon.
    - Carrying Straps with velcro to attach to each other.
    - Quick release, adjustable shoulder release with shoulder pad
    - Loop to attach bag top to head rest
    - Seatbelt pass through on rear to anchor bag seat
    - Glove holder outside rear
    - Baton straps on lid of bag
    - 2 large side pockets
    - Zipper fobs to assist in zipper closure
    - Zip down vehicle organizer
    - Double zipper lid and organizer pockets
    - Double Top zipper pockets that are 12" long x 8" wide x 3 inches tall with top ..pocket designed to allow easy custom embroidery
    ..or sewing or add one of our lids printed with reflective letters.
    - Exterior zippers protected from elements under flaps

    Inside and Top of Bag

    - Zipper closure with ties
    - Soft divider
    - Inside mesh pocket 10" x 10" (zipper)
    - Glove Holder inside lid
    - Exterior bag top zippers protected from
    ..elements under flaps
    - 2 x utility pockets
    - 1 x slit pocket
    - Pen loops
    - 2mm plastic support inserts inside all 4 corners
    ..of the bag for added support

    Vehicle Organizer

    - 17" wide x 11" high (approx)
    - Double zipper closure
    - Bottle holder with Paper Money holder (zipper)
    - Credit card / pass card holders
    - Two zippered mesh pockets
    - Hand sanitizer bottle holder
    - Two large document, file or book holders
    - Sunglasses or flashlight loops
    - 2 x velcro pouches.
    - Pen slots in two different spots in organizer
    - Open pocket on organizer face
    - Swivel key chain
    - Pocket with flap on organizer face big enough
    ..for a notebook

    Bag Measurements (approximate)

    Interior area (main bag)
    - 17" wide x 12" High x 8” Deep
    - Inside zipper mesh pocket 10" x 10"

    Exterior
    - 18" long x 13" Tall

    Becoming a Professional Bodyguard 

    by
    jrgettierdel
    Published on 03-24-2012 18:54     Number of Views: 209 

    Bodyguards are security specialists that protect individuals from incurring physical harm. They also prevent possible kidnappings, acts of invasion of privacy, destruction or theft of property as well as any other related tasks. There is much more involved in working as a bodyguard than protection, as the specialist must complete many documents, operate vehicles, control crowds, communicate with the public, and possibly even save the lives of those around them using various techniques such as first aid and CPR. Do your proper research to see if you need to get trained to deliver executive security services or if personal body guard training will suffice.

    There is quite a big difference in working as a security guard and an bodyguard, and the two should not be confused. Security guards usually work in a much lower capacity, often working in parking lots of buildings and stores and ensuring that things are as they should be, while keeping written logs of the various rounds that they must make. They report any unusual activity, theft, and they may even possibly detain suspects in certain situations until the police arrive. Some security officers are armed, although most are not. On the other hand, professional bodyguards actually risk their lives in order to ensure the safety of the person or persons they are protecting, and this is done with a great deal of skill and expertise. According to Heidi Zeigler, author of the book Bodyguard, “There are many different kinds of dangers and threats in which bodyguards protect their clients. These threats can include kidnapping, murder and blackmail.”


    Securing a Job as a Bodyguard

    Before becoming a bodyguard, an interested individual should first decide if risking their life in order to protect others is something that they really want to do. After that has been decided, the next step is to obtain the necessary training, either by paying for the training courses out of pocket or by securing employment with an agency who will provide all the training, and depending on the company, even provide payment while training to work as a professional bodyguard for their company. Individuals have the choice of working for actual government agencies such as the FBI, CIA, etc, starting a new company after completing all the proper training courses, or even working for a private bodyguard agency.


    Education and Training Requirements

    According to a job posting for a professional security job which is equivalent to a bodyguard position, with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), a bachelors degree is required. Usually, however, only a high school education is usually necessary in order to work as a bodyguard, but there is a great deal of in-depth and specialized training required. The training that a bodyguard must undergo can be extensive. Bodyguards can work in different capacities, with different job descriptions requiring a different amount of skills. Training that virtually every armed escort must undergo in order to start a successful career includes but is not limited to: firearms training and the ability to obtain a CCW (carrying concealed weapon), first aid and CPR, defensive tactics, tactical shooting, hostage negotiation, emergency evacuations, and a immense amount more.


    Skills

    Aside from the actual training involved in becoming a bodyguard, individuals working in this type of field are also required to possess other specialized skills, many that can only be obtained through experience. The ability to maintain the confidentiality of clients at all times is one of the most important skills. There is also the necessity to listen raptly, communicate effectively and observe the surroundings thoroughly as well at all times. In addition, successful bodyguards must also be able to effectively handle extremely stressful situations without it interfering with their job performance.


    Physical Requirements

    In order to work and be successful, bodyguards must meet certain minimum physical requirements. Physical agility is an absolute must, as the job often requires frequent travel by car as well as on-foot. Being height and weight proportionate is not always necessary as long as the bodyguard is in good physical shape and is capable of withstanding potential instances that may require physical excursion. Since bodyguards can never predict when an emergency situation may arise which would necessitate the immediate escort of a client out of possibly threatening circumstances, the bodyguard needs to be capable of physically running for long distances, if necessary.


    Salary

    The average entry level salary of a bodyguard varies depending on the job’s geographic location, but averages about $50,000 a year. A bodyguard or with specialized skills, such those acquired through additional training, can earn as much as $100,000 a year or possibly even more. The more potentially life-threatening a particular job is as well as the more responsibilities a bodyguard is willing to accept can greatly increase earning potential. Other important factors that determines how much an bodyguard can earn are:


    . Experience with celebrities and other VIPs
    . Availability to work internationally and is able to travel frequently
    . Willingness to perform special duties
    . The status and reputation of a bodyguard


    Working as a bodyguard can prove to be a very stressful and dangerous job at times, but with hard work, regular clients, and the ability to schedule time in-between jobs for rest and relaxation, it can be a very rewarding career, both financially as well as personally.

    First aid training, learning is not enough 

    by
    Auron119
    Published on 02-23-2012 21:01

    I was working at a marina about three years ago, still in college with minimal security experience, before mandatory certification. ...
    Read More Read More 3 Comments

    Cool cop 

    by
    admin
    Published on 02-20-2012 18:28     Number of Views: 315 

    Watch how cool and collected this cop as he fires through his windshield at a guy firing an AK47 at him.

    New Fusion Patrol Duty Belt HD - Coming Soon 

    by
    911Gear.ca
    Published on 02-11-2012 10:07     Number of Views: 401 

    Turtleskin Body Armor now available at 911gear.ca, 911 Gear Canada, 911 Gear 

    by
    911Gear.ca
    Published on 01-29-2012 14:58     Number of Views: 448 

    TurtleSkin® Body Armor is Science for Life

    TurtleSkin Body Armor® offers a new approach to ballistic and stab protection, with testing methods that go beyond industry minimum requirements to ensure higher safety margins for ballistic and blunt trauma protection.
    Why do we test our body armor so rigorously? Your life depends on it. Our soft panel body armor is engineered to a higher standard, from inspiration to design to development. This means a body armor package that provides significant tactical advantages without sacrificing your comfort, flexibility, or concealability.

    TurtleSkin SoftPlate Body Armor:

    Level IIIA Ballistic Vests
    From engineering and testing for higher safety margins to design elements based on advanced fit, TurtleSkin Body Armor technology is the new benchmark of performance for Level IIIA concealable ballistic vests. TurtleSkin Body Armor is engineered to reduce non-penetrating injuries associated with blunt trauma to the chest and torso. TurtleSkin Body Armor provides comfort, concealability, and custom fit in designs for both men and women.

    Find out more about TurtleSkin Ballistic Body Armor

    TurtleSkin Corrections Stab Resistant Body Armor:

    Made with Flexible TurtleSkin MFA for Combined Spike and Edged Weapon Protection
    TurtleSkin Concealable Corrections Vests and TurtleSkin Cell Extraction Vests are made with TurtleSkin MFA (Metal Flex Armor) Material, the first body armor stab material that provides protection from knives, edged weapons, spikes, and needle threats in one thin, flexible, and lightweight panel. TurtleSkin Corrections vests are designed to offer a combination of Edged Weapon Level 3 and Spike Level 3 protection. They do not offer ballistic protection but improve overall performance of a ballistic body armor package by further reducing blunt trauma.

    Find out more about TurtleSkin Corrections Stab Resistant Body Armor

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