subject: Event Security, Getting It Right [print this page] Event and party planners have the same fundamental decision to make and that is hiring the best event security staff for their function.
When making this determination you could decide to adopt the path of minimal resistance and contract either the first security company that you encounter or go with the cheapest option you were able to find.
If you are only looking to make up the numbers or have a necessary condition of your insurance to fulfil then you may get away with this attitude but you will not be able to guarantee the quality of the staff you have just hired.
What you need consider is that event security staff are habitually the initial point of contact when anybody turns up to your event and if their appearance and demeanour are entirely deficient then it will reflect terribly on you.
As event security members are almost always the first point of contact for patrons, then should you get the staffing wrong then you will very quickly realise that your career has been irrevocably stained and will be beyond redemption.
In addition to the wastage of the budget money, your reputation for being the purveyor of quality services is now defunct.
You may be aware of the old maxim, less is more, and when it comes to employing a quality show and event security operative then you will find it to be entirely appropriate.
When choosing a potential event security service provider I would recommend looking for that extra incentive.
Select a security company whose employees have added core skills, core skills that have been tested on a daily basis, somebody whose experience derives from the likes of the emergency services.
It makes perfect sense to hire a company such as this because in addition to security skills they will have superior trauma management skills, blue light training, experience in major incident responses and this is to name but a few additional attributes.
If you are responsible for the organisation of a function and if you are given the chance of either hiring two security operatives who are on minimum wage or hiring a single guy who is, at the outset, more costly but has all of the formerly mentioned additional attributes then I would select the lone guy.
Why would you do this?
Simple, the two being paid minimum wage will not put in any extra effort, whereas the single operative is a proven professional and will be dedicated to fulfilling any given task to the best of their abilities.
When you start to view it in this context then you will see that you are getting the best value for your money, a great ambassador for your company, an operative who is tried and tested in exacting environments and someone who is capable of dealing with a multitude of additional scenarios.
Do your homework and locate an up and coming security company who look to offer event security operatives who are not just from past military backgrounds but from the emergency services.
Contacting such a security company will put you in touch with an eager to please firm whose staff will possess a wealth of experience and knowledge as regards security and they will be well practised in trauma care and health and safety matters.
