Trainers CCTC (The Crisis and Contingency Training Company) report on training for security and control room supervisors.
The Ealing, west London-based contingency planning trainers are running a major incident course at the MIC Hotel and conference centre, Euston Street, London NW1 on October 4.
Directing the workshop are Malcolm Eidmans, the former Met Police man who had responsibility for major events in the capital; and Mike Davies, a former Met chief supt who was Head of the Public Order Branch at New Scotland Yard. Giving a presentation on bombs is Keith Simpson MBE, a former UK Special Forces explosives instructor. For details, ring CCTC on 020 82482306 or email [email protected]
Organisers say that the key respondents in any organisation when a major incident occurs are the security and control room supervisors. They are on site, the first to know and the first to respond to the situation. It is imperative that the decisions that they make are the right ones if lives are to be saved and property preserved. The first few minutes after an incident require decisions that can make the difference between life and death.<br><br>As the terrorist keeps evolving from different philosophies, so do the means of attack. They only need to be successful once to achieve the publicity that they want. We all need to be aware of these changes and to prepare and plan how to deal with them. The terrorist today operates on a world-wide basis and is prepared to commit suicide to achieve their goals. The latest Al-Queda inspired attacks demonstrate this and also illustrate the wide geographical range of targets that they will hit.<br><br>All major companies, together with buildings, and other plant and installations are potential targets, wherever they are in the UK. In particular, crowded places including shopping centres are very likely to feature in terrorists’ plans. They are usually locations with limited protective security measures and therefore offer the potential mass fatalities and casualties. It is because of these conditions that you need to ensure that supervisory staff (security, cleaning, food court, and control room staff) and management in a retail or office environment are fully trained and briefed. The best defence is to be prepared.<br><br>Since 1999 CCTC have been providers of major incident training for all levels of security management. For a number of years they have provided security supervisors’ training to major companies. This October they are running their first open one-day workshop for security supervisors with the aim of improving knowledge and skills throughout the industry in dealing with the present threat. This workshop was developed in conjunction with a large international property investment company whose portfolio has extensive exposure in shopping centres, retail parks and office complexes. Training to the usual high standard is led by top line experts who have dealt with terrorist attacks and it will be complimentary to training received by the emergency services.<br><br>The course aims to equip the security supervisor with the skills and knowledge to prevent injury to public and staff, limit damage to property and reduce disruption to trading. A major part of the workshop is to unlock team members experience and provide the opportunity for it to be shared by other team members. Delegates will learn the importance of planning and team building as a means of reducing damage.<br><br>The workshop will focus on prevention, preparation, evacuation and communication during a major incident and will include a presentation on the roles and procedures of the Emergency Services with an explanation of the command structure. There will also be a presentation from a former Special Forces member on the bomb as a terrorist tool. Delegates will be taken through an incident as it evolves from start to finish. <br><br>After lunch, the session continues with taking control, dealing with people and the media and handover issues, including roles and responsibilities of the security supervisor. The day finishes with a discussion dealing with the aftermath, investigation and debrief issues. Delegates finally create their own personal development plan based on what has been learnt during the day.<br><br>Security supervisors have a particular key role in combating terrorism and no-one knows when or where an attack will take place. Training must never be overlooked – it provides the key to an organisation’s self-defence if attacked. A fast, well planned response provided by trained staff and management will help reduce the damage. The time between the event and emergency services arriving is not wasted and will help them greatly to begin the work of rescue and investigation. <br><br>Details of this event and other training courses are available from CCTC:
