Feelings of panic can sweep over you, your staff, and your guests when a fire alarm goes off at an event that you're holding. If you've hired a couple of security professionals to provide security for the event, you can feel confident that they'll be huge assets at this difficult time. Regardless of the type of venue at which you find yourself and the size of the crowd, you can expect your security professionals to jump into action and respond in a professional manner. Here are some roles that your security officers will play when a fire alarm sounds.
Helping To Evacuate
Most people know that they need to evacuate the premises when a fire alarm goes off, but this process may be challenging for some people. Your security personnel will immediately look for attendees who are having trouble with mobility and offer assistance. For example, someone in a wheelchair may not be able to leave the premises very quickly, but this won't be a problem if you have trained event security professionals at the scene. A security officer will quickly approach this individual and push him or her in the wheelchair out of the building.
Assessing The Cause
While the local fire department may soon be on the way to the scene, your security professionals will work to assess the cause for the alarm — typically, once they make sure that everyone is safely outside of the building. For example, if someone was smoking in the bathroom and set off the alarm, the security officers can identify this issue and relay it to the first responders as well as air out the bathroom so that the alarm stops ringing. If they encounter a small, manageable fire, the security officers have the training to grab a nearby fire extinguisher and attempt to control the blaze.
Securing The Valuables
Unscrupulous individuals might pull a fire alarm and then attempt to commit theft in your event venue. For example, if someone were to pull an alarm at a fundraiser, he or she might be able to steal some silent auction items while everyone flees the building. Your security officers will quickly identify the location of the valuables and secure them. This could involve having one officer remain near the valuables, or perhaps gathering them up and securely taking them outside. Given these important roles, you'll appreciate your decision to hire professional security personnel for your event.
If you need to hire an event security company, look for one like Protection Plus.