SECURITY OFFICER TRAINING HQ

Securing Your Future

The Difference Between a Security Officer and a Security Guard

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Do you know the difference? This literally could be the most important question ever asked throughout your career in the security industry. It’s ok if you don’t know the answer because I’m going to reveal it right here. The difference between a Security Officer and a Security Guard is …about ten bucks per hour!

That’s right. Nothing against Security Guards…but many times, Security Officers have more skills, more experience, and more training than “Guards”…and that training and experience will result in much higher paying positions. Pretty simple.

In addition, Security Officers have many more options to choose from in the specialty fields of protection services. I’ll dive into this topic in much more detail in the near future.

So…if you’re just getting started in the Security business, or even if you’ve been in the industry for some time, knowing the difference between a Security Guard and a Security Officer can make a huge impact on your future earnings.

Don’t settle for being a Security Guard. Become a highly skilled Security Officer. (It takes more time and dedication, but the payback is worth it!)

Stay Feisty!

Security Officer Training… In Your Underwear?

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Learn more about the Security Industry in your underwear
Learn more about the Security Industry in your underwear

Ok…I know the title of this post is a little cheesy. But…I think if you just give me a chance to really put this in perspective, you’ll agree that it’s time well spent for you!

Let’s start with some basic principles that we know are true.

  1. Security Services are in demand today more than ever! It’s a 600 Billion + Industry
  2. Security Personnel who have the proper training will acquire the highest paying jobs.
  3. Security Officers who have “specialized” training are in more demand than entry-level Security Officers.

Are you interested in becoming a Security professional? Yes…Yes, you say…

If so, the outlook for jobs in this field are unlimited! However, I want to keep this real so if you want a high paying job in the security industry you must have experience. If you don’t have any experience you’ll be just fine…but you need to get started as soon as possible! So…where should you start?

Well…this is where we get to the title of this post!

The easiest and most convenient method to learn about the Security industry is by taking an on-line course. Of course there are many different types of on-line courses available to you but they all differ in the content, cost, and length. Many courses require “on-the-job” training and others can be discovered while sitting at home in your underwear! (yes, it’s true…and I’ll prove it in a minute!)

I have spent the past 28 years in the Security Industry and it has been “beddy, beddy, good to me!” (sorry if I spelled that wrong!)

I also have made a lot of money in the security industry…contrary to what you might hear from other Security Guards. (See my post on The Difference Between a Security Officer and a Security Guard)

I have been asked literally thousands of times in my career… “How to I get a job like yours?” And I always reply with a standard answer… “The Security industry is a great career but you need to know the basics before you can move up to the more advanced positions. Start with the basics!”

And…yes…you really can start with the basics…even in your underwear. I created an online Security Officer course just for those men and women, like you, that want to know more about the security industry and how to get started. And you wanna’ know the best part about my on-line Security Officer course? (besides the underwear thing…)

It’s cheaper than the price of going out to dinner!

So…take a minute to discover more about a real career with unlimited opportunities!

Invest in yourself…you won’t regret it!

Ready to get started?

Take a look at how to Start a Lucrative Career in the Private Security Industry

Good luck! And don’t put it off any longer…do it now!

Colt

 

Security Officer’s Training Guide to Putting Out Fires

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Security Officers are often called upon to react as first responders during an emergency. As a first responder, every Security Officer should have some basic skills related to fire extinguishing training.

Introduction to Fire Extinguishers

Let’s start with the basics. Using the wrong fire extinguisher on a fire can make matters worse. It is important to understand fire extinguisher ratings.  The numeral on a fire extinguisher indicates the approximate square footage of fire the extinguisher can handle.  For example, a fire extinguisher with a numeral rating of 4A can handle twice the range of a fire extinguisher with a 2A rating.
The photo included with this post shows a detailed look at the design of a common fire extinguisher found in most homes and business environments. This photo gives you a nice visual of how an extinguisher works. However, the safest and fastest method to putting out a small fire is to use the correct type of extinguisher.

The Five Classes of Fire Extinguishers

Did you even know there are five different types (classes) of fire extinguishers? Many Security Officers do not know this simple fact. Here are the five types:

A class fire extinguishers: Pressurized water, multipurpose dry chemical, larger size halon, and wet chemical.  (Trash, Wood, and Paper).

B class fire extinguisher:  Multipurpose dry chemical, carbon dioxide, and halon. (Liquid and Grease).

C class fire extinguisher:  Multipurpose dry chemical, carbon dioxide, halon, and wet chemical. (Electrical Equipment).

D class fire extinguisher:  Combustible metal fires only.

K class fire extinguisher:  Wet chemicals (Cooking Media)

FIREFIGHTING DECISION CRITERIA

The fire extinguishers in most buildings are mainly for the use of trained emergency response personnel or the fire department.  As a Security Officer, you may have the following responsibilities in an emergency:

Know the emergency procedures and evacuation routes.
Remember…do not attempt to fight a fire unless:
The fire is small, and it is contained.
You have a safe egress route (can be reached without exposure to fire).
The available extinguishers are rated for the size and type of the fire.
If in doubt, EVACUATE!

FIGHTING THE FIRE

Once you’ve made the decision to take action, use the P.A.S.S. method to put the fire out:

Make sure the pressure gauge shows the fire extinguisher is fully charged.

Pull the pin

Aim low at the base of the flame

Squeeze the handle

Sweep side to side

Conclusion

If you follow these guidelines and use the proper class of fire extinguisher, you’ll be properly trained to put out a fire in the course of your duties. This is valuable training and knowledge to have under your belt when you are working as a Security Officer.  Who knows, you may even save a life or two?

Be safe!

Colt

The One Thing You Should Never Put In Your Security Officer Report

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As you can see from previous posts related to Security Officer reports here at www.SecurityOfficerTrainingHQ.com, the ability to write good reports is vital to your success in this field. As you “put the pen to the paper” or “your fingers to the keyboard”, you should always remember the Who, What, Why, When, Where, & How elements of your report. See a great report example here. However, there is one thing you should never include in your reports. (trust me on this one!) 🙂

The one thing you should never provide in your report is your personal opinion.

Why?…you ask? Well…your personal opinion can be very valuable in many instances throughout your career, but there are several reasons why it’s never a good idea to put it in writing.

Visual Profiling Is Dangerous …Especially In Writing

For example, when you give your opinion based on your observations, you can quickly be accused of profiling or discriminating against an individual based on their appearance, race, religion, gender, etc.

In addition, you can display unintentional favoritism of one class of people over the next. This can be difficult to explain to others that may have a different opinion.
Many “Rookie” Security Officers use terms like the examples below:

“He looked like a gang banger…”
“He looked suspicious…”
“She appeared to be an alcoholic…”
“The customer looked like he was going to steal…”
“He looked like a child molester…”

Not good! Scratch those from your memory forever.

Factual Reporting Is Always Better

Never forget that Security Officers are expected to report the facts. Factual evidence can never be confused with your opinion…especially in a court of law.
If we were to take the examples above and turn them into “factual reporting”… it would look much different…and much more accurate.

Here’s how it would translate in a report:

“He looked like a gang banger…” becomes “He was wearing a red bandanna across his neck and had multiple tattoos of 13th street barrio on his body.”

“He looked suspicious…” becomes “He was selecting numerous bottles of alcohol from the shelf without even looking at the price.”

“She appeared to be an alcoholic…” becomes “Her speech was slurred and I could detect a strong odor of alcohol on her breath.”

“The customer looked like he was going to steal…” becomes “The customer lifted up his shirt and tried to place the item in his waistband.”

“He looked like a child molester…” becomes “He was hanging out near the parking lot following kids to the bus stop.”

Can you see the difference?

Remember, when you give your personal opinion in a report, it can become evidence that works against you and your employer in the long run. If you stick to just reporting the facts, you can never be accused of “profiling” a suspect nor can you be accused of discriminating against anyone.

Your job is difficult enough without having to deal with issues like that!

And…if I can add…many times…

Saving your opinion… translates into… saving your job!

Stay Feisty!

Colt