No event can be successful if security is not a number one priority. In the past, lacklustre event security has led to accidents, stampedes and loss of property and lives. The job of a security guard at an event can not be trivialized. In this article, the job description of a security guard is provided in greater detail, highlighting their importance in ensuring event success.
If you're planning an event, no matter how big or little, you should always keep the attendees' safety in mind. Events of any size benefit from having security to ensure the safety of attendees and workers.
Your duty as an event host includes making sure everyone there is safe. Successful security cannot be done on the fly. Thus it is necessary to give plenty of time for planning purposes. Event organizers should ensure that safety is considered from the beginning and that there is a clear strategy for managing the unique security requirements of the event.
Duties of an Event Security Guard
Concerts, film premieres, club openings, and festivals are just a few exceptional events where event security plays an important role. The tasks you perform as an event security worker will vary from one position to the next. A security guard's duties may include patrolling the venue outside to keep intruders out and safeguard the public or providing crowd management services inside and outside the venue. As the manager of exceptional event security, you will be in charge of enforcing safety measures and ensuring the proper training of security employees. The location of your workstation for event monitoring is flexible.
To put it into further detail, we can examine these tasks individually to better understand what security guards do at an event.
Security Screening
Establishing stringent security screening procedures for attendees before allowing them into the event site is an essential first step in ensuring the safety and security of the event. There will likely be a security checkpoint at the entrance to the arena where the luggage will be inspected, and people will be searched for weapons and drinks.
No of the scale of the event, security screening is crucial to ensure that problems are avoided right from the start. Metal detectors and 'wanding' attendees at the door may also be used for security screening. However, this will depend on the nature of the event.
A crucial first step in guaranteeing the safety and security of the event is to implement rigorous security screening measures for participants before granting them entry to the event location. At the arena's entrance, there will certainly be a security checkpoint where visitors' bags and persons are scrutinized for contraband such as guns and alcoholic beverages.
Security screening is essential, regardless of the size of the event, to avert any potential issues from the get-go. Other security screening methods, such as metal detectors and 'wanding,' may also be implemented depending on the occasion.
Operating the CCTV
No matter the event size, there will always be a need for more surveillance, and that’s why CCTV cameras are essential. Whereas there are security guards amongst the crowds and at the entrance, some don’t mingle with the public and simply examine the CCTV cameras to check for any issues. The security guards manning the CCTV cameras always have walkie-talkies to communicate with the ones on the event grounds/floor. This coordination is essential as it ensures all security aspects are covered in real-time and any problems or issues are addressed immediately before they get out of hand.
Crowd Control
The crowds at an event can get unruly, which is not always by design. Entertainment events feature a lot of alcohol and adrenaline, which might cause the public to get out of hand. Constant attention and surveillance are vital at an event since prevention is preferable to management, especially in the case of an incident. Security personnel at events must be vigilant, scanning the audience for signs of trouble and acting swiftly on any suspicions they may have.
A well-thought-out security strategy will include crowd management (or crowd control), which begins with the screening process and continues until all guests have left the venue securely. Between events, security personnel will need to keep an eye on the audience to prevent anybody from being pushed or crushed, to prevent people from crowding the stage or the speaker, to keep the exits clear, and to prevent people from congregating in high-traffic areas like stairwells.
Responding To Customer Needs
Customer service is an often-overlooked part of an event security guard's job. Staff members tasked with event security are expected to dress in a way that allows them to be clearly identified. This deters would-be thieves since they can see security there, but it also means that security guards are subjected to frequent queries from event goers.
The finest event security guards are friendly and well-mannered. They typically serve as the first point of contact for guests and must respond to inquiries with helpful information or point them in the right direction.
Event Security Guards Help in Crime Prevention
A security guard's presence is meant to discourage criminal behaviour. Their presence alone is frequently sufficient to prevent would-be criminals from targeting a particular location. Guards in uniform will give your event goers the impression that the regulations must be followed for their own protection. Protective services provided by security guards have significantly reduced the likelihood of criminal and violent acts. They may monitor visitors and inspect their bags to ensure no weapons are brought in.
In conclusion, the success of your event will largely depend on your security arrangement. Your security guards are the focal point of any security planning. Therefore, all measures to make security guards comfortable and empowered must be considered to make the event successful.