How do you train for a disaster?

No one wants to be caught short when a disaster or crisis occurs at a hotel property, be it crime, fire, food borne illness, civil unrest or natural disaster. The more prepared a property is, the better for everyone involved. A good safety and security program is one that addresses security risks for the property as well as the neighboring community. But one doesn’t have to pay a “security guard” to accomplish this end, especially if you instill a sense of responsibility in each member of the staff. An effective “self-security” program should include: training, reporting, investigating, inspecting and correcting.

• Start with a security training program that teaches every staff member to know that they are, each and every one, “security personnel.”
• Follow a strict key control, especially critical during a crisis. Proper identification must be shown in order to obtain keys to any area of the property.
• Train employees to be alert and aware of their surroundings at all times. Keep security top of mind by continually reminding staff of their security responsibility. Train them to recognize unusual persons or behaviors.
• Train employees to recognize safety hazards, especially those that may occur during a disaster.
• As part of a security plan, instill the necessity for staff to walk the property during their shifts.
• Back up the security plan by scheduling periodic surveys conducted by managers.
• Have a plan in place to follow-up on noted issues immediately and correct as needed.

One of the most important things you can implement is a security/safety committee that includes staff from all areas of the property. The head of this team should be the General Manager. Other important personnel are the Chief Engineer and other senior department managers. Make sure the members of the committee are committed to being part of the safety team. Membership on the security committee has to carry with it the expectation that each member of the committee is willing to contribute, attend meetings and share responsibility for accomplishing the committee’s goals.

Training employees to be your security watchdogs is important, but proving that you have an effective security plan in place is another story. To ensure that your program is effective, it is vital that you document every part of your security plan: training, reporting of incidents, investigation, inspection and correction. Hold periodic meetings with local authorities and invite them to stop by frequently. This is just another step to ensuring you have a successful and effective safety and security program.

Your security committee should also be trained in crisis management to help communicate to the public and media how your property is handling a bad situation. Effective crisis communication can change the public perception of the crisis.

And, at least once a year, address the question: “Are we effective?” It should be the security committee’s responsibility to review the committee’s activities and set goals for the next year.