Comprehensive Protection Plan - Coursework Example

A Comprehensive Protection Plan Table of Contents I. Introduction ……………………………………………………… 3 II. Recommended Protection Plan …………………………………. 3 a. Communications Protection Plan ……………………... 3 a.1 Proper Communication with the Client …………. 3 a.2 Be Informed of the Public Environment ………… 4 b. Personal Security Protection Plan …………………….. 4 a.1 Terrorist Attacks ………………………...………. 5 a.2 Building Explosion …………………….………… 5 a.3 Life-threat or Bomb Threat ……………………... 6 a.4 Other Critical Situations Related to Building Bombing ……………………………..... 6 c. Transportation Protection Plan ……………………….. 7 III. Conclusion ……………………………………………………… 8 References ………………………………………………………………. 9 Introduction For many years, personal protection agents has played a very important role in providing security to the royalty, the rich and famous, well-known executives, etc.1 An integrated systematic approach is needed when providing an effective security plan based on the client’s need. Other factors such as environmental or political among others should be considered when designing a structured security protection plan for the client. It is important to be well informed about the situation of the client. This way, the personal protection agent could immediately implement some necessary preventive measures and customize solutions based on the main concern of the client. Communications Protection Plan Proper Communication with the Client At the time that the agent is being hired by a client, it is critical that the agent understands the purpose of the assignment. Usually, the client has a personal reason for the need to hire a private protective agent. Through proper communication with the client, the agent will be able to perform his job according to the expectation and the main problem of the client.2 Without proper communication, the protection priorities that are set by the agent could be altered along the way. This will make the agent’s advance work to be useless and irrelevant. To avoid communication error, it is the agent who should call the attention of the client to sit down and talk about the case and exact duty that is expected from the agent or team of agents. This should be done in case the client does not open up the topic with the hired agent. Right after communicating the case with the client, the agent should start developing a set of guidelines applicable to the situation of the client. The agent should make effort to strictly follow the guidelines. Along the way, the agent should maintain a constant communication with the client to ensure that the agent’s duties are satisfactory to the client and to know in case there are some necessary changes with regards to the protection plan that was initially designed for the client. It is very important for agent to avoid becoming overly friendly with the client as it could create tragic consequences along the way.2 When a client starts to become too comfortable with the agent, the agent should maintain and keep in mind that he or she is being employed by the client. Therefore, it is necessary for the agent to draw a line between friendship and professional relationship. Friendship between a client and the agent affects the agent’s ability to perform his duty effectively since emotions could lead to errors. Errors can cost the life of the client. Therefore, it has to be avoided. Be Informed of the Public Environment The agent should always be aware of the surroundings and environment. Regularly reading the news paper or listening to news on the radio or T.V. will help the agent be informed in case there is a massive threat of terrorist attack within the city or region. Personal Security Protection Plan The major task of a private protection agent is to provide an executive protection to the client. Being alert in every situation where the client is very important. Every protection agent swears an oath to perform his main duty of saving the life of the client. In a situation where physical violence is present, the private protection agent should keep in mind to get the client out of the scenario at once. Even if it means personally taking a ‘bullet’ to save the life of the client. In line with protecting and saving the life of the client, the agent should always keep a list of important telephone numbers and addresses. This should include the contact number of hospitals, police departments, the Homeland Security Department, etc.3 To make sure that this type of information is available in case of emergency, never rely on electronic lists, direct-dial phone numbers, or even computer organizers. A private protective agent should be ready in facing emergency cases all the time. Therefore, it is necessary for agents to bring emergency supplies like flashlight, guns, extra bullets, whistle, a knife, portable tools, etc. Terrorist Attacks Normally, when there is a terrorist attack, the attackers would immediately target critical infrastructures like the electric power systems, gas and oil storage facilities and pipelines, public Transportations, airports, and government services among others.4 For this reason, it is important that the agent and client to avoid going to such places. The agent should always observe the environment and places where the client usually goes. Assessing of places should be done regularly including the client’s own home. In case there is a terrorist attack in the city, in case the client’s office or home is located near any of the critical infrastructure, it is better for the agent to be extra alert with the surroundings especially if the agent becomes suspicious of the environment. When the degree of terrorist attack is becoming serious, it would be better to immediately inform the client about it. If possible, relocating to a safer place is advisable. This kind of precaution is necessary in case the client is living or working in a multi-level building. Building Explosion5 To protect a client from a possibility of building explosion, the agent should know by heart where the fire extinguishers and fire exits are located. It is crucial that at this point, the agent should be able to know his way out of the building even when there is no electricity available. This can be done by knowing exactly how many desks or cubicles there are in the office and how far the client’s cubicle is away form the nearest exit, etc. The agent should be knowledgeable of the emergency evacuation procedures and learn about first aid. As soon as the client has arrived in the destination area, the first thing that the agent should do is to check the surroundings. The agent should always be aware of heavy or breakable objects that are moveable, could fall or break in an explosion. Life-threat or Bomb Threat5 In case the client is constantly receiving a life-threat or bomb threat through telephone calls or mobile, it is important for the agent to get as much information about the caller as possible. Whenever possible, make sure to keep the caller on the line and record the entire conversation. This will serve as an evidence of the threat which can also be used in tracing the possible the suspect. Immediately, the agent should notify the police and the building management about the threat. This will allow the building management to increase security measures from strangers. Once every preventive measure is done accordingly, inform the client not to touch anything suspicious like packages that has recently delivered to the client’s unit, etc. Immediately call the police and notify them about the package that was recently sent to the client’s unit. When evacuating the building, make sure that the client does not stand in front of any potential hazardous areas like windows, chandeliers, etc. Also make sure that the sidewalk and streets are not being occupied by the by-standers. It is important to make available space for emergency officials to pass by. Other Critical Situations Related to Building Bombing5 In case of a bomb explosion in a building where the client is residing or working, it is very critical to take the client out of the building as fast and as calmly as possible. Bomb explosion in a building is a very serious case. Depending on the strength of the bombing, it is possible that it could trigger other serious damages such as fire, collapse of the building, etc. Whenever there is heavy debris that falls off the ceiling, immediately get the client under a sturdy desk or table. It is important to protect head of the client in this kind of situation. Once the debris stops falling, immediately get out of the building at once. In case the bombing resulted to fire, take the client to the nearest fire exit and get out of the building as soon as possible. If the fire is still small, the agent should use the fire extinguisher and try to put off the fire. In case when the fire is already big, the agent should immediately escape from the building with the client. It is advisable to stay low on the floor when there is a heavy smoke and poisonous gases around the building. Inform or lead the client to the nearest exit by means of crawling. If possible, the agent should get a wet cloth to cover the nose and mouth of the client. Once the agent and client have reached the nearest exit, the agent should check with the palm of his hands whether the door is hot or not. If the door is not hot, open it slowly to get out of the building at once. In case the door is hot, do not try to open the door. Seek an alternative escape route instead. After the bombing explosion, if the agent and client are trapped inside the building, the agent should use a flashlight and stay in the area to avoid inhaling the dust particles present in the surroundings. The agent should inform the client to cover his/her mouth with a handkerchief or a piece of cloth. Once there is a sign that a rescuer is around the area, regularly tap on a pipe or blow on a whistle to get the rescuers’ attention. If possible, avoid shouting to prevent the person from inhaling dangerous amount of dusts. Transportation Protection Plan The private protection agent should always do an advance work related to traveling. The agent should always be alert and aware of the surrounding area especially when there is a suspicious or unusual behavior that is taking place within certain vicinity. If possible, do not allow the client to take public transportation. When traveling, always make sure not to accept any packages from a stranger.3 This should be done to ensure the safety of the client the agent is protecting. As much as possible, do not leave luggage or things in public places unattended. The agent should take different route each day when driving the client to a common place such as the office, malls, the airport, hospital, etc. A good planning means that the private protection agent should carefully study all possible routes going to each possible destination the client may choose to go. If the client’s situation is really serious, changing the time or schedule of arrival is also necessary. Every single detail must be listed down on a notebook. The time and place of arrival should always be noted down. Conclusion As a private protective agent, it is important for the agent to learn about the different types of terrorist attacks such as the use of explosives, kidnapping situations, hi-jackings, arson, shootings, etc. Knowing and being aware of the advance technology used for crimes and easy access to all these information is necessary will help in designing a protection plan for the safety of the client. Terrorist attacks could happen anytime without a warning. Therefore, the private personal agent should always prepare for a disaster plan ahead of time. *** End *** References: 1 International Association of Personal Protection Agency (IAPPA) Official Website. Last modified: July 19, 2005 Retrieved: April 10, 2007 < http://www.tiu.org/ > 2 Coyne, H. (2007) ‘Body for Hire: A Personal Protection Primer’ Retrieved: April 10, 2007 < http://www.intelnetwork.org/ > 3 ‘SecureNet Safety Tips Official Website’ (2007) Retrieved: April 10, 2007 < http://www.securenetalarms.com/ > 4 Appel, E. (2001) ‘Guide for Preventing and Responding to Information Age Crime’ The Joint Council on Information Age Crime. Version 2.6. March 2, 2001 Retrieved: April 10, 2007 < http://www.jciac.org/ > 5 Homeland Security (2002) ‘Unit 1 Topic 5 - Homeland Defense’ General Military Training Homeland Defense Retrieved: April 10, 2007 < http://www.usc.edu/ > Read More