The importance of continuous security training
James Thorpe
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Eng. Khalifa Dalmook Almuhairi, Director, Security Culture Dept., Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) looks at the importance of continuous training.
With the growth of civilised communities and the urban expansion of cities, public and private security institutions have rushed to offer services to visitors; civilian components have upgraded the level of services they provide to attract elite entrepreneurs and enterprises looking for a harmonious, integrated environment.
Development and upgrades require investment. However, the flow of funds associated with investments raises fears of damaging them, such as attacks on property, damage to reputation of the activity or organised thefts run by criminal organisations.
Therefore, it was necessary for security institutions to improve the effectiveness of protective instruments and address dangerous criminal phenomena in order to secure the lives of individuals, groups and institutions in cities and suburbs, attract more investments, spread peace and security and achieve a state of tranquillity in society.
Since security is necessary to maintain communities and secure them against all risks threatening stability, specialists are paying attention to developing and sustaining the efficiency of staff working in private security agencies, developing skills and keeping up with criminal methods.
This requires security institutions to focus on establishing and developing training centres and learning for guards at different levels, using academic methodologies with the highest security and epistemological criteria that may be needed by the security guard at various levels.
Given this, the need for sustainable development of the personal skills of security guards lies within focusing on continuous institutional support, providing training, qualification, academic knowledge and the community culture of their work environment.
In this regard, our institution has conducted studies and benchmarks to upgrade the integrated system and increase the number of training and educational courses for trainees – supported by the highest security and safety standards to form an integrated model in security work on a regular basis, to ensure the security of societies and maintain stability in light of current developments.
This is represented in two main components, namely continuous training and continuous education, in addition to measurement and regular review tools:
Continuous training
- Knowledge update – refresher courses are held, usually every two years, to update security guards’ knowledge on the latest protocols, technologies and threat scenarios. This ensures they are prepared to recognise and address emerging risks and are equipped to deal with any situation that may arise
- Technological competence – with rapid advances in technology, guards must master the use of state-of-art tools. Ongoing training includes hands-on experience in the use of advanced surveillance systems, early warning technologies and big data analysis
- Physical readiness – physical fitness is essential for security guards. Regular physical fitness tests ensure that guards are able to perform their duties, especially during emergencies that require rapid response and significant physical exertion, such as evacuations or managing tense situations
Specialised refresher courses
With reference to general updates, refresher courses typically include specialised training modules designed to cover specific emergency scenarios:
- First aid – first aid training equips security guards with the skills to provide immediate medical assistance in an emergency. This training includes CPR, wound care and trauma management, ensuring that guards are able to provide critical support until medical professionals arrive
- Fighting fires – fire safety is a concern in many environments. Firefighting refresher courses provide guards with skills in using fire extinguishers, understanding fire dynamics and implementing evacuation procedures. This ensures that guards can act quickly to control fires and protect lives
- Providing support – specialised training teaches guards how to assist people with disabilities during a crisis, ensure safe evacuations and provide support. This includes understanding mobility challenges, communication barriers and the use of assistive equipment
To measure the impact of continuous training during crises and disasters, we have developed standardised practical mechanisms to evaluate the impactful aspects of the security process, such as:
- Strengthening preparedness – refresher courses ensure that guards maintain a high level of preparedness, enabling them to effectively respond to emergencies such as natural disasters, fires or medical crises
- Improving professionalism – each training course reinforces and builds on the necessary skills of guards, leading to improved performance in daily tasks and in emergency situations
Ongoing training promotes a culture of learning. Guards are encouraged to seek out professional development opportunities, keeping them motivated and engaged in their role. There are many examples that can be cited, including the role of guards during the Al Hadeer Storm in the UAE.
During the recent weather event in the UAE – which saw record-breaking rainfall and flooding –guards who received ongoing training through refresher courses demonstrated the importance of continuous education.
Up-to-date knowledge of first aid, firefighting and dealing with people of determination was crucial in managing the crisis. Guards coordinated evacuations, managed crowd control and provided essential support to those who needed it.
Continuous training plays a vital role in sustaining the efficiency of security agencies through specialised refresher courses.
All efforts will benefit security agencies, as well as economic and social activities, while continuous development mechanisms will enable guards to do their jobs and develop their personal capacity to protect and serve, especially in difficult situations.