CCP 11-19-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Communitv ResDon.se to the Threat of Terrorism -- A Public Entitv Risk Institute SvmDo.sium The first thing that you should do is try to find an expert in the field. You might circulale a "Request For Proposal" (RFP) that asks for interested parties to apply and bring with them a list of their accomplishmenls, experience, background, training, and whatever else Ihat might support their qualifications for the project. Al some point in time you should have the candidates develop a cost figure for their services, bul you may wanllhis to be delayed until you have developed a " short-list" of bidders for considerations, . An RFP allows you to select the party that is most qualified, rather than the one with the lowest bid. After all, you are not building a sewer, you are developing a security system, Whatever the process, the experts need to include with their proposal, recommendations regarding management and operation of the system, Also, you might want to limil your list of consultants to firms that do not have any connections with manufacturers of security equipment. Further, you do need to include in your RFP their recommendations for operation, repair, and maintenance of the system(s). This should also include training for the operators when you present your recommendations to the decision makers. They will be the best people to answer technical questions regarding the equipmenl, etc. They should also be of value when you are developing recommendations for how the system is to be operated and by whom, Depending on who the occupants are of the building that you are trying to prolect, you may want to make them aware of the process. You may also want to make your local law enforcement people aware of what you are doing, especially if the are going to be charged with the ultimate responsibility for supervision of operation of the system, . Now we come to a significantly differenl part of the process: selecting the people to operate it. There are a number of alternatives. These include hiring a privale security firm, using local law enforcement officers (police or sheriff personnel), retired law enforcement or retired mililary people, or using building and grounds palrol people, Once again, discussions with others, such as those you visited, will give you a lot of help in selecting alternatives, Once again, cost will be a significant part of the equation in your decision making process. No mailer whom is selected, they need to be fully trained, not only in the operation oflhe equipment, but in the way they conduct themselves, deal with problem people, diversions, queslions, etc. These are often the first contacts visitors have with your organization. This means the security people need to make sure thai this is a good contact, one that is not confrontational, but one that tries 10 maintain a secure building, We need to slress the point Ihat the vendor of the equipment you purchase should be involved in the training. Further, your consultant may be able to advise you relative 10 training the security people regarding their duties and how best they are performed, The performance of your security people needs to be monitored on a regular basis, . Public Works and Terrorism 2