FGH Security Chronicle- Issue 3

fghsecurity.com

FGH Security’s quarterly magazine

TIME TO DUST OFF THE BOOTS Summer time can mean only one thing at FGH. Festivals!

WORKING IN PUBLIC SERVICE

Prestigious contracts with GM Fire Service and the NHS announced

DREAM TEAM

Sleep soundly with a full CCTV system in place

(plus a fire alarm system and a safe if you’d like)

Plus all our usual features Looking Back: Wesley Downham Hulk Smash!: Staff interview with Joe Gorton Reader Offers: It’ll feel like Christmas has come early

Volume 1 | Summer

CHRONICLE

OVERVIEW photo link to what he is saying

ref photo link refe photo link Figuratively speaking

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ear respected readers, Welcome to our third edition of the FGH Chronicle. Despite it being another 16 page issue we have still been struggling to fit everything in.

It’s been an extremely busy quarter for all concerned here at FGH Security. There’s not been a week gone by without a new contract coming on board and we’ve even had to refuse certain work in order to ensure our current contracts ran as smoothly as ever.

Our Festival and Events Division has continued to grow with contracts from last year renewed. One of my personal favourites has always been the Kendal Calling Festival. Yet again the event has enlarged its capacity by another 50% (a total of 6000 people) and recently received recognition from the Guardian national newspaper. It is a great pleasure to be associated with this high profile event again and we hope to continue this partnership as the event continues to grow in the future.

Within our Manned Guarding Division further good news has come our way with FGH Security being chosen by Greater Manchester Fire Service to provide security guards on a 24/7 basis to the GM Headquarters and also to cover an out of hours service at over 40 further fire stations when required throughout the Greater Manchester area. Over 27 different security companies tendered for the contract and it is a great honour to be chosen as their preferred supplier for the next three to five years.

In addition to working alongside the fire service, we now also provide manned security coverage to three hospitals within the Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust. These contracts have meant further training for our security guards; training that ranks them amongst some of the most qualified security guards in the northwest area. The new contracts will further assist in underpinning FGH Security as one of the fastest growing security guard companies based in the northwest.

Here comes the sun…

With our Events Division starting to run at full pace we thought it would be a great idea to make it the theme for this months cover.

Special thanks goes to Adam for the use of his boots and Dave for his events shirt.

Just when we thought things had calmed down and the above contracts had been successfully started further good news came to the company as we were awarded a further four large Door Supervision contracts, one of which is in Barrow In Furness and three more in the Fallowfield student area of Manchester (the Deaf Institute and the Northern Quarter detailed in the last issue and the Corner Bar in this one).

With all the work above starting more or less immediately it has meant an extremely busy time for our recruitment and security screening departments, with a total of 35 new staff being taken on since the start of this year and 25 more predicted in the next three months! We would still love to hear from people wishing to work within our Events Division as casual staff over the summer months so if you know anyone who you think would be an asset to your company then please let us know over the next few months.

As always, more contracts have meant more training and more requests to carry out further work in other avenues of our business. It is a great pleasure to announce new partnerships with both Westmorland Fire and Security, based in Kendal, and Tactical Training Services, from Lancaster.

Establishing partnerships of this nature has been no easy task for senior management here at FGH and we have spent a lot of time vetting prospective companies over the past six months so we can continue to offer the highest

FGH Security Ltd

Clockwise from top: Still in the top 25% of Approved Contractors; Working with Westmorland- still offering the same high quality mind you; The Cloud dance tent at Kendal Calling last year when it actually stopped raining for a couple of hours; Model Employee- Me sat our new training space.

level of end service. As we go on to explain later in this edition of the Chronicle both of our new partners provide work to only the highest standards and are fully accredited with the highest national accolades in their relevant disciplines. With this in mind I would like to encourage any of our existing clients to consider receiving a no obligation competitive quote from FGH Security prior to getting any electronic security work carried out. We hope to be able to beat, or at the very least match, any like-for-like quote; with the only difference being the high levels of expertise and professionalism that our clients have come to expect from us.

Our plans for the next three months include undergoing further work towards receiving accreditation to NSI Gold standard in our manned guarding division and our security screening department. This will include getting audited to the ISO 9001 standard in addition to British Standards BS 7858 and BS 7499. Our recent audit with the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme was a complete success and, despite a further increase in some of the criterion in the standard, we passed with flying colours and still maintain our place within the top 25% of Approved Contractors nationwide.

Other manned guard providers operating in and around our service area have recently lost this accreditation due to falling standards. For those who are not aware the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme is one of the highest accolades for any security provider in the industry and has gone a long way to assisting FGH Security, not only in recent tenders, but also in ensuring that the work we are carrying out is of the highest standard and backed up by a sound quality management system and all the relevant procedures.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our hard working staff and all the clients who have chosen to work with us recently. And can I also extend this opportunity to invite any of our customers to place a free reader-offer advertisement within the Chronicle edition four, for the fourth time this will be totally free of charge. With the Chronicle having an estimated readership of over 2000 people this is by far the best advertising deal you’ll make this year!

Finally, I thought I’d take the opportunity to let you know that our short list for the employees of the quarter this time round had over twenty suitable candidates from across the entire company on it vying for just three spots, which made choosing the winners very difficult. I am glad it was a tough decision because it demonstrates how much of a high standard to which all the staff are consistently performing.

If you didn’t win this time rest assured that your hard work is always noticed and, more importantly, appreciated. As a footnote; two members of staff from the Manchester area as employees of the quarter is testament to how well the all the staff based there continue to do and how well they have fitted into FGH Security.

As always any feedback or questions coming as a result of this issue of the Chronicle can emailed to chronicle@fghsecurity.co.uk. We’re keen to get feedback from any of our suppliers, stakeholders, staff and any of our existing or potential clients, on how we can further improve not only this magazine but also our service.

All the best for this quarter and I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together.

Peter Harrison Managing Director FGH Security Ltd

Getting in touch with us…

If you’d like to talk to us about the Chronicle, the services we can offer, would just like to find out a little more about us or see how we could be of use to you then please feel free to get in touch with us at our Head Office.

Call us on

01524 847 554 Email us at

info@fghsecurity.co.uk

Look us up online at

www.fghsecurity.co.uk

or just type FGH Security into Google Or write to us at

FGH Security, Alston House, White Cross, South Road, Lancaster, LA1 4 XQ

‘Alan would love this!’....

Know some one who has a security provider not living up to expectations or would benefit from knowing about us?

Email their name and address to dave.hassall@ fghsecurity.co.uk

Staff Section | 2

Employees of the quarter

Contributors

Chris Peil Health and fitness writer

Dom O’Sullivan

Dave Corran

Door Supervisor

Multiple Divisions

Door Supervisor

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Dom has consistently performed exceptionally well in his Head Door Supervisor role at the Deaf Institute in Manchester. Behind the scenes he has helped manage staff logistics at the venue and goes out of his way to create not only a fantastic working relationship with the security staff that he manages but also with the venue’s management and staff. “Dom understands how the conduct of the FGH staff on duty reflects on the atmosphere and tone of the venue and ensures that they are professional whilst still being friendly and helpful”, says Adam Tomlinson, Lancashire Operations Manger.

“Absolutely amazing”, is how Danny Geere, Cumbria Operations Manager, summed up Dave and his contribution to FGH. Dave wins employee of the month for March mainly due to his readiness to cover other members of staff at very short notice when required and his exceptionally high working standards in both the Door Supervision and Security Guarding divisions of the business. To top it off we have consistently receive glowing feedback from our clients everywhere he has worked. Well done Dave another stellar performance.

“Chris has made the Corner Bar his own and takes a high level of pride in his job which makes him stand out as an exceptional Door Supervisor not just to me but also venue managers and other FGH employees”, said Adam Tomlinson. Besides this Chris has helped bring numerous high calibre staff into the company, received numerous good reviews from customers and venue staff and has worked every shift that has been required. Well done Chris for the fantastic standard of work.

Upcoming paydates

Internal Vacancies

FGH Security in the media

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Important dates

Bank Holidays

Kendal Calling

The Great North Swim 2009

Chris Mattison

25th May 2009 31st July till 2nd August 2009*

Chris worked in the licensed security industry for six years from 2001 including spells with FGH. He worked as a Door Supervisor and later as security manager for live music and events. Chris worked and managed events in Lancaster, Morecambe, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester , Blackburn, Preston, Middlesbrough, Inverness and even as far afield as Bucharest!

Notable points in his career include the comical task of trying to get Pete Doherty’s guitar back off 1600 crazed fans and asking a rather offended Tim Westwood, ‘Are you here to see Tim Westwood?’.

In 2007 Chris left full time work in the security sector to follow his real passion, fitness. As well as work as a consultatnt to FGH Security’s Events Division. He is now a fully qualified advanced gym instructor, nutrition advisor and personal trainer.

12th September 2009 till 13th September 2009

22nd May 2009 5th June 2009

19th June 2009

*Staff time off must be kept to a minimum and be booked by 1st July

3rd July 2009 17th July 2009 31st July 2009

14th August 2009 24th August 2009

Events Division Currently we are looking for additional members of staff to make up part of several specialist teams that we will be deploying at our festivals. Please see the article later in this issue for further information but if you would like to put yourself forward or would lust like a little more information then please contact the FGH Head Office on 01524 847 554.

Events Division Radio Control - £12 per hour (approx 50 hours over duration of weekend) Requirements; high level of Door Supervision experience, good verbal and literacy skills, ability to work under pressure and people management. The role will be inside and involve working directly under the Main Festival Security Manager. Duties will include taking note of all incidents and capacity records, directing staff when required, liaising with all team members, following time plans, issuing equipment and uniform as required. All enquiries to Peter Harrison at FGH Head Office.

Door Supervision We are also currently looking to recruit full time Door Supervisors based in the Greater Manchester area. So please feel free to refer anyone who you think would be suitable.

BBC Radio Lancashire Peter was a special guest on the Breakfast show with Toney Livsey (most well known for presenting the sports news on BBC Norhtwest Tonight) for a discussion on the powers that Door Supervisors have when conducting searches, effective search technique and to provide a viewpoint on the topical debates that morning. Listeners were also treated to Peter talking them through a detailed search of one of the shows producers at the end of the show.

Dave Taylor Feature writer

Dave has worked for FGH Security since 2006. He has fulfilled a number of roles within the company including Door Supervisor, Security Guard, Mobile Patrol Operative, Dan Willis’ chief brew maker and is currently the company’s Vetting Officer.

Professional Security Magazine Over the course of last year the senior management team in the office has been doing their bit for charity by making donations into a fund so they can have a dress down Friday every week.

Last month we gave our total annual donation to our chosen charity for this year - the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign- and Charles Horton (regional manager for the charity) visited us to collect a cheque and thanked us for our fund raising effort. Professional Security Magazine were keen to publish a feature on our fund raising and we appeared in the March issue.

Prior to joining FGH Dave worked as an English Teacher in Preston. He does not recommend this profession to anyone, but is thankful for the skills he developed as he now has a black belt in conflict management.

Operation SISKIN Based on our good working relationship Cumbria Constabulary have asked us to work alongside them to further publicise the ‘Challenge 21’ scheme. The aim of this particular operation is to ensure that young adults through the region are aware that since the 1st of April they will only be served alcohol if they can present valid identification if they look under twenty one. Working with local licensing officers we designed and produced 10,000 copies of a folded wallet sized flyer which were distributed through the region via local collages, youth schemes, police officers and our own staff. Following on from this we were featured in the South Lakes Citizen and the North West Evening Mail.

Dave’s favourite memories of security work include getting lost trying to find the front door of Passions and Idols while carrying a struggling miscreant and the night where he was forced to eject seventeen people, despite only thirty three coming into the venue all night.

Lancaster Guardian Newspaper Following on from the work we are currently doing with the Morecambe Bay NHS Trust (see later on this issue) FGH Security was featured in one of the lead articles on the front page of the paper published on the 8th May. Also the more observant of you who had a chance to see a copy may have also notice that Wesley Downham (Business Director) featured in the 20 questions segment on page 13 (also see later in this issue).

Dave is a keen practitioner of Aikido, the Japanese art of people folding, and also holds a personal best of losing a competition Judo fight in a spectacular three seconds.

Make Your Mark Peter Harrison is taking part in a scheme, in association with Peter Jones from Dragon’s Den, where he provides entrepreneurial advice to young adults starting their own business ventures on just ten ponds - www.makeyourmark.org.uk/inspiring_stories/peter_harrison

FGH Security Ltd

SUPER HUMAN STRENGTH! He's not faster then a speeding bullet. He can't jump buildings in a single bound. But Joe Gorton can still crush a whole apple in his hand, tear a phone book in half and can throw around Atlas stones like Marius Pudzianowski.

So you'd be right to think that he's not your average Door Supervisor.

WRITER: DAVID TAYLOR

FGH Security Ltd

PHOTOGRAPHY/ GRAPHICS: DAVID HASSALL

Staff Interview | 4

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on't make him angry, you wouldn't like him when he's angry. This issue the FGH Chronicle spoke with Joe Gorton: Door Supervisor, Strongman and our very own answer to the Incredible Hulk.

Joe has been working as an FGH Door Supervisor for over six months and has worked on a number of venues, mainly around Kendal. Joe has become an integral part of the team at Passions and Idols and is respected throughout the company. Personally Joe is a relaxed, friendly individual who just might be capable of lifting you above his head with one hand.

Joe first discovered his talent for superhuman strength through his day job as a farmer. As a part of this job he frequently has to lift large amounts of extremely heavy stones. Though he has become an experienced competitor at all forms of strongman events this affinity with stones remains a specialty of his to this day.

It takes a special kind of mentality to look at a gigantic tyre and think “I bet I could flip that.”

However this appears to be exactly how Joe got into strongman competition. Although Joe has always been a regular at the gym he has only been training strongman seriously since last October.

He says he was introduced to it by a man called Ben France, a strongman competitor that he met in the gym. Ben took Joe for a session of tyre flipping, which does exactly what it says on the tin. You take a massive tyre, pick up one side and flip it over. It’s much harder than it looks as the tyre can weigh anything up to 340kg. After only one session of practice Joe had shown the tyre who was in charge and was hooked. He began training seriously immediately and entered his first competition only a few months later.

Joe identifies his main competition strength as ‘pure’ strongman events. His greatest asset is the strength in his core, which lends itself to events where the whole body must work in unison. As such his best events are the Stone Carry and Farmers Walk. He is not as proficient at power lifting events.

In the last issue the FGH Chronicle wished Joe luck with the I.A.W.A Stone Lifting Challenge 2009. This competition entailed five events all based around Joe’s speciality – lifting up stones and putting them on things. The events in which Joe competed were the Stone Press – lifting a stone weighing between 55kg and 115kg over the head until arms are locked, the Stone Carry – carrying a stone weighing 112kg for as far as possible, the Stone Throw – throwing a 12kg stone as far as possible, Natural Stone Loading – Picking up a series of naturally shaped stones weighing between 102kg and 200kg and loading them onto a platform and finally the Atlas Stones, the classic strongman event featured every year in the World’s Strongest Man competition. Joe put in an excellent showing at this event, throwing an impressive 7.9 metres in the stone throw. Joe was most satisfied with his performance at the stone carry, successfully carrying the 112kg boulder a whopping 100 metres to gain overall victory in that event. He regards the competition as an impressive debut and hopes it will be a starting point for greater things.

National level More recently Joe also competed in the under 105kg class at the England Qualifiers in March.

During this competition Joe excelled at the Yoke and the Farmer’s Walk, both events involving carrying a heavy weight, up to 300kg for the Yoke, over a set distance as quickly as possible. Joe, however, then struggled with the Log Press and eventually finished a creditable thirteenth. He points out that he is completely drug free.

When asked about the use of performance enhancing drugs in strongman competition Joe is ambivalent. He competes free of drugs and intends to remain so. He is fully aware that taking

steroids can have unpleasant side effects and that once you start taking them it can be necessary to take an ever larger does to maintain the same effect. Joe believes that in an ideal world the same laws on performance enhancing drugs should be in effect in strongman competition as are in effect in the vast majority of professional sport. He says that it just isn’t a level playing field when you are competing against opponents who are using drugs. He wonders if it will be possible to reach the top of the sport naturally, but is saddened by the belief that it may not be possible to do so.

Training Joe trains in the gym most days and splits his time between power lifting and event specific training.

For pure strength Joe recommends training with heavy weights for ten repetitions in three sets. Joe trains a specific muscle group in each gym session so as not to tire himself out and lose performance by training the same muscles every day. Joe also uses weights in the gym to replicate specific strongman events. An example of this is using front squats and bench to replicate a Clean and Press. He considers this event specific training to be of the greatest use to him personally.

While he is aware that there is more to body conditioning than just pure strength training Joe does not appear to like to get cold or wet. When questioned about the fitness section of his training he replies that he will probably do a lot more on that side of things during the summer, when he can do so outside in the nice weather. This just goes to show that no man is so mighty that he can ignore the elements. Well, it either shows that or maybe just that he has some common sense.

Being in such great physical shape must create an impressive physique. The FGH Chronicle wonders how that goes down with the girls. Joe is amused by the idea that the point of all this training is to increase his pulling power. The main things he’s interested in pulling are tractors or buses, trains or aircraft – whatever they strap him to before firing up the starting pistol! “I’m not a body builder” Joe insists. For him training is not about looking good or gaining the perfect set of abs. He scorns drunken customers who try to impress girls by showing off their muscles. Training, for him, is about increasing his strength to win competitions.

Nutrition One might think that such training requires a precision diet with perfectly balanced nutrients. This would be only partially correct. When asked about the dieting side of his training Joe replies that mostly he eats the same as everyone else, just a lot more of it. In order to maintain his strength Joe eats between 4,500 and 5,000 calories every day, that’s roughly twice the recommended average. This includes a minimum of three protein shakes every day to keep his protein levels up. He monitors his diet carefully to ensure that he is getting enough calories and, if he falls short, prefers to top up with an extra protein shake. The FGH Chronicle wonders if it’s possible to drink so many protein shakes that they eventually become palatable. It’s probably unlikely.

Joe is, in fact, so fond of his protein that he has a custom built protein shake storage unit which he carries around in the back of his car. This unit is incredibly impressive containing shakes and powders of all different types and sizes to ensure that he is always prepared with protein in any event.

When asked whether he has any advice for someone considering competing in strongman events Joe replied with an anecdote. He mentioned a guy he knew who, like him, trained in the gym regularly with an emphasis on power lifting. This man appeared to have good strength and physique and naturally assumed he would be good at strongman. He didn’t put in any significant event specific training and, as such, achieved little and no longer competes. For Joe the twin morals of this story are: Make sure you put the training in

End of a long day Joe after the final event at the I.A.W.A Stone Lifting Challenge 2009

and never assume success. Joe believes that when you start assuming you will succeed easily that is when you are most likely to fail. In his eyes pride really does come before a fall and that fall is probably the stone you were lifting falling on the floor. Most importantly, he says, you should always listen to advice from experienced competitors. The tips they can give you could be invaluable to your own success.

So why choose to work in security? Joe’s reasons are very common in small towns like Kendal. He mentions that a number of his friends moved away to university and this led to a long progression of disappointing Saturday nights out. Joe felt that he was spending a lot of money going out, but wasn’t really getting any value for it. He decided that it would be more useful to be earning money than spending it and that it would still be possible to have a social life of sorts while working on the door.

Working for FGH Joe gives a word of warning to novice door supervisors. Working with drunken people all the time can give some door staff an unhealthy superiority complex. They begin to believe that just because they can stand up and remember what happened five minutes ago they are in some way better than the person to whom they are speaking. He warns that you should always treat customers with respect and remember that you are probably just as bad when you go out drinking yourself. Joe believes that the ability to empathise with customers and help them solve their problems is paramount for any good door supervisor.

One of the biggest positives about working on the door is the camaraderie that develops within a well run team. Having been a part of one of the best teams in the county at Passions and Idols Joe has experienced this first hand. He cites the friendship he has developed with his fellow door supervisors as one of the major positives that he has gained through working for FGH Security.

He believes that the initial level of training he received from Dan Willis, Head Door Supervisor at Passions and Idols, went far beyond the both the requirements of the SIA training course and the industry standard. Joe points out that the best way to learn any job is practical, on the job training and that FGH have an excellent system in place whereby a significant amount of additional practical training is given on the job by more experienced members of staff. Joe hopes that as he becomes increasingly experienced that he will be able to pass on some of his experience to a new generation of FGH door supervisors and give them the same support that he received from Dan. Joe intends to continue training for strongman events and working in security for the foreseeable future. Given his great mental and physical strength, and the start he has made in both areas, he will probably continue to impress and achieve the goals he sets for himself. In time we hope to see him on competing in prestigious tournaments worldwide. We just hope he doesn’t go through as many outfits as Bruce Banner.

Nobody needs that kind of clothing bill.

FGH Security Ltd

5 | LOOKING BACK A (LA) galaxy of stars Wesley providing Close Protection services for David Beckham when he visited the Printworks in Manchester in January 2003.

Image taken from David Beckham Made in Manchester.

As some of you may already know I was recently featured in the Lancaster Guardian newspaper in their 20 Questions section. Even though we now operate throughout the region I was really pleased to be featured in Lancaster’s local paper as it’s where our Head Office and the majority of our clients are based. When I read it I noticed that due to space limitations that some of my answers had been shortened so I thought it would be good (and hopefully quite funny) to put them in here.

1. What is your earliest recollection?

My earliest recollection has to be going to Pontin’s as a child with my Mum, Dad and Gran. The highlight being the donkey rides!

2. What was your first job?

My first ever part time job was picking strawberries, for a local farm, I remember having to fill a huge basket for the grand sum of £1.94. I would work all day and never make it past £12. My first full time job was as a security guard in Principles for women on King Street in Manchester City Centre.

3. Happiest memory?

There are two that stand out, firstly getting my puppy Sooty, who has now sadly passed away, and secondly being wheelchair bound as a young teenager when the hospital presented me with my electric wheelchair so I could be more independent.

S

o we have made it to Chronicle No 3, excellent! Thanks again to everyone who has spent time on this issue and I am glad it is having such a great response by all. I am also glad to say that FGH Security is still going from strength to strength and, with the current climate being the way it is, we have not been affected too much. I mainly put this down to employing such great, hard working and dedicated staff. Keep up the good work everyone.

I am glad to see the press we have had recently within the Lancaster Guardian regarding our new contracts at both Lancaster and Barrow Hospitals. Although these are only temporary contracts, we are relatively confident that after all the hard work FGH Operational Staff, Dan and I are doing, these contracts will be extended.

I am also pleased to say that we now have a total of six venues where we provide Door Supervisors in the Manchester city area. These venues initially became aware of us through the excellent reputation we have developed over the years from working with a range of student focused venues and specialist events all over the northwest. The feedback I have been receiving from the venue managers has been impeccable and it’s reassuring to know that we continue to live up to peoples’ expectations of FGH being one of the premiere security companies in the region. Another big well done to all the staff who work at these venues.

Following on from the previous issues the next section of this article has been quite hard to write about as I have not spoken about it much over the years, as it is still very upsetting.

I have decided to write about it to show how professional security staff have to be with regards to the type of incidents that might occur whilst they are on duty. Nothing can prepare you for every eventuality. However, my advice for everyone in the security industry would be to gain as much experience of dealing with incidents as you can. Do not shy away from them, as one day you might be the first person at the scene with no imminent help. Alongside this a good extensive training background can often prove invaluable so I always advise our staff to make sure they all keep attending training sessions on a regular basis. (See training session section for new up and coming training events- trust me there’ll be times in the future when you’ll be thankful that you did them).

FGH Security Ltd

4. Biggest regret?

Spending a substantial amount of money I received in a relative’s will by blowing it all on partying, gadgets and clothes when I should have invested it.

Working every hour God gave us, time passed very quickly at the Trafford Centre, and my social and professional skills where being put to use on a daily basis. A couple of months had passed since I’d first started but nothing could have prepared any of us for what occurred on the 10th October 1998 at 8.20pm.

It was generally a quiet evening and I was patrolling along Peel Avenue standing near the dome when I heard a large bang followed by a muffled screaming message being transmitted over the radio (which still sends shivers down my spine today when I think about it).

All I could recollect from the message was hearing the word ‘stage’. The only stage was in the Orient food court, so without a flicker of thought I ran straight there. As I arrived it was impossible to make out what was actually happening as there was already a huge presence of red coats (name given to the security staff at the centre due to the red blazers we all wore) lining the stage and, as I got closer, to my horror I could see what had happened.

I jumped on the stage and tried to help the best I could but I felt so insignificant.

A couple of young children had climbed up onto the stage so that they could dance and play, when one of the 18 stone balustrades that should have been at the front to stop people climbing on to the stage had fallen onto a little boy. By this time an even bigger crowd began to gather so a few of us red coats just stood at the front of the stage making a barrier around the incident until the ambulance crew arrived. At this point I can just remember the blood slowly sliding and seeping past our feet, but none of us moved.

After the little boy had been taken to Hope hospital, we all sombrely and silently made our way to the canteen to gather our thoughts.

Soon after we arrived we were asked into a meeting room with one of our senior team leaders, who sadly informed us that the little boy had died. It was at that time we also found out that the little boy was six years old and called Sam Adams from Altincham. God rest his soul xxx

Wesley Downham is the Business Director of FGH Security he has over ten years of practical and managerial experience in the security sector. In this time he has worked in a variety of sectors and still is widely regarded as one of the best and most respected security operatives in the region by his peers.

5. Favourite song or artist?

Yet again, there are two – Stand By Me (Ben E. King) and To Love Somebody (The Bee Gees). I’m now wondering how long it will take before I start getting teased for that answer. Oh yes, and anything by Amy Winehouse who I’m off to see in London at the end of May thanks to my Mum. 6. Most-thumbed book?

‘Doing the Doors’ by a friend of mine called Robin Barratt.

7. Website most often visited?

Has to be www.porsche.com/uk as I have just bought myself one!

8. Best-loved food?

Difficult one to answer – but it probably has to be authentic Cantonese Chinese cuisine.

9. What’s your tipple?

A nice cold Leffe Blond beer.

10. What’s your must-watch TV programme?

Anything that stars Gordon Ramsay 11. A film not to be missed?

Seven starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman 12. Top holiday destination?

Had some great holidays recently, Beverly Hills, New York, and Mexico. Off to Switzerland this weekend to celebrate mine and my girlfriend Louise’s 12 month anniversary.

13. Which football team’s result do you look for first on Saturday?

Not that much into football, although I did support Manchester UTD as a boy.

14. Favourite car?

Porsches, Porsches, Porsches!

15. Pet, past or present?

My beloved Sooty, who I miss very much.

16. Favourite perfume or aftershave?

Anything by Paul Smith, aftershave that is!

17. Which personality would you most like to meet?

This has been the hardest question of them all. The more I think about it – Clint Eastwood stands out. He has to be one of the most respected actors and Directors in Hollywood. I think he could tell me a story or two.

18. Biggest influence on your life so far?

Although my Mum and Dad have brought me up to be the person I am, I would have to say my business partner Peter Harrison as he has always helped to keep me on the straight and narrow.

19. What difference would a lottery win make to you?

What type of question is this? Well I would probably put it in a bank, and carry on with life, and if you believe that! I can hear Monaco calling me!

20. What would be your dream job?

I think I already have it. I run my own successful business with great people around me who I work with everyday.

Regular Columns | 6

Security tip of the quarter

20 Questions

with Andy Smith

What was your first job?

Washing dishes in a retirement home.. I only stayed for a few months but it gave me the resolve to get myself a decent job!

What do you like most about your current job?

The ability to work when I like, where I like, as long as there’s internet access (note to self – the internet hasn’t arrived in Vienna yet) – oh, and being able to spend the day in a dressing gown, working.

What do you like least about your current job?

It’s ridiculously busy in summer and far too quiet in winter – I’m either overworked or bored out of my skull.

Favourite saying that is relevant to your life or the way you run your business?

“Always remember that 50% of the population has below average intelligence” – always worth remembering when you’re dealing with crowds!

What is your favourite time of year?

Summertime - sun, festivals and good times and of course Kendal Calling, brings the end of the working year!

WRITER: DAVE PATTINSON

Restraint related medical implications As I’m sure most people who work in the security sector will tell you, it’s almost a certainty in the security industry that there will be times when an operative will be required to restrain or hold a person during the course of their duties to uphold the law. However, even if you don’t work in security, I’m sure you will be able to remember at least a few times in your life when you have either had to restrain someone yourself, helped in a restraint or witnessed one. What people most often fail to realise in these situations is that there are always potential medical implications associated with holding and restraining of an individual.

The risks are always greatest when a person’s breathing or circulation is affected by the hold or position, for example when being held or restrained on the floor or bent over. Additional risks are added when weight or pressure is placed on a person in such positions. Direct pressure on the spinal area or other vulnerable areas of the body can also cause serious injury to an individual. This is why I make it clear that the use of force and physical intervention for security operatives should be a last resort and, as you would expect, the longer an individual is restrained or held the greater the exposure to risk. Hence, this is why all operatives or, I’d even go as far to say any person who deals with the general public on a regular basis, should be mindful of alternatives to physical intervention; the use of conflict management skills, verbal communication and body language rather than force.

Force or physical intervention should always be a last resort.

In addition to the risks of restraint in my experience there will always be a risk of slips, trips and falls with noncompliant people, thus causing accidental injury to the individual, a colleague or a bystander. Therefore, if the worst does happen, a person must always be in a position to be able to justify their actions and be willing to be held accountable for them. As an illustrative example in the security sector, particularly Door Supervision and Retail Security, details are always recorded on an incident report or statement, in order for the operative to be able to justify their actions at a later date if needed.

Statistically, restraint related deaths are not very common. However, you should be mindful that they do occur. In a lot of cases they could have been avoided if the person applying the restraint had been aware of the danger signs and was actively looking for them. The most common signs are; extreme agitation, bizarre behaviour, complaining of being unable to breath, flushed or warm skin, attempts to rip off clothing, uncoordinated vigorous physical resistance, choking, noisy breathing and episodes of immobility. When danger signs have been identified, I always train operatives to immediately de-escalate the restraint and seek another alternative which might include moving the individual in to a different position or the use of mechanical restraints with a suitably trained operative.

Besides the security operative’s lack of awareness or failure to review the restraint every ten seconds or so there are also several factors that can contribute to the death of a restrained individual or an individual who has been restrained that may not be as immediately apparent as the danger signs. These contributing factors may include: obesity, medication, substance misuse, pre-existing health issues, heart disease, high blood pressure or respiratory problems, physical changes resulting from sustained physical and mental excitement, such as excited delirium, acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, psychiatric issues, delusional beliefs, and psychotropic drugs.

So people should be aware of the possible medical implications when restraining or holding an individual, the danger signs they should look for and ensure that they can justify their actions, if required to, at a later date.

David is the Managing Director of Tactical Training Services Ltd and can be contacted via FGH Security on 01524 847 554.

Where do you see yourself in five years time from now?

Well if this recession turns out to be real, I’ll be on the first flight to Prague. 40p for a beer is my kind of city.

What things in your life are you thankful for?

The internet & computers – without which my job would be so much harder.

Do you have any regrets?

Turning down the Arctic Monkeys when they would play for petrol money What’s your earliest memory?

Pestering my mum asking when i could start school.. the next memory is me running away from school on the first day..

What’s your fondest memory?

The first drink of cider in the summer, any summer.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Wandering, drinking and festivals. They go well together.

What’s your favourite item of clothing that you own?

Dressing gown. These should be acceptable wear outside the house.

What are your pet hates?

No milk left in the fridge for cups of tea!!

What would be your dream holiday or car?

I’m terrible at holidays – I don’t have many, and get bored far too easily. My dream car would be one which can spend more than a month without needing to go to a garage.

Who’s your football team and why?

Preston, relatively local and I don’t like to go with the crowd!!

If you were stuck on a desert island and you had to pick two people to be on there with you who would they be?

Stephen Fry & Jeremy Clarkson – Fry for the random knowledge & wit to keep me distracted whilst Clarkson builds a speed boat to get us off home.

If you were Prime Minister for the day what would you change?

I’d resign and make Michael Palin take charge – I doubt anyone could be upset with his policies, he’s the most amiable chap on the planet. I’d still give myself a 6 figure pension though.

Whats the one place in the world you’d sleep on a park bench just to be there?

Glasonbury Festival – I think a park bench would be an upgrade to a tent.

What’s the best thing about working with FGH? It’s easy to recognise who works for FGH by their friendly & professional persona – similarly, when working with Pete & Wes you know that you’ve got no security worries.

Now that you’re famous is there anyone you want to say hello to?

Errrr, Hi mum?

Andy Smith (besides being an all round nice guy) is one of the masterminds behind Kendal Calling, one of the UK’s fastest growing festivals. Besides having a fondness for his dressing gown he also enjoys putting on a fantastic party and this year it is set to be another belter with current confirmed acts including; the Streets, the Zutons, Ash, SHY FX and even Goldielookinchain. This will be the fourth year that Kendal Calling has worked in partnership with FGH Security and you can buy tickets and get more information on the festival by visiting KendalCalling.com

FGH Security Ltd

7 | Trainingage Title C.I.E.H. Level 2 Health and Safety in the workplace: This covers several key issues to do with Health and Safety including Legislation, welfare and the workplace environment. This course covers generic health and safety. FGH tailor this course specifically to the security sector however the material can be modified or added to cover a range of industries. Final assessment is a 6 hour course and has a multiple choice exam at the end.

FGH Training Renaissance WRITERS: DAVID TAYLOR, DAN WILLIS & DAVID HASSALL

Level 2 Customer Care/Conflict resolution: This course is one that is highly relevant for any sector where people interact with members of the public, the course is designed to show effective ways of meeting and greeting people and then also how to spot trigger signs to conflict and how to de-escalate these using both verbal and non verbal methods. This is a 6 hour course and has a multiple choice exam at the end.

The Two Wrestlers Philippe Magnier’s marble copy (ca 1684-87) of the original Uffizi Wrestlers (3rd century BCE currently displayed in Uffizi, Florence).

Originally produced for the gardens of Versailles it now resides in the Louvre.

More importantly it’s an excellent example of an effective compliance hold.

G

one are the days when training consisted of just doing enough to gain a licence and then being given a five minute induction when you arrived at your first job. It may still be that way for some security companies but FGH is leading the way when it comes to offering staff training and development- welcome to the renaissance!

Since 2007 FGH Security has worked in partner ship with Tactical Training Services and North West First Aid to provide high quality training to all members of staff. A wide range of training courses are available through FGH, covering all aspects of the security industry from the basic SIA training all the way up to some very specific skills provision.

As a result of our culture and ongoing business development plan FGH actively encourages all employees to undertake as much training as possible. Doing so makes employees more effective in the field and allows them to develop themselves personally. Approaching training as a way for staff to actualise their potential rather then it just being ‘one of those things’ legally a company has to do means that over the years we have developed and encouraged our workforce to be one of the most collectively skilled in the country. Besides being a reassurance to clients that FGH staff are of a calibre above most other security companies such training is now becoming widely recognised by a number of external agencies, including the Police. It should give any security operative peace of mind to know that, if the worst should happen, they have completed all the relevant training and this will stand them in good stead if they are ever called upon to justify their actions.

As a further financial incentive to encourage employees to undertake training courses they have become one of the prerequisites for moving up the company pay scale. We know a course might seem expensive initially but it soon pays for itself as completing it is often coupled with a pay rise.

FGH also tries to encourage clients and their staff to think about training that they have undertaken and whether they would benefit in attending some of these bespoke training courses, fully utilising the efficiency of their operations.

As a general overview our training is usually delivered in groups of between six and twelve people. The majority of courses take place in FGH Security’s specialist training facility based at our Head Office on the White Cross Industrial Estate, Lancaster.

Most courses are provided by our approved

FGH Security Ltd

training provider David Pattinson, director of Tactical Training Services. He has over 23 years experience in the security industry in a wide range of roles including Door Supervisor, Security Officer, Rapid Response Officer and Physical Intervention Trainer. He has extensively trained in physical intervention, defensive tactics, tactical firearms, knife defence and martial arts. David is a recipient of the Open Palms Award in Conflict Management (2005), the Most Highly Commended award in Conflict Management by Conflictpro (2006 and 2007) and his company currently holds Skill for Security accreditation. However it’s not all crash mats and wrist locks as Tactical Training services also provides specialist awareness training in the recognition and management of aggressive or violent behavior, designed to improve the safety of individuals (ideal for people who have a high level of contact with the general public).

Here at Fgh we like to practice what we preach and, coupled with further management training, all the FGH management have completed all of the below training.

We also work in partnership with Craig Pyne, Managing Director of North West First Aid Training, to ensure that we provide the latest and most relevant first aid training available.

To provide an overview our current training offerings include: Appointed Person First Aid Course: This course, delivered in association with North West First Aid, provides the basic level of first aid required for the workplace. It is designed for people to be able to act in basic first aid situations or in support of a fully qualified first aider.

This course covers the basics of how to respond to a casualty. Peter Harrison, Managing Director of FGH believes that, “This course is particularly important for Door Supervisors and Events Security staff, where there is a high likelihood of encountering a situation in which they are required to administer first aid.” This course lasts for one day and has a small exam at the end.

Physical Interventions Disengagement to Additional Holding: This course aims to teach practical methods to disengage from an attacker and an understanding of the techniques that can be used for the holding and escorting of a person. Danny Geere, who has been on the course himself, said, “This course provides a good foundation to physical intervention and can give staff real confidence in practical situations.” The course lasts over two days and is trainer assessed.

Weapons Awareness and Recognition: This course encourages learners to become more aware of weapons and possible methods of concealment. It aims to give greater awareness both of concealed weapons and of the ways every day objects can be adapted to become weapons. Dan Willis, Security Guarding Manager, said, “Due to the nature of the sector one of the most important things we try to get across to our employees is staying safe. I feel this course has really helped people to do that.” This is a half day course and has a multiple choice exam at the end.

IPDTA Spontaneous Knife Defence: The IPDTA Spontaneous Knife Defence course is designed to meet the needs of a person or employee who may unexpectedly encounter a violent person armed with a knife or other edged weapon. The course covers the reasons and build up to many knife attacks and moves on to practical techniques for dealing with such an attack. Adam Tomlinson, Lancashire Operations Manager, claimed that, “This course gave me a much better idea of how to respond to an armed attack. It was also great fun even though you have people running at you with plastic knives most of the day” This course is a half day course and is trainer assessed.

Basic Searching Techniques: This course ensures that learners have a basic understanding of both the reasons for searching a person and safe techniques for doing so. It also covers the legal side of carrying out searches and explains what to do next in the event of a positive search.

Danny Geere, Cumbria Operations Manager said, “Good detailed searching technique is important. Although it is covered during SIA training, everyone can benefit from a more detailed session. Even very experienced staff would value a refresher.” This is a 4 Hour course and is trainer assessed.

Risk Assessment: This course aims to equip learners with the skills and knowledge to carry out activity based risk assessments in accordance with legal requirements and organisational standards. This course is ideal for anyone who has been tasked with risk assessing in the workplace. The course is 6 hours and is trainer assessed.

Fire Risk Assessment: This course enables appointed employees to have a basic understanding of fire and risk assessments within the workplace. The course is 6 hours and is trainer assessed.

SIA Training: FGH offers SIA approved training in Door Supervision, Security Guarding and CCTV. These courses offer the full range of knowledge that the SIA requires you have for the above licensable activities, such as understanding current law on relevant issues and conflict management. These courses take place over 4 days and have a multiple choice examination on the last day.

If you’d like to have a chat about the courses in more detail you should contact Dan Willis on 01524 541984, call in and see us or get in touch with your relevant Personal Client Manager or Area Manager.

Staff & Company | 8

The Winners

Best Security Guard

As voted for by the employees:

FGH Security Staff Awards 2008

Ben Bruce

Ben has worked for FGH has both a door supervisor and a security guard for over a year. He has worked on a wide range of venues and is well liked by colleagues and management wherever he goes. Ben is diligent and flexible and frequently works long hours, often at short notice. Ben is noted within the company for never turning down an opportunity to work and for his willingness to step in and cover shifts at the last minute. Dan Willis, Security Guarding Manager, said: “His professional approach and reliability make him a truly exemplary member of staff.”

Best Barrow in Furness Door Supervisor

Best Overall Door Supervisor

As voted for by senior management:

As voted for by the employees:

Brendan Dewhurst

Andrew Spencer

Brendan is an integral part of the door team at Passions and Idols. He is an excellent all round door supervisor with the knowledge and experience to deal with any situation. Brendan is one of the most sought after door supervisors in the company, having been an asset to every team he has worked with. He is professional and reliable at all times and a real asset to the company.

Danny Geere, Cumbria Operations Manager believes: “He is always at the top of his game and ready to be the best.”

‘Spenner’ is one of the longest serving and most experienced door supervisors in the company. He is respected by everyone he works with and takes a leading role in the training of junior staff. Danny Geere, Cumbria Operations Manager, described him as hard working and always in the right place at the right time. Reliable, smartly turned out and always switched on while working he is a model that any new door supervisor would do well to follow.

Best Lancaster Door Supervisor

As voted for by the employees:

Dave Pattinson

Dave is the Head Door Supervisor at The Litten Tree, Lancaster. He is the official trainer for the company and, as such, is in charge of delivering SIA training to all new starters and also delivering that majority of the enhancement courses that the company offers. As a door supervisor Dave has a tough, no nonsense attitude and is well respected throughout Lancaster. Adam Tomlinson, Lancashire Operations Manager commented: “Dave is responsible for some of the best on the job development of junior members of staff in the company and is an all round asset to his team.”

Most Improved Door Supervisor

As voted for by senior management:

Kev Dainty

Kev has had an excellent year with FGH. He has become an important member of the team at both The Friary and The Lounge. He has improved dramatically in terms of his ability to interact with customers. He ascribes his success to a combination of his own hard work and the excellent level of training provided by several senior door supervisors at The Friary and The Lounge. Chris Overton, Head Door Supervisor of The Friary, said: “Kev has become a real asset to the team. I hope he continues to work hard and remain successful.”

Roll out the red carpet, turn on the lights and get ready for the glamour. It’s time for the official FGH Security staff awards evening. With better outfits than the Oscars and rather fewer irritating prima donnas too. The awards evening is a chance for both management and staff to honour their colleagues for the hard work, dedication and sometimes downright bizarre occurrences that have happened over the last year.

The awards evening took place in the glamorous surroundings of Revolution Vodka Bar, Lancaster. Awards were presented by members of the management team and took the form of trophies inscribed with the glorious names of previous winners. Acceptance speeches were long and tearful, putting Kate Winslet to shame across the board. A special mention should go to Kev Dainty, winner of the Most Improved Door Supervisor award, for the acceptance speech of the night: “I used to be rubbish. Now I’m a bit better. Cheers.”

The atmosphere remained jovial and positive throughout, with each award being generously applauded and the demands for a speech growing ever more insistent. This may have been due to either the enthusiasm for the success of their colleagues or a desire to watch them humiliate themselves in front of the whole company. We’d rather not choose to speculate which. There was only a small amount of sulking from the people who didn’t win anything. Nigel Brookes, Head Door at The Lounge, joked “my venue was nominated in three categories and no award, rubbish.” Though we did all expect to find him in tears in the toilets later on.

The awards evening was well attended this year with the majority of employees not merely turning up, but having made a significant effort with their fancy dress too (note: see last quarter’s issue), except for the three guys who went as Fred Flintstone, that is. At this point special mention should go to to Chris Overton, who was later described by a myopic police officer as a ‘stocky woman’. Thank you to everyone that came and made the night such fun.

and the other winners are...

Best Kendal Area Door Supervisor

As voted For by the employees: Brendan Dewhurst - This was Brendan’s second award of the evening making him this year’s most decorated member of staff and FGH’s Valedictorian 2008.

Best Overall Security Guard

As voted For by the senior management: John Taylor - who was, unfortunately, unable to attend the evening as he was working, a sign of true commitment.

Best Head Door Supervisor

As voted For by the senior management: Jeff Winter - Like John Jeff was also unable to attend due to him working at Yates’ Wine Bar in Barrow in Furness. Jeff beat off stiff competition and won due to his consistently sterling levels of performance throughout the year.

Best New Starting Member of Staff

As voted For by senior management:

Lee Brown

Best Door Supervision Team

As voted for by the senior management:

Passions & Idols

Passions and Idols is the largest venue in Kendal with a Saturday night door team of up to nine staff. The team has become, in the words of Head Door Dan Willis, “a well oiled machine”. Incidents at Passions and Idols have hit an all time low as the team have bonded well together and worked out the most efficient way to run what is a large and complex venue. Dan puts the team’s success down to good relationships both in and out of work and improved communication around the venue.

Lee has been working for the company for a little over six months. Working as a door supervisor in Lancaster Lee made an instant impact at every venue he was asked to work. He quickly settled into a position at Bentleys Wine Bar, where he is now the Head Door Supervisor.

By becoming a Head Door after only four months service with the company Lee may have set a new record for speed of success.

We wish him luck and hope he continues to build on the excellent start he had made with us.

Adam Tomlinson, Lancashire Area Manager,FGH praised “Lee’s Security Ltdcommitment to excellence and ability to deal with the task in hand.”

FGH Security Ltd

9 | Reader Offerstle How to use...

To redeem the vouchers on this page all you have to do is cut them out and take them along to the participating venue or business, you don’t even have to be an FGH Security employee.

If you would like to place a voucher in the next issue then just get in touch with Dave Hassall (dave.hassall@fghsecurity.co.uk)

and he’ll even do all the artwork for you.

New Contracts | 10

NHS Trust Lancaster Royal Infirmary and Furness General Hospital

Trust in us Gary has become a key part of the security team at the hospital and is always keen to help however he can as he goes about his duties.

Door Supervision

Senior Management at the University Hospitals of the Morecambe Bay NHS Trust gained clearance for a pilot scheme aimed to significantly reduce the number of attacks by deploying a Security Guard in each of its hospitals. The main objective was to stopping incidents escalating into physically violent situations or providing the minimal amount of restraint required to stop attacks on staff.

After an extensive tender process looking at how we operated and demonstrations of the quality of service we could provide FGH Security was awarded the commission.

All of the Security Guards we are deploying have undertaken extensive physical intervention training and first aid training. The Security Guards also plays a key part in the wider initiative to actively promote a security and safety focused culture amongst the NHS Trust staff. Other daily duties also include regular patrols of the site and liaising with the senior staff members and Police Officers regarding the management of particular incidents. Dan Willis, Security Guarding Manager, said, “At all our venues and sites we know we make a real difference to peoples safety and it was one of the biggest complements that we have ever received when the local NHS Trust asked us to cater for their security requirements during this trial phrase. Initial feedback indicates that the guards are making a real difference and the nursing staff are feeling more confident as they go about their duties”.

Event Security

Bar 5 / The Nines

Cumbria Young Farmers

Trendy wine bar downstairs (Bar 5) and a modern night club/ function suite upstairs (The Nines); it’s a venue that can cater for all requirements. “The venue is one of the premier licensed venues in Barrow in Furness at the moment and we’re pleased to be associated with them.

Beside fulfilling a legal requirement we aim for the FGH Security staff on duty to set a warm and welcoming tone for all of the customers visiting the bar during the course of the evening whilst ensuring their safety,” explained Danny Geere.

Cumbria Young Farmers Club is part of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs which organises a huge programme of competitions and social events for young adults in rural or farming communities. Currently there are 1,300 members in 27 clubs throughout Cumbria, split into two districts (Northern and Southern). FGH Security currently are providing for the security requirements for all of their large social events and balls. “We’ve worked with the Young Farmers in the past when they have held events at some of the venues that we provide security to on a regular basis plus a few larger out door events. We’re pleased to be working with them and ensuring that all of the people who attend can have a safe and enjoyable time,” explained Danny Geere, Cumbria Operations Manager.

Barrow in Furness

The Globe Ulverston

Traditional British pub that caters for a cross section of the local community. The pub excels at being able to offer both traditional cask ales and continental beers in a warm and friendly environment. “Pubs like this are the life blood of the local community in which they are situated. It’s great to think that the Door Supervisors we put in place can be come part of this at special events, occasions and nights when the pub opens later,” said Danny Geere.

The Ram and Shackle Manchester

The Ram and Shackle describes itself as a new Fallowfield watering hole with a nice line in scruffy, arty, alcoholic bohemia. The venue caters for the predominantly student population in the local area and offers both drinks and food at reasonable prices in an entertaining and lively environment. “From my understanding initially the Ram and Shackle found out about us through the work we had been doing at the Trof bars and we have worked just as closely with them to ensure that the Door Supervision staff that we provide blend as seamlessly as possible with the venues target demographic creating a warm and welcoming student friendly venue that customes want to come back to time after time,” said Adam Tomlinson.

Red Rum

Manchester Red Rum is a lively bar that aims to appeal to the wider student community in the Fallowfield area of Manchester. The bar is always busy from opening till closing most nights of the week with a variety of events and live entertainment. “Whilst we have extensive experience in catering for venues aimed at the student and young adult markets we have worked with Red Rum to offer a special level of service that many other security providers would find hard to offer and we aim to be responsive to all their requests and provide a reassuring level of expertise,” explained Adam Tomlinson, Lancashire Operations Manager.

Locations throughout Cumbria and Lancashire

Preston, Kendal and Barrow in Furness Fun Fairs Family friendly events that offer a mixture of rides, candy floss and the obligatory ‘hook a duck’ stand. Currently we provide Door Supervision staff to the fairs to ensure that all visitors to the site have a safe time as well as ensuring that there are no breaches of the perimeter fences.

Security Guarding Lakeland Leisure Caravan Park Cumbria

Lakeland Leisure Caravan Park is one of the largest holiday parks in the northwest and during the season it can welcome thousands of holiday makes who have their own static homes on the site or book one for their holiday. FGH Security provide both Security Guards and Door Supervisors to the park who are tasked with asset and people protection as well as giving a warm welcome to customers and helping the site staff as much as possible. Dan Willis, Security Guarding Manager for FGH Security said, “The park is in a fantastic picturesque setting I can see why so many people come back year upon year. I feel we have an excellent working relationship with the management staff at the park and we strive to provide them with a level of customer service that is not only better than what any other security contractor could offer but also all other external contractors they work with”.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Manchester

The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Head Quarters houses the main communication centre for the regions fire and rescue services and the central control room which manages all incidents involving the Fire Service throughout Greater Manchester. Due to this the site is classed as a high risk potential terrorist attack site with updates issued on a daily basis detailing its potential threat level. Plus, FGH Security also provide security to over 40 additional Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service sites when required.

At the site the FGH Security Guards are trained to deal with a range of situations from greeting and handling visitors right the way through to full disaster management and evacuation procedure. As always we aim for our guards to be warm, friendly and act as excellent representatives for the Fire Service as they go about their duties. Daily duties include, but are not limited to, detailed patrols of the site, monitoring the site through its extensive CCTV system, controlling visitor access and ensuring the ongoing safety of the Fire Service staff.

Burrow Heights

Lancaster Dating back to the 19th century, the former agricultural buildings comprise an interesting mix of a barn, a shippon, a cart shed and a stable block. Now, in the 21st century, award winning Rural FX is compassionately restoring and imaginatively developing the Grade II listed site into four beautiful homes – Gin-Ring Barn, The Farrow, Hoggett Barn and The Old Dairy. We’re pleased to say that throughout the development of the sites Rural FX will be using our security guarding services to eliminate the chance of theft or damage to the properties.

Trof Corner Bar Manchester

A new addition to the Trof brand the Corner Bar is a specialist live music venue that caters for a variety of musical tastes. Combining retro style elements with, what can only be described as, surreal key features the internal décor is as unique and original as the cliental the venue attracts.

“Working with all of the Trof bars is a fantastic privilege for us and the fact that the brand continues to go from strength to strength as it increases its number of bars goes to show how much of a success a venue can be when you give your customers a reason to visit you based around their tastes and then surprise them with quirks and features that make them want to come back on a regular basis. It helps that the Door Supervisors work so hard to contribute to each venue’s success” says Adam Tomlinson, Lancashire Operations Manager who manages the Door Supervision staff at all the Trof bars and other venues in Manchester for FGH Security.

It never rains it always pours Even on cold nights when it’s chucking it down it’s good to see that Chris and Dom can keep smiling.

FGH Security Ltd

FGH Security Festivals and Events in this quarter

FGH Security Ltd

Staff and Company | 12

Roles and responsibilities at this year’s festivals WRITER: DAN WILLIS

This year, due to the size of some of the confirmed and potential festivals, we will be looking to form some specialist teams that we can deploy. Therefore this year rather than putting yourself forward for the additional shifts that we have as usual we’d like to give you the opportunity to train towards a role you’d like to perform yourself based on your strengths. I’ve tried to provide a brief overview of what we are looking for in each team and what you will be responsible for. If you’d like to put yourself forward for any of the units listed below or would just like some more information please feel free to get in touch with any of us at the Head Office - 01524 847 554.

Front of House Quite often here you’ll be the first point of contact for festival goers when they arrive – often heavily laden for the weekend! Main responsibilities include meeting and greeting, random searches in accordance with search procedures, the use of a metal detector, overseeing wrist banding and/or ticket protocols, refusal of entry for unsuitable patrons and keeping a capacity record. Dependant upon the size of the event the front of house team can be anything from 1 person right up to 30 people.

Backstage Making sure the artists conditions are suitable and they have some peace prior to their performance is the key priority here. Duties can involve VIP protection, refusing entry to people not wearing a valid AAA (Access All Area) pass and keeping the area clear of health and safety hazards. A SIA CP (Close Protection) licence can be an advantage here.

Campsite Security Quite often working all day and all night dependant upon the type of crowd! Key priorities here are making sure

adequate space is left between the tents for fire lanes and people are using the welfare facilities provided. A diplomatic side is needed especially as it’s quite common for confrontation to arise as patrons wander into the wrong tents at 5 o’clock in the morning!

Asset Protection The role of asset protection can be a vast and varied one and depends mainly upon what time within the festival the duty is being carried out. As with many of our existing guarding contracts duties can and will include regular patrols, monitoring traders’ passes, receptions duties, car park management and occasionally supporting traffic management. Asset protection can be carried out with either a door supervision or security guarding SIA licence.

Pit Security Standing in between the performers and up to 5000 spectators can sometimes be a little bit stressful and there’s no time to watch the band! Key responsibilities can include dispersing water to dehydrated guests, responding to crowd surfers, crowd surges, crowd collapses and the occasional over excited fainter! As well as having had the correct training, being at least 6 foot tall with an eye for detail are good assets for any pit crew member.

Response Team Patrolling the event is order of the day here. Being on the response team can mean that at any time the security controller can radio you and ask to you respond to an incident at the other side of the festival. With this in mind a good set of lungs and running legs are crucial to perform this duty to a top notch standard.

Uniform and equipment WRITER: PETER HARRISON

As per usual FGH will be providing all the necessary equipment (including; paperwork and signage, evidence bags, snack food for breaks whilst on duty, T-shirt, hi-viz vests, hi-viz coats, license holders, torches, radios, earpieces, earplugs for use in noisy environments and any other necessary equipment that we feel will be required). Also, unless specified, we will be providing tents for Event Security Staff this year with separate quarters for male and female workers.

With all of the above what should you be packing besides the kitchen sink? Well we have put together a short list for you based on our experiences of being stuck in the middle of a field for days on end:

• Changes of socks (2 for each day) • Black trousers (smart combat-type may also be used - Mountain Warehouse does a good pair for about £14.99) • Black boots suitable for heavy outdoor use (Hi-Tech Magnums can last up to 10 years and are available from £34.99) • A good sleeping bag (it may be the middle of summer but the nights can get very cold) • Food for when your shift finishes • Cooking equipment if you want to cook after your shift (including cutlery, utensils and plates) • Heavy duty black bin liners (trust us you’ll be glad you’ve got them) • Toilet roll • Spare change for the burger stand also comes in useful

FGH Security Ltd

Go on the record WRITERS: PETER HARRISON, DAVID HASSALL & MARK JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY/ GRAPHICS: DAVID HASSALL

Following on from the previous issue looking at one of our approved partners who we work with to be able to offer access control systems we are pleased to announce that since then we have added Westmorland Fire and Security to our limited approved partner portfolio. To briefly recap our approved suppliers list allows us to offer more diverse and extensive security solutions utilising the experience and expertise of other companies that are leaders in their respective fields.

We have a stringent set of guidelines focusing on an organisations expertise, values and working practices to ensure that their service quality matches our high standards and that their organisational culture is a reflection of our own. The benefit to the end user, i.e. you the client, is that FGH Security can effectively cater for every single aspect of security as well as we do with our core manned security operations, creating a seamless solution for any type of site.

“We couldn’t be happier that in Westmorland Fire and Security we’ve found a like minded partner. It did take a little bit of time to come to an agreement that we were both satisfied with but in the end I am sure that it will prove a major benefit to both our businesses. Over the years we have established ourselves as one of, if not the, premier manned security provider in the northwest. Now we’re taking the same ways of working, focusing on quality and an efficient operation and applying them to other sectors of the industry working with businesses that share our values to offer solutions that people are not going to find anywhere else from a single provider. These are exciting times for FGH Security and the benefit to our clients will be immense,” said FGH Managing Director Peter Harrison.

Westmorland Fire and Security has been established since 1976 and are a solution based company that looks after the fire (alarm systems and control panels) and security (digital systems, safes and access control) needs of clients ranging from domestic, commercial and industrial sites, including Ministry of Defence contracts.

They are one of the only independent locally based companies to hold NSI NACOSS Gold approval for Security, CCTV and Access Control.

CCTV

As CCTV Systems technology develops and the cost of production diminishes something that was once only accessible and financially viable to large businesses or government buildings twenty years ago has now become available and cost effective for most businesses and private residences today. In effect something that used to be a feature of every Bond villain’s lair can now easily be installed into most homes or workplaces, minus the white cat and high powered lasers.

The benefit to businesses is that with a good CCTV system potential criminals can be detected and recorded before they have even attempted a break-in or theft. When these systems are remotely monitored, FGH can call the police, dispatch a security guard or use a public address system to

FGH Security Ltd

Clients & Company | 14 warn criminals off. Incidentally, certain County Councils in England are now using similar address systems across city centres to reduce anti-social behaviour and criminal activity by a substantial amount. As this technology becomes more prevalent it will slowly filter down through to individuals and organisations. With Westmorland already being able to offer this service they expect demand to substantially increase over the next five years as the technology continues to prove itself through practical application.

It is widely acknowledged in the CCTV industry that the best format to record a picture in is colour because this is the medium we see in. The main problem with colour cameras is that as the light level falls the picture soon begins to break up and become meaningless. Together with Westmorland we can provide cameras that record in colour during daylight hours and become monochrome at night. As for the cameras themselves they no longer need to look like traditional ‘white box’ cameras and can be discretely located where you need them most and with the minimum impact to the aesthetics of your building.

Coupled with the fact that digital technology is refining picture quality even further there is a substantial increase in the likelihood of criminals being apprehended as fuzzy pictures and grainy low light images have become a thing of the past.

Digital CCTV technology also allows different pieces of hardware to be seamlessly blended together to benefit a business or organisation, for example Westmorland have interfaced the recording of till activity to overlay what was actually rung into a till. For health and safety or manufacturing process control they can also program a camera to move automatically to a preset position to record when an area is used or a machine switched on. This is immensely valuable in preventing false insurance claims and for the efficient supervision of process control. They can integrate CCTV cameras with your alarm system so that you can monitor key holder accesses to a building via remote link. In the end the most important aspect of integrating systems is that they can provide very specific information without the need to review hours of recording or constantly watching live CCTV monitors. We ran numerous examples and simulations with Westmorland when we first started looking to work with them and Mark Johnson, Sales Manager for Westmorland, summed it up when he said, “If you can give us enough information about the problem I’m certain if we haven’t got the solution on the shelf we will have had experience or similar issues and can quickly design a bespoke solution to your problem.”

CCTV systems though have traditionally faced the main criticism that they only provide a dreadful picture of a crime that has already happened and with dated systems you might have had to go through hours of video tape of to find the event- thankfully this is no longer has to be the case. With effective CCTV monitoring intruders or vandals can be picked up by detection equipment prior to a break-in or theft. The system will then alert operators in an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), such

as the one utilised by FGH Security, so that they can call in our mobile security patrol or the police. Our alarm response service isn’t limited to just dispatching a man in a marked van. We can escort your designated key holder to the property and ensure their safety. Uniquely we can also give our clients access to the equipment so that they can view live pictures or recordings via the internet.

Fire Systems

Westmorland also differentiates itself from its competitors by providing complete fire systems. Through having a complete understanding of the technology available and the most relevant products on the market they seek to offer systems that are perfectly suited to the job at hand and are adaptable to changes that clients wish to make or advancements in the field, for example they install processor enhanced detectors as standard with each detector having its own onboard microprocessor to ensure the optimum detector sensitivity is maintained without giving rise to false alarms. In addition to this addressable systems are available which not only indicate the general area of a fault or fire but also pinpoint its location at the control panel such as “Bedroom 6 1st Floor FIRE”. This vastly reduces search times in the event of a fault or fire situation and therefore saves lives.

Gone are the days of a large bell in each area of a building going off and a full building being evacuated due to a fire or, more likely, someone falling into a ‘break glass’ fire alarm point. Now pre-alarm warnings can be used to indicate the potential location of a fire giving time to investigate before a full alarm is reached which could be particularly useful for sites vulnerable to false alarms including user of dry ice for smoke filled dance floors or busy commercial kitchens. As with CCTV, systems like this can now be installed at most sites at a fraction of the expected cost and with no disruption to a business or venue’s operations.

As you would expect with a reputable fire alarm system provider they fully conform to all of the relevant British Standards and have worked with a substantial client base over the thirty years they have offered this service. As FGH Security does in manned operations Westmorland offers an ideal combination of both accreditation and practical experience.

“We are looking forward to working with FGH Security and being able to offer their client base efficient and bespoke electronic fire and security solutions”, said Mark Johnson Westmorland Sales Manager. For more information on the services that we can now offer, how they can fit in to what you have in place already or to book an appointment with one of our consultants then please feel free to contact the FGH Security Head Office on 01524 847 554 or send us an email to info@fghsecurity.co.uk.

Frequently asked questions Because you publicise your FGH approved contractors surely it’d be cheaper and easier if I went straight to them?

No not really, when you come through us we offer the products or services at the same price as the approved supplier due to the working relationship we have. We have agreements with each approved supplier were our clients are given priority over other customers so we can have the quickest turn around time possible. Plus, we have experienced FGH security consultants who work with you, have your best interests at heart and can recommend a solution based on your actual needs rather then just trying to sell you something or make you use a set package that just scrapes inside you budget. We’re all about saving you time, money and actually giving you a security solution that delivers the results you’re looking for.

Isn’t CCTV expensive?

Most of the time it’s nowhere near what you expect it to cost. Due to the speed of the demand lead technological advancements the industry has been going through in the past five years comparatively there has never been any other time when a single camera or CCTV system has been cheaper.

The quote we give is what we will charge so there are no nasty surprises and because Westmorland pass the savings they make onto us we pass them directly onto you.

How easy is it to upgrade my existing fire system or CCTV system?

Where possible existing equipment is retained and combined with more advanced equipment to provide an upgraded system at minimal additional cost.

What benefits do I get from working with FGH Security for all my security needs?

Ultimately, when you choose to take further goods and services from ourselves (other than your normal manned guarding hours or door supervisory requirements) then we have certain cost savings such as no need to set up a new customer on our database or for further credit checks and we already have a personal client manager visiting your premises at least on a monthly basis.

Ultimately these cost savings can be passed onto you – our valued customer.

What if something goes wrong, who do I go to?

We’d be lying if we said that things go perfectly with our systems 100% of the time but in all cases it is usually teething troubles or technical glitches that can be sorted in 15 minutes. We have never had a situation where a client has had to wait more then one hour to have a fault corrected and we’ve never had a problem with a system when it was in use or it was required to work correctly. All you have to do is call your Personal Client Manager and they will sort the problem for you as quickly as humanly possible, though on occasion it does look like we can perform miracles.

Exactly what services can you now offer us?

Fire alarms, CCTV systems, Intruder alarms, Access control systems and a large range of safes (delivered and properly installed by trained professionals).

FGH Security Ltd

Training and Fitness

Banish Back Pain WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHY: Chris Peil

MODEL: SHAWN REAM

Back pain is a major cause of sick days and lost earnings, not to mention pain and discomfort, for millions of people every year.

In my experience you’re at major risk of developing back pain if you spend a lot of time seated so I see a lot of security guards and office workers who have suffered from back pain at some point in their careers.

Clearly if your back pain is severe then a trip to the GP is required.

However painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication won’t address the cause of the problem just the symptoms. In the majority of cases mild back pain can be attributed to a loss of flexibility in certain muscles that affect the shape of your spine.

The firstly port of call is to do a self assessment of your posture at home. Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor, knees bent at 90 degrees and feet hip width apart. Your head should be on the floor and body relaxed and natural. Put your thumbs on your hip bones, the ones that form a ‘V’ shape on each side of your body just below your navel. Then feel for your pubic bone with your fingers. It’s dead central below your two hip bones. These three bones form a triangle. Imagine that this triangle is connected with a flat surface. Then imagine that someone places a glass of water on that flat surface. Now would the water spill onto your body, out between your legs or stand up straight?

If the imaginary glass would stand up straight then your hips are neutral. Either of the other two and your hips are unbalanced and will probably affect your back at some point, even if it isn’t now.

Move your hips to where the glass would stand up straight and not spill.

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Legal notice All content is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional.

FGH Security Ltd is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of the Chronicle. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.

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FGH Security Ltd

hip stretch>

slide your hips forward don’t lean forward. Tense your buttock on the side where your leg is notelevated

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chest stretch

your chest up and then draw your shoulders back the

twisting stretch>

keep your head neutral and turn your shoulders whilst keeping your hips still. Be careful, don’t be aggressive

If you had to move your shoulders back to get them over your hips then do the chest stretch for 30 to 60 seconds.

If your hips are neutral then do all the stretches for 10 seconds each. Whatever other stretches you do everyone should do the twisting and leaning stretches for 10 seconds each, each side. For all stretches get a mild discomfort in the target muscle and keep it there for the full time. You don’t need to be too aggressive.

back stretch

try to get the front of your hips as close to your ribs as possible and tuck your head down to open up your back. Keep your knees bent

If the glass would have spilled out between your legs then do the back and hip stretches for 30 to 60 seconds and the hamstring and abdominal stretches for 10 seconds each.

If your head had to move back to get your ears over your shoulders you need to be doing the abdominal stretch for 30 to 60 seconds.

If you already to align your hips then that’s fine. If you were only doing the abdominal stretch for 10 seconds then increase it to 30 to 60 along with the hip and back stretches.

abdominal stretch>

keep your hips still and try to move your ribcage up and away from your hips

Next stand up and do the same exercise side on to a mirror. When your hips are neutral get your hip joint directly over your knees, your knees over the back half of your feet, your shoulders directly over your hips and your ears directly over your shoulders. This is proper posture and is what you’re working towards.

If the glass would have spilled onto your body do the hamstring and abdominal stretches for 30 to 60 seconds and the hip and back stretches for 10 seconds each.

hamstring stretch

keep shoulders back and chest and head up as you lean forward. Keep knees slightly bent

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leaning stretch

don’t lean forward or back, just to the side. Be careful, don’t be too aggressive final note- Do the stretches you need every day, preferably in a warm room. You can even do them every couple of hours whilst at your desk to alleviate aches and pains.

Give it a try for a few weeks and banish back pain