If you’re in a position to establish, develop, and/or implement general policy at your place of business, I encourage you to assemble a team and take a hard look at implementing some form of anti-terrorism and workplace protection training and education. If policies and procedures already exist, conduct an assessment to measure how effective they are. After you’ve conducted the assessment, consider a serious reworking of the processes to ensure a safer working environment. First, examine day-to-day security. After that, do the same for emergencies, and finally, do the exact same for increased local or national threats. If policies and procedures appear fine to you, you’re ahead of the game, and keep up the good work. However, there’s always room for improvement. If physical security processes appear weak, leaving the workplace possibly vulnerable, it is time to take a serious look at the way business is conducted, and time to make some necessary changes for a safer workplace. Creating site-specific anti-terrorism and workplace protection programs provides the owner/user an opportunity to exercise a proactive role in the fight against terrorism, crime, and violence. It allows the owner/user to assess and implement policies, processes, and deterrents before an attack occurs. It allows for responsibility on the part of the individual and the owner/user, providing the opportunity to gauge when and how to react to situations affecting his or her facility and how to execute a proper response. Finally, it allows the owner/user to develop a range of early and smart options for the workplace and make important choices, avoiding rushed decisions during an emergency. Security rests on the shoulders of every person all the time for a safer and better-prepared America.
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