Event security requires specialized skills and materials beyond that of the day-to-day, stationary home office security concerns. To be assured that your special event security runs just as smoothly, look to the following points.
Portability. All security devices, I.D. production materials, and monitoring systems must be fully portable, able to be brought in during set-up of the event, function correctly during the event, and easily broken down for transport back to the home base afterwards. Complete portability means that stand-alone metal detectors in particular may be excised in favor of hand-held wand devices. There are many positives to the addition of hand-held devices, not the least of which is more fluid and close-proximity scanning for potential threats.
Access. There may be a large number of entrance and exit points, particularly if your event is in a hotel or convention center. It is important to remember that you are not required to open and use every entrance and exit available in the venue other than those required by law. Limiting ingress and egress, through specified checkpoints with metal detection and eyes-on I.D. surveillance, not to mention CCV monitoring, will enhance security and reduce redundant efforts.
Identification. Particularly for large-scale events, lanyard I.D. badges are the current standard. While a convention or social situation may not require each person to have a photo I.D. badge, an event-specific badge which carries the participant’s name in bold print can go a long way to make sure the security staff has reasonable assurance that everyone in the room is supposed to be there. Portable slot cutters, lanyards, plastic covers, etc. are all items that should be part of a large-scale event plan.
Crowd Control. The National Fire Protection Association's (N.F.P.A.) Life Safety Code is the best reference available for crowd and building controls. It is a trademarked, copyrighted document that can be purchased from the N.F.P.A., and is updated every three years to ensure it remains current with standards of construction, monitoring, and public health and safety. Utilizing the N.F.P.A. Life Safety Code to create a systematized, portable, special event plan could save you a great many headaches, and minimize risk overall.