At the time of this article’s writing, extreme weather is affecting communities across much of the Southeastern United States. Events are unfolding quickly, leaving families and organizations in need of essential services. In order to keep people, places, and property safe, folks often need to source solutions on short notice.
Extreme weather events are becoming more common across North America. Our hearts go out to those affected by this most recent disaster—one that is all too relatable for many of us who have also had our lives affected by the unpredictable forces of nature. The Guard Alliance has been in business for over a decade. Over that span of time, our team members in the field have had to assist during many crises like the one currently unfolding.
A few common security and fire safety concerns emerge during extreme weather events. We’ve put together this short read to help folks in our network adjust their risk management plans and better prepare for these challenges. By following best practices and sourcing key vendors in advance, decision-makers can avoid having to make tough decisions under duress.
Armed & Unarmed Guards Needed Quickly
Extreme weather’s unpredictability makes it one of the most difficult large-scale risks to address. Even the most diligent planners can find themselves in need of armed or unarmed security guards with minimal lead time. Sourcing vendors under these conditions can be quite tricky, and many folks end up paying too much, settling for inferior services, or leaving their critical assets vulnerable to security threats.
Here are some of the common security challenges that organizations face during extreme weather conditions:
- Limited ability to report issues to authorities
- Increased rates of theft and vandalism
- Built-in security systems going offline
- Power and supply chain disruptions
- Damage to assets and data
In addition, conditions during extreme weather can change hourly. Critical assets may need to be monitored 24/7 so authorities can be notified when safety is compromised. If power is out in your region, it may limit your ability to maintain surveillance using built-in systems such as cameras. Security guards offer a flexible, comprehensive solution that can complement your existing security infrastructure and fill any gaps that might emerge due to extreme weather.
Fire Watch During Extreme Weather
Fire watch security guards are required at a job site whenever built-in fire safety systems go offline for more than four hours. Fire watch must also be deployed at construction sites with heightened fire risk due to extreme weather and other factors. If environmental conditions cause the level of fire risk to change hourly—when wildfires are burning nearby, for example—fire watch may be needed to keep eyes on critical assets and to notify authorities if conditions worsen.
Some common fire watch challenges during extreme weather include:
- Critical “Hot Work” needs to be accomplished despite weather
- Weather conditions create heightened fire risk on-site
- Power outages shut down fire safety systems
- Assets need to be monitored 24/7
Once again, the best way to plan for these emergent challenges is to source reliable vendors in advance. Partner with a reliable security and fire watch provider that can deploy to your location with minimal advanced notice.
The Guard Alliance is Ready to Assist
The Guard Alliance has been proud to serve communities across the United States for over a decade. Our security and fire watch guards have been called in during extreme weather events to safeguard critical infrastructure, prevent loss, and protect people and places. We hope you’ll Contact us if you need armed, unarmed, or fire watch security guards, and stay safe during this difficult time.
