Terrorism is a real threat that businesses need to be prepared for. One of the most important things that businesses can do to prepare for a terrorist incident is to train their staff on what to do.
Communication and training are key to minimising the impact and ensuring a best-case outcome.
- How to identify potential threats. Staff should be trained to be aware of their surroundings and to look for anything that seems out of place. They should also be trained to report any suspicious activity to their manager or security personnel.
- How to react in the event of an attack. Staff should be trained on what to do if they see an attack happening or if they are caught up in an attack. This includes things like how to evacuate the building safely, how to provide first aid, and how to deal with the aftermath of an attack.
- How to provide support to customers and colleagues. Staff should be trained on how to provide support to customers and colleagues who have been affected by a terrorist attack. This includes things like how to listen to their concerns, how to offer practical help, and how to refer them to appropriate sources of support.
Staff training is an essential part of any business’s terrorism preparedness plan. By training their staff, businesses can help to ensure that their employees are prepared to respond to a terrorist attack in a safe and effective manner.
We advise that businesses should not be waiting for Government to legislate the need to protect their staff, there are many things that can be done now – easily and without financial burden.
Here are some additional tips for businesses that are considering staff training for terrorist attacks:
- The training should be tailored to the specific needs of the business. The training should cover the specific threats that the business faces and the specific procedures that the business has in place for responding to a terrorist attack.
- The training should be delivered by experienced professionals. The training should be delivered by professionals who have experience in terrorism preparedness and who can provide accurate and up-to-date information.
- The training should be regularly updated. The training should be regularly updated to reflect changes in the threat landscape and changes in the business’s procedures.
By following these points, businesses can ensure that their staff training is effective and up-to-date. This will help to protect their employees and their customers in the event of a terrorist attack.
We offer leading-edge security risk consultancy and in-house support services and training.
PDRS consultants work with our clients to ensure they have a clear understanding of the client’s business operations and potential risks involved in their operation. The risk assessment process is based on a sound methodology that takes into account all relevant factors. Our consultants then provide customised solutions that are specific to the client’s needs and budget.
You may, or may not, be aware of the “Terrorism (Protection of Premises)” Bill, currently known as Martyn’s Law…
It’s a new piece of legislation, currently in draft form, that will require businesses in the UK to take steps to protect their premises from terrorist attacks. When the bill becomes legislation, it will mark a significant change for businesses, and it’s important to understand what the bill will mean for you.
It is important to note that the bill mandates publicly accessible venues and events to implement measures that reduce risk, including but not limited to terrorism protection, training, risk assessment, and maintaining security plans.
The Bill currently outlines that premises with a capacity of 100 to 799 will be subject to a standard duty, which is expected to be relatively light touch and low cost to implement.
For larger venues with a capacity of 800 or more, and qualifying public events, an enhanced duty will be required. While this may require more resources, it is a necessary measure to ensure the safety and security of the public. We believe that this proposed duty is a positive step towards creating a safer society for all.
Whilst the Protect Duty legislation has yet to go through Parliament, businesses like yours can begin thinking about their provisions and capabilities for training as well as revisions to their current security plans right now.
On-line self-assessment and risk management
We provide businesses with cost-effective security and terrorism risk assessment and ongoing risk management. Managed through an easy-to-use and cost-effective online self-assessment functionality.
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Download our Preparedness plan sheet, below, which you can download and use now in your organisation as training material support, and a visible, easy-to-understand reference for staff on what to do in the event of a terrorist incident.