Transcript of online chat with NAIT's Security Manager
On April 26, Corporate Communications hosted an online chat with Ken Snider, Manager of Security Services. The chat was open to all staff. Below, a transcript of the discussion.
<Kristen_CorpComm> In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, campus security has been a topic of discussion around the water cooler and in the media. Today we have Ken Snider, Manager of Security Services, available to answer staff questions. Hi Ken. Thanks for joining us.<Ken_Snider> Thanks Kristen. Happy to be here.
<Kristen_CorpComm> Ken, you became NAIT's security manager in July. I understand you've worked in private security for 15 years. Please tell us about your experiences.
<Ken_Snider> My experience dates back to the early 90's. I graduated from Grant MacEwan's Law Enforcement & Security program. My experience includes health care facilities, gaming establishments, major public events but the bulk has been in the campus environment. I have also taken additional training with the Edmonton Police Service, the RCMP and the U.S. Secret Service.
Monica has entered the room <Monica> Hello everyone. I'm chatting from Fairview.
<Ken_Snider> Hi Monica. Thanks for joining us.
<Diane> I was wondering if you could tell us whether NAIT has a lockdown procedure in the event that something happened on campus. Would we practice it like a fire drill?
<Ken_Snider> I have developed a draft procedure and can implement it shortly. We have a number of obstacles that we need to work around. Unlike elementary school facilities, we do not have intercoms in classrooms, a central administrative office or a single access point for visitors. Being a public building, we are open to anyone who wishes to come on campus for a variety of purposes. . . A "Lock-down" or "Shelter-in-Place" exercise would be conducted in a manner similar to that of our fire warden program.
<Monica> I would also like to know about the Northwest campuses. We only have security here from 6 pm to 6 am and I don't know if what the security is like at other Northern campuses. Fairview Campus also has many separate buildings without a way to communicate between them.
<Ken_Snider> I visited Fairview in September and will be returning in the next month or two. We are currently going through a tendering process with our security services contract and are aiming for a July 1 implementation. Prior to that date, we will be training the new staff in NAIT procedures and visiting the sites in order to familiarize them with our environment. Another project we are working on is the upgrade of our security alarm, CCTV and access control systems. We will be able to monitor satellite campuses, including Fairview, from the Security Centre on Main Campus.
<Monica> What is CCTV?
<Ken_Snider> Closed Circuit Television
<Monica> Would each building then have this?
<Ken_Snider> The initial plan includes the residence and can easily accommodate the other buildings. This will be a phased process as resources become available.
<Diane> What about parking lots and parkades?
<Ken_Snider> If the question is relating to alarm, access and camera systems, the parking areas will be included. We are currently installing a barrier around the main floor perimeter which will include gates that will enable us to secure the building completely when not in use. We have also increased the security presence in our parking areas and have seen a significant reduction in the number of property crimes.
<Monica> I work in the Fairview Campus Library which is a stand alone building. With our hours we end up working alone, when there is no security. This is a concern for us.
<Ken_Snider> Areas where staff work alone are a priority. The new systems will include duress alarms which
will have specific instructions for our dispatch officers to follow in order to respond. This would include a
phone call to the originating location to confirm the emergency and may result in an emergency call to the RCMP or medical services departments.
<Kristen_CorpComm> You mentioned that NAIT's emergency plans have traditionally not been well publicized
and that's something you plan to change. Can you tell me what you're proposing?
<Ken_Snider> The plan has not been widely distributed in the past. That is something I would like to change in order to raise the level of awareness regarding security and emergencies on campus. We are currently developing an emergency response guide that will also be put on-line. The guide will have contact information, procedures for emergencies such as bomb threats, fires, medical emergencies, etc. In addition to this, we will also update and revise the emergency plan.
<Kristen_CorpComm> What should staff do if they encounter someone with a gun or other weapon?
<Ken_Snider> Anyone who finds themselves in this type of situation should ensure their own personal safety as a priority. When it is safe to do so, contact Security at 471-7477 or the police at 911. We do not discourage anyone from calling 911 if in their estimation, the circumstances warrant a response from these agencies. It is also important to warn others of the risk and find a safe place of refuge . . . that would include locking office and classroom doors, closing blinds and windows and hiding behind something solid. The next step would be to wait until help arrives and informs you that the situation has been dealt with and it is safe to leave the refuge area. There are many other small hints that would make the discussion very lengthy. You can contact me directly if you would like to discuss further.
<Kristen_CorpComm> Thanks Ken. You've said that staff and students have a key role to play in campus security, as the eyes and ears of Security Services. Can you explain what you mean by that?
<Ken_Snider> Because we have people in virtually all areas of the campuses, I like to think of them as "Deputy"
Security Staff. By reporting anything suspicious, they are providing a heads-up to security that there may be a
problem. The earlier we are able to respond to an actual or suspected incident, less damage or harm will be realized.
<Kathryn> I would like to know why the parkade is being fenced on the lower level?
<Ken_Snider> The main driving force behind this project is regaining control of our buildings, parking lots and other areas. When I arrived last July, I noticed very quickly that vehicles were being broken into on almost a daily basis. It was very easy to access the parkade after hours and this resulted in problems with homeless persons using the building for sleeping, parties and similar events. There was a need for an increased security presence in the area. The staff in the kiosk were moved to the parkade and the patrols were also increased by having officers check for violators and issue tickets. We did not have a single incident between October and December. February and March were also incident-free.
<Kathryn> I've had some questions from staff regarding overall security. In light of the 'washroom scandal' and the recent disaster at Virigina Tech, are there any steps being taken to heighten the security of our buildings?
<Ken_Snider> One of the main upgrades is that of our security systems. This will include cameras, alarm systems, access control processes and similar items. We will be able to directly monitor most public areas and open/close areas with the push of a button. We are also changing some of the parking practices in order to increase officer presence in the general campus areas. Rather than collecting money, they will be patrolling areas and responding to incidents
<Kristen_CorpComm> When will the upgrade of our security system start?
<Ken_Snider> This is underway as we speak. The first areas will be the Spartan Centre, Kingsway and other NCAT areas. As areas are renovated or new buildings are erected, we have a spec that will apply for our security requirements.
<Ken_Snider> I spoke a little bit about staff and students being our eyes and ears. I would like to encourage anyone who has a security or safety concern to contact me. All information is confidential and is not shared in order to ensure privacy of those involved. I am often asked to enforce the smoking policy at NAIT. My response to that question is that the issue is one that is campus wide and needs buy-in . . . If our security staff were tasked with dealing with smokers, this would take us away from the core duties of protecting campus users and property. By taking pride in our campuses, we can continue to work and learn in a world-class facility.
<Kristen_CorpComm> We have a couple minutes left, does anyone have any final questions for Ken?
<Monica> Thank you Ken for doing this chat.
<Ken_Snider> Thanks for joining us Monica.
<Monica> Bye.
<Kristen_CorpComm> Thank you to everyone who participated in today's online chat. Ken, if staff have any
questions, how can they get in touch with you?
<Ken_Snider> My telephone number is 780-471-7538. E-Mail is ksnider@nait.ca.
<Kristen_CorpComm> That's the end of our session. Thank you Ken for participating. I'd also like to thank Student Recruitment for allowing us to use this chat software. Cheers.
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