Private Security Company Officers Save Lives

Private security officers are expected to perform cool under pressure and that is exactly what many employees did at U.S. Security Associates (USA), an Atlanta-based security company that employs more than 46,000 employees. Officers went above and beyond by playing a critical supporting role in the work of law enforcement professionals, emergency responders, firefighters, and other public safety officials.

Security officers must not only be prepared to perform essential safety functions, but, when needed, they must also be prepared to provide medical assistance until public responders arrive. According to John Muldoon, president of USA’s Western division, the company’s security officers were challenged to use their training on multiple occasions over the past year. “Many of our security officers saved lives by providing life-sustaining medical support until paramedics took over. Security officers at multiple client locations utilized their training and performed heroically by recognizing life-threatening symptoms and providing emergency medical assistance.”

In Palo Alto, California, Supervisor Laughlin McEnroe was first on the scene when an employee collapsed. Supervisor McEnroe immediately began CPR, deployed the building automatic external defibrillator (AED), and rendered first aid to the victim until Fire Department emergency crews arrived and took over. Similarly at another client site in Boston, Massachusetts, Security Officer Lisa Leronimo performed life-saving CPR on a heart attack victim.

Also in Boston, Massachusetts, Security Officer Miguel Hernandez was on duty at an apartment community when a panicked mother rushed in stating that her baby could not breathe. Officer Hernandez quickly performed the Heimlich maneuver, dislodging a small toy and clearing the baby’s airway.

When a contracted employee who was not feeling well entered the lobby at a client corporate office in Portsmouth, NH , Security Officer Mike Cipriano and Supervisor Joshua Jolin recognized the symptoms of a stroke and immediately called 9-1-1. While Officer Cipriano maintained contact with emergency personnel, Supervisor Jolin tended to the victim. When the ambulance arrived, paramedics confirmed the symptoms of a suspected stroke.

A security company’s success depends on excellent employee selection and comprehensive training. The actions of these officers provide every indication that USA is selecting the right people and training them well.

About U.S. Security Associates

U.S. Security Associates (USA) is North America’s security solutions leader, with 160 locally-responsive offices providing premier national security services and global consulting and investigations. The company provides career paths for over 46,000 security professionals serving several thousand clients and a range of industries. Innovative applications of leading-edge, proprietary technology enable USA to rank annually among the world’s best training companies, meet the globally recognized ISO standard for quality management, and underscore world-class customer service with unparalleled accountability. USA’s rise as one of today’s largest security companies is a natural byproduct of these differentiators together with a commitment to investing in employee reward and development, giving back to local communities, and relentlessly striving to be the best: Safe. Secure. Friendly.SM. For more information, visit www.ussecurityassociates.com.