Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater."
--Gail Godwin,
American novelist
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| Valor Security Services Advisor |
| October 21, 2009 |
Guests can take steps to boost safety at hotels
Travelers are advised to take various tips to stay safe in hotels. Suggestions include asking for an escort to the room if the guest feels uncomfortable walking from the lobby and avoiding answering the door if someone knocks claiming to be from room service but no room service was ordered. In light of last summer's prank calls to hotels, the American Hotel & Lodging Association recommends that guests should hang up the phone if they receive such a call and call the front desk for confirmation before leaving the room. ABC News/The Associated Press (10/7)
Building security a consideration in workplace violence
The operational details associated with buildings, infrastructure and security are all important considerations for employers in controlling potential workplace violence. Managers also play an important role, however, and should try to keep an open door and create an atmosphere in which workers feel comfortable in conveying their concerns without being perceived as tattling. The Hartford Courant (Conn.) (9/28)
Mass notification systems for emergencies are advancing
Mass notification, the practice of sending real-time alerts to a large population in the event of an emergency, has become an emerging standard. Mass messages can now be transmitted with the use of sophisticated applications through digital messaging and interior and exterior broadcast loud speakers. SecurityInfoWatch.com (9/3)
Tips for instilling a new safety standard
In order to alter the culture of workplace safety in an office or business, safety officers must first understand the existing culture. This article suggests positive reinforcement as a way of raising awareness, training and measuring new standards of safety. Occupational Health & Safety (9/1)
Hotel occupancies in some regions show signs of rebound
Hotel occupancy figures around the nation are showing some of the first signs of improvement in more than a year. The occupancy rate nationwide slipped 5.4 percentage points in the first week of October to 59.8%, compared to the same week a year ago, while revenue per available room declined 12% to $59.28. However, a small uptick in spending by leisure and convention travelers has emerged in cities including Anaheim, Calif., Los Angeles, Boston, Stan Francisco, New York and New Orleans, according to Smith Travel Research Global. Los Angeles Times (10/21)
More hotels offer free local calls
As cell phones became the norm, many travelers avoided using phones in hotel rooms because of exorbitant charges. Hotels are now starting to change their stance on in-room phone charges by providing free local calls and, in some cases, free long-distance calls. Some industry observers, however, say that hotels will likely raise overall room rates in order to offer free phone calls. USA TODAY (10/20)
Travel industry steps up efforts to battle flu
Careful to avoid causing a panic, hotels, airports and other travel-related businesses are bolstering their efforts to prevent the spread of the influenza virus this fall. During the H1N1 flu scare, hotels cut back on high-traffic services such as buffet dining, but now they are focusing on stepping up the cleaning of areas and items that are frequently touched, such as fitness equipment, hand rails and elevator buttons. NYTimes.com (10/7)
DHS proposes new rules for business preparedness programs, seeks comments
The Department of Homeland Security has sought public comment on its proposed standards for certifying the disaster and emergency programs of private companies. "Preparedness is a shared responsibility and everyone-including businesses, universities and nonprofit organizations-has a role to play," DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said. PropertyCasualty360.com (10/16)
Panel to decide fate of color-coded terror alerts
The Obama administration has created a special security panel to determine the usefulness of the color-coded terror alert system created in the previous administration. The panel is deadlocked on the issue of whether to keep the system or throw it away. If the system is scrapped, the panel agreed that it should be replaced with a new one. The Wall Street Journal (9/16)
Course in session
All Valor Security Services' Security Directors and Assistant Security Directors are taking the Federal Emergency Management Agency Course (FEMA Course IS 520). The course covers Continuity of Operations Planning for Pandemic Influenzas. This training, coupled with our National Special Response Teams and normal emergency preparations, provides our clients with the infrastructure, tools and readiness to face the pandemic threat with confidence. All training will be complete by Oct. 31.
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--Gail Godwin, |
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