AST Digital Magazine October 2017 Digital-Oct | Page 70

Volume 17
October 2017 Edition
Security Professionals
– The Unsung Heroes
Help in Times of
Disaster
By Steve Jones, CEO of Allied Universal
National Security Officer Appreciation Week serves as
our opportunity to unite in recognition of these profession-
als who dedicate themselves to serving our communities.
No one could have predicted that three ma-
jor hurricanes would strike the U.S. and parts
of the Caribbean within weeks of each other
and another would be right on their heels.
It’s even coincidental that these natural disasters
occurred during National Preparedness Month—
a time set aside to bring awareness to the merits
of having a plan in case of emergency.
F o r
this rea-
son, it’s
timely that
these everyday
heroes, who some-
times may go quietly about doing their jobs, get
the recognition they deserve each year during
National Security Officer Appreciation Week,
Sept. 17-23.
Alongside businesses, residents, communities,
and law enforcement personnel, security profes-
sionals were out in full force aiding in support ef-
forts of thousands impacted by Hurricane Harvey
in the Gulf Coast and Hurricane Irma in Florida,
Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Satellite imagery from the NOAA website shows the water
vapor view of Tropical Storm Harvey as it gathers energy in
the Gulf of Mexico. (Image courtesy of NOAA)
During Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Ma-
ria, security professionals were every-
where doing their part to assist.
• They came from various regions to staff spe-
cial emergency response teams.
• They volunteered to work long shifts where
needed.
• They transported supplies, such as food and
wa ter, to customers, which allowed them to
do their part to assist storm evacuees.
The Freedonia Group reports that U.S. guarding
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