Sorensen, Wilder and Associates
111 N, Michigan Ave
Bradley, IL 60915
800-568-2931 (voice)
815-933-1464 (fax)

 

 

 

 

SWA News and Events                                                         last update 8/11/08

HOSPITAL SECURITY OFFICER KILLED IN LINE OF DUTY

 

A security officer at a hospital in Springfield, MO has died as a result of injuries sustained after being attacked by a patient who was brought in by police for treatment.  Officer Monte Ruby died from head injuries after being kicked in the head by the offender.  The offender then escaped from the hospital, but was later apprehended by a police K-9 unit. 

 

Our condolences to Officer Ruby's immediate family, as well as his work family in the hospital.  May he rest in peace.

 

*****

 

ARMED INTRUDERS PRESENT UNIQUE SECURITY CHALLENGES

 

Imagine answering a phone call, and the person on the other end tells you there is

someone with a gun on the way to your facility. What is the first thing you would do? Is there a plan in place to help your staff deal with such an emergency situation? Are you prepared?

 

As reported on June 7, 2008 in the Valley Courier in Alamosa, Colorado, this is exactly what happened at the SLV Regional Medical Center. Staff at the Alamosa facility received a phone call that a man armed with a gun was on his way to the facility. SLV immediately declared “code silver” and locked down the building as well as its associated facilities in the area. While the police conducted their investigation at the Medical Center, a designated team of staff members—who are trained to de-escalate emergency situations—assisted people who were in common areas to secure locations, guarded entrances and ensured that nobody entered or exited the building. Fortunately, no gunman was found, and the lockdown was over in about two hours.

 

This Could Happen to You!   Will You be Prepared?

 

 

The answer: Yes! You can be prepared with the assistance of the safety and security specialists of EM Alliance partners Sorensen, Wilder & Associates (SWA). Steve Wilder, BA, CHSP leads a team of professional health care security consultants who will work with you on a Security Vulnerability Assessment that will allow you to identify where security vulnerabilities exist in your facility and on your campus. SWA’s services are provided to health care facilities across the United States that are serious about ensuring security and safety.

 

*****

 

LEXINGTON, KY OFFICIALS INVESTIGATE BOMB BROUGHT INTO HOSPITAL

 

Police in Lexington, KY are investigating an incident in which a live bomb was brought into a local hospital by the father of the teenaged boy allegedly building the explosive device.  Initial reports indicate that the teen was building the bomb at home when he was overcome by chemical fumes used in making the device.  He was transported to the hospital by his father, who also brought the bomb with him to the hospital.

 

Authorities transported the device to a remote site, where it was detonated without incident.

 

*****

UNAUTHORIZED INTRUDERS SERVE AS A RISK REMINDER

Some time ago, SWA began encouraging client hospitals to focus on their accessibility issues, and to be aware of the increased risks associated with unauthorized intruders.  We often hear “war stories”, and more often than not, the turn out to be fabricated.  In this case, we had the opportunity to verify the authenticity of this report from an Indiana hospital, and to visit with the corporate security director for the hospital system.  The incident serves as a wake up call to all hospitals that, regardless of location, they are at risk, and that they must take steps to make certain that authorized visitors get in, while unwanted ones are stopped and challenged.

 

At ***** Hospital, a security officer approached 2 men of Middle East descent who were videotaping inside our hospital. He had them shut off the video recorder and asked them for ID, they responded that they did not have any ID. They then proceeded to go outside and get in their vehicle and leave the property. Our officer noted the license plate, and reported the incident to local police.  We learned that the car was a rental car, and it had been rented on a foreign license.

 

We don't know if any other hospitals have experienced something similar, but I wanted to share this with you so that you two could share as you see fit with other hospitals.

 

                                                                                      -  interviewed by Steve Wilder, CHSP

*****

SCHOOL SECURITY ISSUES CONTINUE TO DRAW ATTENTION

American schools are being plagued by an increase in violence, and school administrators are scrambling for solutions.  Sorensen, Wilder & Associates (SWA) wants to point out that quick fixes will not provide the answers we need, and that corrective measures have to be taken from a programmatic approach, and must include the entire security program.

Steve Wilder, President and COO of Sorensen, Wilder & Associates (SWA) was recently a guest on the WGN Channel 9 News at Noon, talking about emerging issues in school security.  With school clients across the nation, SWA has earned a national reputation for it's no-nonsense approach to securing our schools. Steve spoke to a national audience on the Chicago-based super station about the P2T2® approach to securing schools, and how People, Programs, Training, and Technology must all be addressed in order to have a complete school security program.

For more information, contact SWA at 800-568-2931.

*****

 

SWA INTRODUCES "DESKTOP SECURITY AUDITS FOR SCHOOLS"

 

Dan Wilder, Senior Consultant and School Security Specialist for Sorensen, Wilder & Associates (SWA) has announced the introduction of new "Desktop Security Audits For Schools".

The Desktop Security Audit is a program designed to assess vulnerabilities in a school’s security plan, but priced for those unable to absorb the expense of a comprehensive on-site security vulnerability assessment.  The Desktop Security Audit includes:

  • Complete review of all written security policies

  • Review of minutes of Safety Committee / Crisis Committee meetings

  • Detailed telephone interviews with administrators, faculty, and staff

  • Written report with audit results and recommendations

For more information, contact Dan Wilder at SWA at 800-568-2931

*****

SWA's "THE ESSENTIALS OF AGGRESSION MANAGEMENT IN HEALTHCARE" NOW AVAILABLE AS IN-HOUSE TRAINING PROGRAM

In Economics 101, we learned the basic rule of supply and demand. At SWA, we are now experiencing it firsthand. Since our book "The Essentials of Aggression Management in Healthcare: From Talkdown to Takedown" was first published, our program by the same title has become so popular, we can no longer keep up with the demand for training. As a result, SWA has announced the development of a Train-The-Trainer class, designed to allow hospitals to use in-house instructors to provide this popular training.

The pilot program was provided at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE where Ann Taylor-Trujillo, Director of Clinical Services said "we have used a number of other programs in the past, but turned to the SWA program because it was specifically focused on hospitals, and because it was taught by experienced hospital security professionals. The training was realistic, enjoyable, and affordable".

For more information on bringing this program into your hospital, contact SWA at 800-568-2931.
 

For information on any SWA program, contact us at 800-568-2931

 

 

 

 

 
Copyright © 2008 Sorensen, Wilder & Associates.  All rights reserved.