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A First Response Security Value: Dignity & Respect

One of our core Values here at First Response Security is Dignity & Respect, and we define it as “Treating everyone the way we would want to be treated.”  Jeff Walden, our Operations Manager, gives these thoughts on Dignity and Respect, and why this is an important aspect of our work.

Dignity & Respect in the Workplace

Having had the personal experience of working as a uniformed security officer in the field, I know all too well the important roles that dignity and respect play in our profession.  We often encounter people who are unfairly considered as ‘less-than’ by society, and are rarely treated as human beings deserving of compassion and empathy.  You can see them change their demeanor when you approach them as an equal and offer them the basic understanding that each of us ought to offer each other.

This concept often has an inverse as well.  When an officer in the field interacts with any member of the public, we are viewed through a lens colored by every interaction they have ever had with a uniformed “authority figure.”  Unfortunately, it is often that negative stereotype that we must overcome in order to be effective.  The only way to counteract this perception is by demonstrating, in every interaction, that we not only exude the principals of respectful professionalism, but also carry ourselves with the very dignity that we know everyone deserves.

The Heart and Soul of our Profession

First Response management is committed to these principals as an employer.  We believe that every employee is more than an officer in a uniform, and we strive to demonstrate our admiration for the men and women who choose to come work for us every day.  We work daily to make this the best possible place to work, and we define that success based on our employees’ work satisfaction level.  This field of work is unpredictable by nature, and so many things are outside of our control. With that in mind, we have to make sure that where there’s an opportunity to impact the job, we do so in a way that acknowledges the heart and soul of this profession; that heart and soul is the good people who put on their uniform and go out to make the community a better place.

 

If you would like to learn more about First Response Security and what it’s like to be a part of our culture, check out our employment opportunities.

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Our response to COVID-19

Like many other businesses, we’ve all had to adapt to the current COVID-19 situation. Our newly-implemented policies are not just for the health and safety of employees, but also for the protection of our valued clients during this pandemic.

Our leadership team thoroughly discussed and researched guidelines from the CDC and the State of Oregon. Additionally, employees could give their preferences for health and safety guidelines in the workplace.

At the end of the day, we need to do everything we can to remain healthy for our clients so we can continue to provide the same level of service in safety and security.  It is needed now more than ever.

We want to be transparent about how we are maintaining a healthy workforce and working to protect our customers. Here is a brief outline of our policies:

6 Feet Away

Employees must remain a minimum distance of 6 feet from another person at all times. A couple weeks ago, you would have found leadership measuring 6 feet between chairs and tables in our meeting rooms. They also applied tape on the floors in the form of an “x” where chairs can be stationed. Additionally, every room and office has a maximum capacity. Talk about dedication!

First Response branded mask

Masks & Face Coverings

Face coverings that cover the mouth and nose are required. They must be worn at work sites, during in-person meetings, and in our office building common areas. First Response employees have branded masks to wear. Not every mask fits each person the same, but these masks are flexible and aren’t as restrictive as some other face coverings can be. And they look good, too!

Sharing a Vehicle

Employees may not ride in a vehicle with another person in the course of their duties. In the past, someone may occasionally join a Patrol Officer for a ride-along. This policy prevents any ride-along, however it does not apply to officers conducting or receiving training (during which masks must be worn and other safety measures are put into practice).

Kitchen Guidelines

All dishes must be washed through the dishwasher for proper sanitation. Additionally, employees will wash hands prior to handling shared items, like making a pot of coffee or using the microwave.

Disinfecting Items & Workstations

We have scheduled disinfecting before and after each use of specific items. This includes company vehicles, remote workstations, office workstations, company electronics, and common spaces in the office. There are also several hand sanitizing stations throughout the corporate office for easy hand sanitizing. We provide our employees with the proper supplies to be able to disinfect and sanitize when necessary.

Stay Home

Employees should remain home for any COVID-19 symptoms. These symptoms includes cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of sense of taste or smell. Employees will not return to work until cleared to do so by our Director of Admin.

Work From Home

We have adapted by allowing employees to work from home to limit office personal and potential spread of the virus. Providing this option means that employees don’t have to choose between their career or the health and safety of themselves and their families. We have made sure that this change does not affect the level of service we provide.

 

Again, our policies are in place to protect our employees as well as our customers. We wouldn’t be able to operate without a healthy workforce! What kind of COVID-19 policies have you put into place? Let us know in the comments!

If you’re looking to adopt some COVID-19 policies of your own, here are some general guidelines for employers.