- Scanners Scanners and handheld monitors are not only available, some are concealable. With ear pieces, these units could be used on your security site to locate and assess your team. In areas like sports venues particularly race tracks, scanners are not only used but allowed so the crowds can listen to the drivers talk to the pit crews. Scanners can be small enough to hide in clothing and the ear buds look no different then those used in any Ipod.
- FCC Licensing of particular frequencies for reasons of exclusivity is a must. Keep in mind this area of exclusivity is limited to a particular geographic region. If your team travels beyond that area you may be operating in areas where others have licence to use that frequency. Not only can your team communications be heard by others but you may be "Walked On" meaning another users talking over your transmissions.
- Options Multiple frequencies should always be available, this keeps primary channels clear of small talk, separates sections within the team and allows for back up should systems go down. Most stationary radio systems will use a repeater to expand the systems range (with appropriate licencing) and these systems might be effected by power outage, internal damage or intentional sabotage. If your radios are set up to work exclusively on repeater, you are off the air. A unit to unit channel should always be available. These "Talk Around" channels will not have the range of the repeater frequencies and in some situations might even be line of sight, but you will still be talking to your team. Consider allowing certain members of the team to bring portable units home with them at end of shift. Having responding staff on the net without having to enter your building to retrieve a portable might be important should you have a bio/chemical event. It also allows them to post as soon as they arrive on scene. Shift supers can always make face to face up dates once staff is posted and a cordon established. Only lead team members should have access to the system repeaters/antennas and only when necessary. Have a reliable contracted radio technician or qualified staff member for repair work.
- Covert Systems In smaller yet super critical areas, extremely low powered units may be used for large rooms, auditoriums or halls, these allow you to work in a micro environment without fear of the transmission spreading farther then needed.
- Cell Phones Cell phones and "Push to Talk" cell features work very well. They are usable across many geographical regions and secure enough for almost any application, providing of course that you have cell service and strong signal.
- Short N Sweet Call signs, codes and terminology should be learned and used by all security staff as if a second language. These codes should never be shared with non security employees. Any regular security team member will tell you, it is easier and more secure to keep transmissions short and to the point. Codes make this possible. It also allows any message to remain obscure should it be overheard by the public.
- Extras A combination of Cell phone, Radios, Hand Signals should be employed as the second language of the security staff. Assign call signs or numbers to staff members rather then names. Areas of operation or locations within the facility should be coded as well. The Department of Homeland Security has a number of frequencies set aside for facilities to apply for as a "common" use frequency. After 911 it was determined that some agencies and services might need to talk to each other. If your facility qualifies, applying for these frequencies might be a good idea. Most businesses use three frequencies for security work. The primary "Repeater", the talk around and a second support channel. I am accustomed to using ten including the spacial Homeland Security frequencies for cross communication. I consider this a minimum, Mobile units had their own, perimeter staff has a channel as does command. The others were support and redundant but useful for spacial events. This may sound extreme but that's just my opinion, your needs may differ.
- FRS "Consumer Grade" Radios such a family radio service, over the counter wal-mart type radios are unsuitable for security work. Their channels are too few, they are under powered and equipment is too easily obtained to listen in.
- GMRS or general mobile radio service is only slightly better giving the user better range and a larger selection of channels and "coded" sub channels. However seeing how these are still common and some security teams can be a bit lazy in their channel selection, I still consider them unsecured communication and not fit for proper security work.
RJ Mosca
