Security Guard Liability – The Best Protection is Knowledge

ESS Global Corp provides Florida State required “G” armed security guard training, and is the only state licensed protection and security school in Florida. Let’s take a quick look at security guard liability.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, under the direction of Adam Putman (pictured) per the Division of Licensing, licenses and regulates the private security industry in accordance with Chapter 493, of the Florida Statutes. Armed and unarmed security officers and security agencies serve both businesses and the public sector. Untrained and unlicensed persons or businesses, or persons not of strong moral character can be a threat to public safety. The private security industry is state regulated to ensure the interests of the public are adequately and properly served and protected.

Armed Security Guard Training

Florida Commissioner Adam Putman With ESS Global
Florida Commissioner Adam Putman With ESS Global Corp

To begin the licensing process for the Armed Security Guard Certification, you must first successfully completed the unarmed “D” course. Then you must take the state mandated 28 hours of armed security training in the classroom and at the gun range. The Florida armed security guard certification training is obtained by completing 20 hours of classroom instruction and 8 hours of firearm instruction on the range. The firearm portion of the class is meant to provide basic firearm usage and safety and to meet the armed security training requirements of the state-regulated shooting sequences to show proficiency and safety with a firearm.
Don’t forget that the State of Florida requires that all Florida License “G” Armed Security Officers must re-qualify at least once per year with the type of handgun that they carry on duty.

Security Guard Liability Issues

While not all security situations require armed officers, they are a useful addition in many cases. If there is a need for armed professionals, there must be much more training and evaluation of the individual before they ever carry a weapon. It’s important to remember there is liability of having an armed guard, but in many instances there is also liability by not having an armed professional.
Also, like everything else, the statutes change frequently, sometimes they are big changes (see the new firearms allowed HERE), and sometimes little changes (uniform requirements). You can read the current Florida statutes HERE. This is important. As a rule, the bigger security agencies generally know the changes before the smaller companies. These statues also matter in cases such as vicarious litigation. Security guards, bouncers, and venue protection are, in most cases, considered employees of the venues and businesses they are charged with protecting when it comes to security guard liability issues.
So yes, it’s kind of important that you talk about these issues with your current security company. If you’re not comfortable with the answers you get, give ESS a call.
In addition to providing professional security guards around the country, ESS Global Corp offers Executive Protection/Bodyguard Training Classes and Security Training/Licensing courses. We are the ONLY state licensed Executive Protection School in Florida and among only a handful in the entire country.
And who trains our guards? We do!
Minimize your risks and exposure to liability. Hire a company that know the rules and plays by the rules. Because if you are hiring security guards, as a business, you need to know the best liability protection is knowledge.
As the only training facility in Florida to be licensed by the US Department of Education, ESS Global Corporation provides education, training and consulting for commercial endeavors, government entities and the general public solely designed to enhance the safety and security of our communities.

Have security questions? Give ESS Global Corp a call today.

727-940-7926

info@essglobalcorp.com

Executive Close Protection Services in Florida

ESS Global Corp is a full service security firm providing executive close protection services in Florida and Worldwide. ‘Executive Protection’ is a phrase that conjures up images of bodyguards and highly trained professionals protecting executives, celebrities, politicians and other VIPs from danger on the road, at their home, and at their place of work.

Executive Close Protection Services in Florida

While it’s true that executive security personnel indeed protect these people, the longstanding myth is that close protection is reserved for the elite “superstars” that are at an exceptionally high risk.
The fact is, there are many people who can actually benefit from executive security, otherwise known as close protection. Here are some of the types of individual that can benefit from engaging a close protection specialist.

  • You do not necessarily need to be a celebrity, a politician, or own a billion dollar business to require your own close protection – anyone who has experienced a sudden amount of public attention may also need one. This is often the case for members of the general public that have become widely known for any reason. This could be for any reason such as a media scandal or being seen on TV holding a big lottery check.
  • If you handle money, whether at a church or a bank or anything in between, close protection can make a significant difference in assuring the safety of the individual charged with this task. The same holds true in the transport of the money, as in many cases that presents the highest risk.
  • In the case of expensive possessions, engaging the services of a close protection specialist can prove to be invaluable. Transporting diamonds? Sensitive documents or information? There are many instances where it’s not the person someone could be after, it’s their possessions.
  • Close Protection - Divorce - ESS GlobalDivorces and domestic disputes is another reason protection services are used. Sometimes when spouses split up, the potential for violence exists.  Either party to the divorce may enlist the services of a personal close protection expert if the other has threatened to harm them.  In the case of domestic disputes, many security agencies are called upon to provide a level of protection to those who fear retribution from a threatening, violent or otherwise unpredictable ex-partner. If you feel that your safety is threatened by anyone you know, regardless of your relationship with them, hiring executive security can be one way to find some peace and normality until the issue is resolved.
  • Travel, especially if it’s out of the country. People often hire close personal protection for business and personal trips they make. Whether you are traveling outside of the country, or going to a high-dollar business meetings, the services of a protection specialist may be called upon. And it’s not just the usual hotspots you need to worry about. People traveling to Europe, India and other places that used to be considered safe are calling security firms like ESS Global Corp to ensure their safety abroad.

There are many reasons to hire a close protection specialist. At ESS Global Corp, we have your back. ESS has offices in Tampa and Orlando and is the leader in executive close protection services in Florida.
ESS Global Corp provides executive and close protection specialists, not just minimally trained bodyguards in order to keep our clients safe. Our Protection Services Include: Executive and Close-Personal Protection, Risk Assessments, Anti-Terrorism, Executive Travel, Self-Protection Training, Club and Venue Security and CPR/First Aid.
Have Questions? Call ESS Global, the world’s leading executive close protection and security consulting firm.

727-940-7926

info@essglobalcorp.com

Church Violence Rising – ESS Global Corp

Church violence rising – ESS Global Corp provides faith based church security in Tampa, Orlando and throughout Florida and the US.

Church Violence Rising – ESS Global Corp

While once rare, acts of violence at churches are increasing by double digits every year. One only needs to go to Google news and search for “Church Violence”. Sadly, it happens every day.
For instance, last week, on 07/26/15, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office arrested Song Su Kim, age 30 of Falls Church Virginia, on charges of first degree murder, second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and two counts of first-degree assault.
Church Violence At approximately 7:45 p.m. deputies were dispatched to the Anna Prayer Mountain Church, located on Peters Rd, for a report of multiple stabbings. Through the investigation it was determine Kim stabbed a male, age 62, and female age 57, during a church service. The male victim died.
The first Sunday in August brought not one, but two bombings of churches (Baptist and Catholic) in Arizona. Thankfully, there were no deaths or serious injuries, though there was property damage.
Violent acts may include robbery, assault, rape, attempted murder and murder. Nearly 500 people have been killed on church property in the last 15 years. Many more have been seriously injured.
The majority of violent acts are carried out by people who have some connection to the congregation. The most common violent act at churches, is a shooting. Often there are precursors or warning signs to the violent act, such as threats or previous outbursts, disputes, or confrontations. Other times the violence comes out of the blue with no warning at all.
Most churches are unprepared for a violent event or how to handle the immediate aftermath. These are the churches that have the greatest risk and as such, have the most to gain from a church security analysis from the church security experts at ESS Global Corp.
Who is at Risk?
No church is immune to the risk of a violent episode occurring. Larger churches have the greatest risk since as the numbers rise, so does the risk. Churches and places of worship of all religions, sizes, and locations have experienced acts of violence.
There is no assurance that a violent episode in church can be avoided.  However, you can be prepared for the possibility of an incident occurring with the addition of qualified, professional security personnel. ESS Global Corp also offers church security training. On August 3, 2015, ESS Global Corp received a letter from Brandon White, Executive Pastor at Without Walls International Church in Tampa.
Pastor White summed up both the need and the completeness of our services.
“As a large church in the Tampa Bay community, the safety and security of the attending congregation is held in the highest regards, which should never be marginalized as a second thought. One of the greatest aspects of the training was the full assurance of complete understanding before introducing any new concepts, terminology, or practical application revealed the desire your team has to help others in achieving their goals. In addition, you have gone above and beyond by offering your services for future follow up sessions to ensure proper implementation, which is a genuine characteristic of both your integrity and ethical uprightness.” 
By taking responsibility for the safety of your church with “faith based” security, you will have done the best thing possible to prevent a violent incident from occurring.
ESS Global provides church security as well as church security training. Since most churches have no security plan in place, this is a great place to start.
Give us a call and let’s talk about “faith based” church security and the ESS Global difference.

727-940-7926

info@essglobalcorp.com 

Apartment, Condominium, and HOA Security In Florida

ESS Global Corp, based in Tampa, is Florida’s best value in property management security services for apartment, condominium and HOA security in Florida. ESS Global Corp officers not only protect people and property, but also minimize your risk and liabilities, while increasing your property’s marketability and tenant retention.

Apartment, Condominium, and HOA Security In Florida

It goes without saying that if you keep your community relatively crime-free it improves business. So how does your apartment and condominium security directly correlate to making more money? Well, you need to keep the occupancy rates high and attract good people and families to rent to. Above all, the right security company will find the proper balance, serving both the needs of the management company and the needs of the residents and their families. This is where having the right security company can do both.
Bad residents don’t like good security. If a resident is looking to sell drugs, or commit any crimes, they tend to look for complexes that don’t have security. The reality is that having the right security guard company will eventually attract good, long-term residents, because in your apartment/condo/gated community they will feel safe.
But bad things happen in even in good places.

Global Corp HOA Security
ESS Global Corp HOA Security

ESS Global apartment/condominium/gated community/HOA private security services includes: gate guards, walking guard and mobile patrols, pool and clubhouse usage and access, access and area control, identification verification, alarm monitoring and response, loss prevention, parking enforcement, theft and crime deterrence, policy enforcement, and more with complete daily log reports. Additionally, our security officers will be present for evictions and conflict resolution.
Professionally Trained
All of our officers complete a rigorous security training program at our school, which is the only Security School in Florida licensed by the Florida Department of Education. We offer emergency, short and long-term uniformed guards, and they can be either armed or unarmed.
More and more soft targets are getting hit.
Whether it’s a movie theater or a church, or your home or your car. No one is 100% safe anymore.  You know you have the right security company when a simple task, such as checking frequently on a home when the owners are off on vacation, to a complex task as “de-escalating” a conflict, is handled courteously and professionally for all parties.  ESS Global is the right choice for apartment, condominium and HOA security in Florida. We are a leader in property management security services.
We offer a complimentary on-site security survey to every client we meet, which allows us to determine your specific vulnerabilities, threats, and needs. ESS Global Corp strives to ensure that you receive the best return on your security investment, and that your security efforts effectively reinforce your policies and procedures. Whether you are looking for a temporary security service for a “stopgap” measure or a full-service, comprehensive security program, you can trust that ESS Global Corp protective services will be carried out with the utmost in professional integrity and vigilance.
Our management team is available for community/association/neighborhood/property management board and committee meetings.
Call us today for a free customized security assessment by the leader in Florida security, ESS Global Corp. 

727-940-7926

info@essglobalcorp.com

Executive Protection in Florida and More

ESS Global Corp specializes in Executive Protection in Florida and more, with a presence in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville, West Palm beach and more.

Executive Protection in Florida and More

Being a corporate executive may not be as stressful as you may think, but it’s certainly dangerous. Or at least, that’s a reasonable conclusion based on the money companies spend protecting their top executives.
Executive compensation reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over the past several years reveals how much companies spend to protect their top executives.
Oracle, spends about $2 million/year protecting Chief Executive Larry Ellison. Google spends over $500,000 protecting Chief Executive Eric Schmidt. Disney over $1 million for Mr. Eisner.
More and more frequently, large companies are accepting security expenditures as a necessary cost of doing business. Top executives are the company’s most valuable assets, and they need to treat them accordingly. In the Ford Annual Proxy Report they Ford states that, “the benefits of providing these programs outweigh the relatively minor costs associated with them.” Ford spends over $1 million a year protecting its top executives and members of the Ford family.

Executive Protection ESS Global Corp - On The Job
Executive Protection ESS Global Corp – On The Job

Executive Protection in Florida – ESS Global

An executive will contract with a security company such as ESS Global Corp to provide guards at their home, both for screening visitors as well as stationed around the perimeter and inside the property. And it’s not just corporate executives; politicians, celebrities, athletes, and more are hiring executive protection specialists.
The risks increase when people travel and even more so if that travel is outside the US, as is often the case with celebrities. Most hire additional manpower when they travel to high-crime countries. The executive protection guards use secure drivers, plan secure routes, and investigate cars, limos, even the corporate jet for potential security breaches such as unidentified luggage.
Agents scout out hotels, meeting rooms, restaurants, venues and more in advance.
“People need to remember”, says Theodore Billiris, CEO of ESS Global Corp, “everyday situations in relatively safe locations are not totally risk free. It doesn’t matter if the threat is planned or opportunistic. Incidents affecting personal safety, both directly and indirectly, can and do occur every day. This threat is heightened with travel outside the perceived safety of the home.”
ESS Global Corp clients benefit from:

  • Customized Risk Assessments
  • Close Protection Agent Availability Across The US, As Well As Globally
  • Secure Ground Transportation
  • Travel Planning and Protection
  • Private Aircraft Protection
  • Special Event Security
  • Venue Security and Protection

ESS Global Corp will take every precaution when it comes to protecting you, your family, and your property.  Our agents experience in this field is second to none.
Our solutions are tailored to your needs. Give us a call or drop us a line and find out more about the ESS Global difference.

727-940-7926

info@essglobalcorp.com

Where’s Your Head At?

So you are all high-speed now, you have a 1.75 inch belt, desert tan ball cap with Velcro patch. You have Sabre Red Pepper, tactical knife, and you’ve mounted torches to your waist; one in the front and a tactical back up in the rear! Remember what your instructor said during training: “two is one, one is none!”
You weren’t sure what time of day you would be on post so you stored away some black flex cuffs and some white ones, you don’t want to offend anyone, right?
Now when it comes to firearms you figure the bigger the better, so you strap a 9mm hand cannon to your hip. You have taken all the courses and the State has issued your credentials. You have passed the entire necessary tests; you’re ready to go, right? WRONG!
IMG_0043 (5)Ask yourself these questions:

  • Am I willing to take another human being’s life to save my own or the life of another?
  • Am I capable of defending another, or myself and then render first aid and/or CPR to the very person I just injured?
  • Am I ready to face the consequences of my actions and defend those actions in a court of law?
  • What about the effects of my actions on my family and my friends, how will the public view my actions?

Each of the answers to these questions should actually create new questions to be answered, depending on which direction you have chosen. The bottom line is there is much more to think about than just, what kind of gear you will equip yourself with. Stay safe and consider all your options before you need them!

727-940-7926

Which Defensive Tactics Work Best?

This is a question that defensive tactics experts and instructors have debated and continue to debate. But, in reality, the answer is simple. I don’t care what defensive tactics or martial arts discipline you train in or feel that you have mastered, the answer is the same. ALL experienced executive protection agents will agree that the best defensive tactic we have as agents, that will give us the greatest chance of survival and least chance of injury, is AVOIDANCE. Avoidance is our best defensive tactic.
IMG_0027 (3)
This is not the industry you enter into to get a charge or to prove your manhood. As we like to say in the executive protection industry, “boring is good!” A boring day is a safe day. It means that we have done our jobs so well that an attack on our client wasn’t possible or was thwarted. So, back to avoidance and how it can help us keep the job boring. When we see a possible oncoming threat, avoidance allows us to go another direction, choose another route, pick another restaurant, etc. We live to fight another day. There is no loss of respect when an executive protection agent chooses avoidance over conflict. And, I can assure, whether you win or loose the conflict you will affect your client in todays sue happy society.
Now, there are times when avoidance is not possible and you must use defensive tactics to protect yourself and your client. In those instances, the defensive tactics that works best are those that you have practiced. Remember, defensive tactics are like anything else in life: it’s all about repetition! The way you train is the way you will perform. To achieve muscle memory in an effort to utilize tactics effectively, you must practice them thousands of times.
This is why ESS Global Corp’s executive protection certification course spends 2-3 hours on defensive tactics and utilizes the majority of the time teaching you executive protection principles. It’s because we know that there is no way, even if we used a whole day on defensive tactics, that you will be proficient enough to be effective utilizing those techniques in the field. We use those 2-3 hours as an eye opener to show our students that there are other areas of training available to make them better agents.
If you have any questions about defensive tactics, executive protection, security training or different martial arts disciplines, please inquire and we will give you our input. We hope this has helped, and until next time, stay alert and stay safe!

Be a student of everyone you can!

raytravisThere are training courses where you lay foundations and then there are courses where you actually put walls up and hang drywall. Now if you know anything about building a house, you will know that building walls and hanging drywall secures and holds the home together. We have learned over the years that diversifying you’re training is extremely important. Learning new and improved techniques are vital to your growth and fine-tuning your skill set so that you can be the most effective operator out there.
Whether you are a professional contractor or just an ordinary citizen protecting yourself, training and re-training are very important. So the next time you’re looking for something to do, take advantage of seminars your local gun range or gun store may be hosting, you never know what information or technique you may pick up. Remember, amateurs train until they get it right, Experts train until they can’t get it wrong.

Executive Protection falls under Class D security, Good or Bad?

9288169_origAt ESS Global Corp, much like the rest of the Executive Protection and Security industry, we are eagerly awaiting the day when Executive Protection will have its own license. No more wondering if you need a C, D or any other letter in the alphabet license that there is. For years, industry professionals have been trying to figure out why Executive Protection has been lumped under the same license as Private Investigation. Especially when the two industries are extremely different. We all know that the State-mandated C License course covers about 2% of what you need to know to work in the Executive Protection industry. But the fact that Executive Protection is lumped under the C License has made it a bit more difficult for those with aspirations of entering the Executive Protection industry. But, is that a bad thing? Let’s talk about Executive Protection being just under the D License.
Now, the requirements to enter the Executive Protection industry would be much easier if it were classified under the class D License, but at the same time, what types of individuals would now, by law, qualify to do Executive Protection work? You got it! Those same lackluster individuals that sat next to you in your D License training course that you said in the back of your mind, “I can’t believe this guy is going to be protecting somebody or securing an area!” Just think, you and Paul Blart working the same Executive Protection detail!
And let’s talk about what this will do to the pay rates in the Executive Protection industry. Now that any security guard qualifies as an Executive Protection agent (by law only), prospective clients will use those same security rates when it comes to pay. In addition, you will have security companies offering Executive Protection services (because they can by law) and asking for security guard rates. This will totally undercut true Executive Protection companies and lower the bar for the entire industry. There are companies already doing this. You know of them. They bid jobs at ridiculously low rates and then put out a Craigslist ad to fill them.
Well, we hope you found this insightful and look forward to hearing your thoughts. Until then, stay alert and stay safe!