ATLANTA, Aug. 28, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amid breaking news of violence all over the globe, last week's incident at an elementary school near Atlanta sends a welcome message that with violence prevention training, an ordinary citizen can make an extraordinary difference. When an armed intruder walked into an Atlanta elementary school, staff member Antoinette Tuff demonstrated fortitude and compassion as she talked the shooter into surrender. Her response was amazing and heroic—and learned. According to the district spokesperson for the school system, Tuff was trained to respond and negotiate effectively with an active shooter.
In Tuff's school district, certified professionals led Tuff and others through active shooter drills in simulated stressful environments. Because she had learned crisis response strategies and negotiation tactics, Tuff was able to communicate with the gunman and avert tragedy for everyone involved. Triumphs like this underscore the importance of violence prevention training.
U.S. Security Associates (USA), a national security company headquartered in the Atlanta area, provides training and simulations for school administrators, teachers, and staff, as well as for employees of healthcare institutions and many Fortune 500 companies. At schools and universities, USA conducts fast-paced drills customized for campus environments, enabling staff members to practice using verbal skills to manage aggressive behavior, as Tuff did.
In addition to specialized training, USA's campus security experts conduct comprehensive campus safety and security assessments. They evaluate vulnerability factors associated with perimeter control, access to school grounds, and property lighting. They interview key school personnel, and gather and analyze a wealth of data, including information about security awareness, compliance, staff/ visitor traffic flow patterns and access needs, and any unique site or facility culture. Their findings inform any recommendations for enhancing campus security. Campus security assessments also include counsel on the most cost-effective combination of electronic security solutions, including closed-circuit television systems, electronic access control, alarm and intrusion detection systems, intercom and communication systems, and security monitoring and response.
As students head back to school this fall, school and university administrators are doing their homework to ensure the appropriate measures are in place to protect students and others from harm. According to Ray O'Hara, CPP, Executive Vice President of USA's consulting and investigations division, "We are seeing more and more schools and universities requesting pre-emptive safety and security solutions, from campus security assessments to violence prevention and active shooter training. With heroes like Antoinette Tuff making headlines, this trend is likely to continue in the right direction."
ABOUT U.S. SECURITY ASSOCIATES
U.S. Security Associates (USA) is North America's security solutions leader, with 160 locally-responsive offices providing premier national security services and global consulting and investigations. The company provides career paths for over 46,000 security professionals serving several thousand clients and a range of industries. Innovative applications of leading-edge, proprietary technology enable USA to rank annually among the world's best training companies, meet the globally recognized ISO standard for quality management, and underscore world-class customer service with unparalleled accountability. USA's rise as one of today's largest security companies is a natural byproduct of these differentiators together with a commitment to investing in employee reward and development, giving back to local communities and relentlessly striving to be the best security company delivering Solutions for a Safer WorldTM. For more information, visit www.ussecurityassociates.com.