The International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety (IAHSS) announces the release of a new industry guideline titled “Firearms in the Healthcare Security Program” under the category of “Security Department Operations”. The guideline was developed by the IAHSS Council on Guidelines.
Dave Brown, Chair of the IAHSS Council on Guidelines, stated, “IAHSS is often asked to comment on the issue of whether security officers in healthcare should be armed or not. The Council on Guidelines has issued this guideline to encourage Healthcare Facilities to evaluate a multitude of factors and data prior to considering inclusion of firearms as part of the security program. The guideline also recommends a number of policies, programs and practices be implemented whenever firearms are introduced into a security program.”
The guideline opens with the statement that “Healthcare Facilities (HCF) administration should formally govern the inclusion of firearms in the security program. approval should require the development of specific policies, procedures, competencies, equipment standards, training programs, and enhanced screening practices prior to the implementation of that decision.”
The IAHSS Council on Guidelines is comprised of volunteer IAHSS members who are seasoned healthcare security professionals and leaders. Each year the Council on Guidelines develops new industry guidelines and reviews existing guidelines on a three-year cycle. All IAHSS guidelines are available electronically to IAHSS members via the IAHSS website. Hardcopies of the guideline’s booklet are available for sale in the IAHSS online store. The new guideline can be accessed by the public for a limited time at www.iahss.org/guidelines.
About IAHSS: The International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) is the only organization solely dedicated to professionals involved in managing and directing security and safety programs in healthcare facilities. IAHSS is a professional association with more than 2,000 members who are healthcare security, law enforcement, safety and emergency management leaders. For fifty years, IAHSS has educated and served members and the profession by offering exclusive resources and benefits including industry and design guidelines, local and international educational and networking opportunities, and the celebrated bi-annual Journal of Healthcare Protection Management. IAHSS has certified tens of thousands of dedicated professionals who keep healthcare facilities, patients, staff and visitors safe. IAHSS offers the Basic, Advanced and Supervisor certifications, a Safety Certificate Program, and maintains the prestigious Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA) certification, the standard for the healthcare security leader dedicated to the profession. Learn more at www.iahss.org.
