know the game plan. A lot of them had no clue about the severity of the event so we just broke it down. I disclosed to them what we did and why we did it. We assured them that we were going to be OK and we would change some things in our procedures to make sure everybody was safe. We were getting calls on the May 6 and 7 from schools asking if the
building was open and if the graduations would be safe. I met every client face-to-face to reassure them. I didn’t want to do it with a phone call. Yes, it did happen, but you’ll be safe. We’ve got a game plan and nobody is going to get hurt at your graduation. On May 7 we had to come up with a game plan to get ready for
graduation because we have one coming up in a couple of days. We didn’t have in-house any scanning machines but we had wands. We went heavy duty on police force outside and inside and removed all trash cans from the exterior of the building. We ran 24/7 patrols around the building. We also decided on May 8 that we normally stream graduations for individuals that can’t come as a lot of grad- uations they only get six tickets to a family. Some have to watch from wherever they are outside and you have people deployed. It’s a pretty cool and neat thing that happens with that. But we made a decision we were not going to do streaming. what they’re doing. I’m not a security guy. I’m just a common-sense guy, a practical individual. I do know how to plan and ask the what challenge me.
Lessons Learned What did we learn? You always need to have a plan. Then use all the resources that you have available, like the IAVM security programs. IAVM helped put us in touch with the Department of Homeland Se- curity so we would have an actual contact we could reach out and talk check and wanding on the exterior of the building. A lot of facilities let you get in. We made the decision that we would do it on the exterior, basically like a stadium. I was very apprehensive about it but Kevin assured me it would work. It did and we still do it to this day. Now, instead of wanding, we have a full detector system in place now, like an airport. preparation in their area. When we discuss an event at our weekly meeting the other managers are asking, what about this? We encour- age dialogue. And if you believe in what you have planned then hold to that. There are outside parties that will come in and try to get you to
change some things about your event. Just like I’m not a security guy, they’re not in the events sector either. They don’t know how to conduct an event. I know just enough about security to get by. Be strong about your plan and what you have, because at the end of
the day you’ve got to live and die with it. That’s your plan. After that event is over; everybody leaves. If it’s going to be you, then you need to win or lose with your plan. FM
John Wilborn is the director of the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas. IAVM 19
on a weakness or preparation in their area,” said John Wilborn. “When we discuss an event at
our weekly meeting, the other managers are ask- ing, ‘What about this?’ We encourage dialogue. And if you believe in what you have planned, then hold to that.” Photo credit: Jamie Carney
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