News Release
A New Kind of Security Guard in Garden Hill
August 31, 2009, Winnipeg, MB -- Garden Hill First Nations hosted their first Manitoba Justice Security Guard Training, facilitated by Commissionaires Manitoba- which in turn created the foundation to a self sustained security program.
After months of talks with the Federal and Provincial Government, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) and band members from Garden Hill, the program was implemented.
The collaboration of this program began with the Federal Government approaching Commissionaires, who are a part of a national security solutions, not-for-profit organization. The Federal Government wanted Commissionaires to provide onsite training to residents of Garden Hill, particularly to guard the Dialysis Centre.
The program began with 18 Garden Hill residents undergoing an intensive five day Manitoba Justice Security Guard Training, a Provincial administered exam, and First Aid and CPR training.
Garden Hill security supervisor, David Harper, says the training is “worth taking, it’s been a great experience”. The program has made a positive impact for participants. This is the first group of security guards to be licensed, trained, and uniformed in Northern Manitoba.
“Wearing a uniform has made them (security guards) very visible to us (the nurses) and the public,” says registered nurse, Karen Dyck, who has been working at Garden Hill.
“This program has been extremely positive, many times when we conduct our routine trips to Garden Hill, our former students invite us to their homes to meet their families and to have dinner” says Len Baspaly, training and development manager for Commissionaires Manitoba.
Upon completion of the training program, Commissionaires recognized that simply providing the training did not mean that all the necessary tools or practices would be in place. They then approached all parties involved and proposed a self sustained security program for the newly licensed security guards in Garden Hill.
“The aim of the program is to establish a well managed, professional security organization, managed and conducted by individuals from the community,” says Baspaly. In order to have a successful program of this nature, “the standard classroom training is not sufficient, mentoring and on-the- job training are needed,” explains Baspaly.
Along with training, Commissionaires provided the Garden Hill security team with: ongoing security assessments, mentorship, on-the-job training packages, training of an instructor, and assisted in selecting supervisors. Commissionaires now act as mentors, monitor and act as consultants to make this a successful self sustaining project.
Harper has seen a positive change in the community. “Young people are starting to listen to us now, before there was no security during the day at the nurses stations, today, everything has changed. People recognize us now, they know who we are, they respect us, and the uniforms allow us to have a presence 24/7”.
The community dynamic has changed in Garden Hill since the beginning of the project. This project has created jobs, a sense of pride, and has brought the medical staff and the community closer together. “We depend on the security personnel to support us,” says Dyck.
Due to the huge success Garden Hill has received, Commissionaires Manitoba has been approached once again to start this project in other Northern Communities. “This is a lengthy process, one that takes patience, persistence, and dedication,” says Baspaly. There are over 85 Northern communities with nurse’s stations, many of which have shown interest in the program.
Commissionaires Manitoba is a premier security provider, offering a unique combination of integrity, experience and innovation. We have protected people and property for public and private sector clients from coast to coast for more than 70 years. We are a not-for-profit organization that is part of 19 autonomous divisions across Canada.
For further information please visit www.commissionaires.mb.ca
Media Contact:
Velangeline Ferrigno
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Commissionaires Manitoba
T 204 942 5993 E 2223
C 204 981 3712
marketing@commissionaires.mb.ca
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