Can you describe the kinds of facilities where the Guard1 Plus system is used?
We’re a sprawling mill site located right in the middle of a forest, and we’re kind of isolated so security is of paramount importance to us. We’ve got 24/7 security on site. We’ve got several administration buildings and approximately four production facilities. We’ve got a 3.5 km (2.17 miles) site boundary, and all together, our property is 75 Hectares (185 acres).
What does your job entail?
I’m in charge of making sure we comply with all the regulatory authorities here in New Zealand with regard to environmental issues. These issues concern the proper discharge of waste products into the air, land and water. Overall, I’m here to make sure we operate in an environmentally responsible manner, which, in addition to waste disposal, touches on matters of energy efficiency, which, of course, also impacts the environment. On the quality side, I’m the point person when it comes to making sure the quality of every final product leaving our site meets specifications. Mostly, I’m referring to structural timber, which goes into some very demanding and critical applications, as you can well imagine. We’ve got to be absolutely 100% certain that our products meet the specifications set forth by the government, and then some.
When did you get Guard1 Plus?
My understanding is—since it’s before I arrived—that we purchased the system in 2000.
What’s the nature of the patrols?
We’ve got a Security Supervisor who works regular business hours, Monday through Friday, whose job is to manage all the guards working after hours, to manage the Guard1 Plus system and to download the data from the PIPE into the IP Downloader once a day. His job, basically, is to make sure the guards are doing their jobs and that management is hearing about any issues that we need to know about regarding security and safety of the facility and of personnel. As for the patrols, we’ve always got one guard on duty. After hours, that guard checks around the site. Often, it’s an 8 hour shift, but it can be as many as 12 hours. They’ve got to hit all 70 checkpoints we’ve got scattered around the property. During the hours of their shift, they’re expected to make at least two rounds of the site. Each round can take up to 1-1/2 hours—if everything’s normal.
What are some of the challenges that the Guard1 Plus system helps you to manage?
Our officers are responsible for checking to see that the entire facility is locked up, that offices are locked and secured and that there are no unauthorized intruders on the site. That’s especially important since we are kind of out here in the middle of a forest with not too much else around us. Most of all, however, they’re looking for potentially dangerous situations, such as making sure that if there’s any “hot work,” materials that have been worked on during the day, that it has cooled down and is not posing any fire danger. In addition, they’re looking for possible environmental hazards, such as chemical spills or leaks. In the time I’ve been here, there have been numerous occasions when guards stumbled upon a potentially dangerous situation that needed to be addressed immediately as part of their regular rounds. Because they were there and the Guard1 Plus made sure of that, a situation was taken care of before it was able to develop into something far more serious. The Guard1 Plus has been a real help in that regard.
You’ve had the system quite a long time—how have your PIPEs held up?
We’ve got one PIPE and I’m told that initially, we had some problems with the batteries and I believe the PIPE had to be replaced early on. However, since 2002, when I arrived here, the system has worked without a hitch and we’ve had the same PIPE the entire time. It’s been extremely durable and has withstood a lot of abuse.
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What’s been the main benefit of the system in your estimation?
I’d have to say it’s that the Guard1 Plus system protects everyone and everything. It’s a two-way street. It takes the opportunity away from the guard who might be thinking that he’ll take a break or a shortcut or take the night off and not make his rounds. That gives management confidence because we know what’s going on at our facility. At the same time, it protects the guards in that they can’t be accused of not doing their job if something does happen. They can say, “I’m clean—check the system, I was where I was supposed to be when I was supposed to be there.” I think they appreciate that the system gives them that protection.
Would you recommend the Guard1 Plus to other companies?
Yes. I haven’t had the opportunity to do so yet but I’d be happy to recommend it to anyone who wants security and peace of mind.
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