January-March 2007 issue

 

FSG goes big at Intersec 2007

Dubai's leading security and safety services provider First Security Group participated in the 9th edition of Intersec Middle East, the region's leading event for security and safety, with a larger exhibition space and expanded range of services.

Building up on the strong interest generated during Intersec 2006, the company increased its exhibition area by almost 400 per cent in order to showcase its complete range of services including all aspects of security and health and safety training, manpower security, state-of-the-art technology, maritime security and corporate security services.

During the opening day the FSG stand attracted the attention of Dubai Police Commander-in-Chief, H.E. Dhahi Khalfan Al Tamim who stopped at the stand as part of his tour of the exhibition. The company's stand also enjoyed a constant inflow of visitors over the three days of the exhibition and was visited by an impressive number of representatives of the local and regional authorities and businesses including security experts, police officers and health & safety managers.

During the event First Security Group introduced and promoted its newly-developed security training courses. "The courses have been particularly developed to facilitate the implementation of the governmental rules regarding the private security companies as well as to tackle some current issues concerning the skills and abilities of the security personnel in Dubai", Mr. Craig Stanbridge, FSG Group Managing Director said. The courses are approved by Dubai Police and were introduced with the aim to raise the standard of the manpower security services in Dubai and meet the growing necessity for qualified security personnel in the emirate.

First Security Group also used the platform of Intersec to launch its child water safety campaign. The awareness drive, run by the company's Health & Safety Division, includes an educational campaign complemented by swimming courses designed especially for the children. The swimming training combines the pleasure and fun of swimming with the practical skills and awareness of the water dangers.

Intersec took place in the expanded Dubai International Convention Centre from January 21 to 23, 2007 and attracted over 600 specialised companies.

 

Blue Convoy Drives the Message Home

The month of February saw the launch of First Security Group's first planned marketing initiative which aims to raise the awareness of the FSG brand through a series of scheduled FSG vehicle convoys.

The marketing drive which envisages regular FSG vehicle convoys riding on major Dubai roads kicked off from Al Barsha on February 8, 2007 and included seven bubble wrapped FSG vehicles.

Sporting the FSG logo and distinctive corporate design, the convoy drove on Sheikh Zayed Road all the way from Al Barsha to the Dubai World Trade Centre roundabout and back, spreading awareness of the FSG name and corporate image.

The convoy not only attracted attention but also made a firm statement for the company's commitment to safe and responsible driving.

The initiative struck home by helping some drivers link the FSG name with a concrete image and reminded others that FSG is the security services provider to bear in mind. For those who missed to notice the FSG logo or spotted the company's name for the first time, there is more to come.

 

First Security Group adds another success to its event security portfolio

First Security Group has expanded its portfolio of successful event security operations by the addition of the Dubai Desert Rock Festival 2007. The company provided two-day full time event security at the festival which is considered to be the ultimate event for the rock and heavy metal fans in the Middle East. With its immaculate planning and professional execution of the security measures First Security Group contributed to the definite success of the event and reaffirmed its position as the leading provider of event security services in Dubai.

DDRF, which ran at the Dubai Country Club from March 9 to 10, attracted some 9,000 fans on its opening day and around 7,000 on the second day. Fans from the around the region packed up the venue to see performances by the legendary Iron Maiden, the Prodigy, Incubus, Robert Plant and The Strange Sensation, Junkyard Groove and many more.

First Security Group deployed some 250 security guards to secure the venue and ensure that the event runs smoothly and accident-free. Apart from the static guards located at the gates and the front and back stages, the company allocated one team of 40 guards to supervise the audience in the arena and one patrolling reaction team. FSG also offered safety boxes to safe keep items which were not allowed inside the Country Club and operated a control room and a lost-and-found section where the people could report and search for lost items.

Apart from the two editions of DDRF 2007, First Security Group has also secured the success of events like X-Games, Dubai Marathon, Desert Challenge, Harlem Globetrotters, Desert Rhythm, in addition to the concerts of Phil Collins, Tarkan and Bamboo and Parokya Ni Edgar among others.

 

In brief

First Security Group evaluates Dubai security guards

In late February, FSG's Training Division started the evaluation of the security guards in Dubai in line with the authorities' requirements. The initiative will see some 6,000 security guards from Dubai's private security companies tested and evaluated as part of its first round. The evaluation process, developed by FSG and Specialist Training Australia (STA) under the regulations and with the approval of Dubai Police, assesses the knowledge of the security personnel on basic sector requirements and is the first step towards acquiring a professional security guard licence in Dubai. All security guards who fail the evaluation paper will undergo the security training course developed by FSG. Only after the guards pass the training successfully, they will be eligible to apply for the official licence from Dubai Police.

As part of the campaign, the Training Division has evaluated security guards from Al Fajer Security, Transguard, Farnek, Citytech, Hawk and ServeU among others.

First Security Group places importance on staff training

In line with the company's efforts to stay current with the latest sector practices, FSG organised a Train-the-trainer course for its trainers and a number managers and staff members. The two-week course was presented by STA lecturers in February 2007 and was hosted by the state-of-the-art facilities of the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai. It focused on training and evaluation techniques aimed to enrich and update the training skills of the attendees.

All trainees completed the course successfully and received a certification from West Coast TAFE, Australia, which is recognized worldwide.