A news bulletin reported last week that federal intelligence authorities are meeting with hotel industry leaders in New York City; Washington, DC; and other US cities, warning them to be increasingly vigilant in the wake of reports that Al Qaeda was planning a ‘Mumbai-style’ terror attack on the Ritz Carlton in London, England.
This most-recent warning to the hospitality sector emphasizes the need for all properties to empower their frontline staff to be vigilant and vocal – to be on the watch and to sound the alarm when things are not as they should be. Eye on Awareness – Hotel Security & Anti-terrorism Training™, an online anti-terrorism and security training course developed by The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and homeland consultant Cardinal Point Strategies, provides employees with the information they need to be alert to potential terrorist activity.
“We want all line-level employees to feel confident that with the proper background knowledge and a keen sense of observation, they can play a vital role in keeping their property and guests safe,” said Robert L. Steele III, CHA, AHLEI’s president and COO.
Eye on Awareness is geared toward all employees who may have contact with guests, including housekeeping, maintenance, front desk, guest services, food and beverage, transportation, and parking. In just under an hour, employees can learn how to recognise, report, and respond to suspicious activity on their property. The course focuses on suspicious activity reporting, what types of activities are suspicious, and recognizing suspicious packages. The program features elements from the Department of Homeland Security’s “If You See Something, Say Something”™ campaign. While most of the content is aimed at preventing incidents, the program also instructs employees what do in an active shooting situation, including how to stay alive and assist others.
Paul Goldenberg of Cardinal Point Strategies, Senior Counter Terrorism Advisor to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, stated, “The recent terror warning reminds us that hotels continue to be a primary target of terror plots globally. It is imperative that hotels be better prepared and equip their staff and personnel with the knowledge and training to ensure the safety of their guests, thereby empowering hotel staff to become force multipliers in the fight against terrorism. Eye on Awareness is the most effective and innovative approach engaging frontline staff to participate directly in the safety and security of their hotel, guests and co-workers.
“The program includes review questions to assess comprehension and provides a certificate of completion for employees who score 100 percent on the questions. In addition to its online format in English, Eye on Awareness™ will soon be available in Spanish, as well as in a seminar format for training large groups of employees.
