training

First Aid
The training instructor further organizes training programmes of trainees on the
awareness of injury, accident and trauma suffered in line of duty at post locations and
the corresponding first aid management and treatment thereafter. The Company
believes that best practice is to ensure staff has immediate access to a trained First
Aider or Appointed Person (someone who can take charge in the event of an accident).
Fire Safety
Because of the nature and vulnerability of the environment that we protect, our security
personnel are trained in safety and awareness of fire outbreak and property damage to
enable them prevent and manage smoke and fire incidents at their various duty points.
In this connection, the training instructor is further assigned to the training of the
trainees and general employees on safety, causes of fire, prevention, management,
control and basic application and use of firefighting equipment / extinguishers.
It is intended at appropriate time to sensitize entire management and staff on the
above fire safety and prevention measures in liaison with Ghana National Fire Service.
However, employees should follow these steps to help prevent fires:

• Before you use any electrical appliances carry out a quick check to make sure that
  the cables, plugs etc are not damaged.
• Do not use any electrical equipment that shows signs of damage, even if you think it
  is only minor. Report any faults you find to your line manager and find an
  alternative appliance.
• Ensure that you place your rubbish in the proper waste bins. Do not overfill the bins,
  and ensure that your waste bin is accessible to the cleaners at the end of each day.

Action to take when the fire alarm goes off:

• Immediately stop what you are doing and walk (do not run) to the nearest available
  safe fire exit. If your nearest exit/route is obstructed, choose another route. Make
  sure that you are aware of the fire exits and routes in your area.
• Follow the instructions of your designated Fire Warden.
• Direction signs should indicate the route to your fire exit. These comprise a white
  arrow on a green background sometimes accompanied by the words ‘FIRE EXIT’ and also a pictogram of a running man. The arrows indicate the direction of the nearest fire exit.
• Do not use a lift to leave the building – always use designated stairs.
• Make your way to the appropriate assembly point.
• Once you are at the assembly point you should report to the Fire Warden, so that
  they can account for the people in their designated area.
• Do not leave the designated assembly point, or attempt to re-enter the building,
  until you have been instructed to do so by the Fire Warden

STAFF TRAINING PLAN
Training forms an integral part of the Human Resource Development programme of our
Company. All Security Officers including recruits are taken through at least one month
training programme including physical training and endurance, psychological and
mental toughness to equip them with the necessary competencies required for the
effective and efficient performance of their duties. Topics treated are:
 Introduction to security
 Duties and responsibilities of a security officer
 Patrolling and Searches
 Discipline and Supervisory Skills
 Qualities of a security officer
 Handing-over and Taking-over procedures at post locations
 Effective Communication
 Bank Security, Automobile/Warehouse security
 Fire safety prevention, management and control
 Embassies/High Commissions Security
 Security at the factory
 Statement/Report writing
 Access control procedures
 Customer Service/Public Relations
 Company policies, procedures and conditions of service
One day refresher course in every three (3) months is organized for our Security
Officers. This is coupled with a monthly forum that is organized for all Security Officers to update their competencies, skills and knowledge of the current security trends and
challenges.
Our Human Resource Department in cooperation with the Operations Department once
in a year assess the training needs of the Security Officers and based on the
competency gap identified, training programmes are organized for those who require
them on consistent basis.

WESTEC operates a well-structured training centre at its Head Office headed by W.O.1 Albert Kwesi Williams, a well-trained and retired military officer. All security officers of WESTEC are fully trained in security procedures and are confident and professional in the approach to their work. What is more, they are instructed to demonstrate courtesy, discipline and politeness to all manner of persons entering and leaving the protected facilities or the various branch locations. Westec has experienced and well-trained guards who have gone through rigorous security training (both physically and mentally). In the process, the trainees have access to training manuals as well as application and use of security equipment like Fire Extinguisher, communication gadgets and truncheons etc. Westec surpasses the competition in meeting the standards of what a security company consists of in the industry today. As a security provider we provide much more than to prevent, detect, deter and report. We know what it takes to keep the subscriber and its business safe by ensuring your peace of mind. More importantly, we have the capacity to add value to your company by expertly providing superior customer service and attention to detail. We take serious ownership of every customer’s company and property. We are proud and humbly share what you and your company have accomplished in the course of the relationship. Gone are the days when trainee guards were randomly picked from the streets and deployed at security post locations after brief training sessions. That was a disaster as the said guards performed poorly and lacked discipline. Crime is learned and sophisticated and therefore Westec management in its own wisdom adopted different professional approach towards selection, recruitment and instructions of trainable persons between the ages 25 – 50 with basic qualification of O’level, A’level or SHS plus good communication skills (oral and written). Successful candidates are given intensive training for two weeks during the day in the class room and additionally exposed to two weeks night shift on the field to boost their interest and exposure on the job before their final deployment. Furthermore, random monitoring and evaluation of their performance and conduct are undertaken by zonal patrol teams. Statutory vetting of the guards and other verification checks on their guarantors are effective internal processes to ensure that we get the right person to do things right on the job. It is against this background that management has engaged the services of competent expatriates to boost the management team to reinforce the quality service, professionalism and focus of our frontline security personnel.

Of special interest WESTEC is in the process of deploying biometric scanners at all prime locations to monitor performance and ensure that the duty men stay alert and not sleep particularly during the night shift. Records and updates of this exercise can be readily accessed by the subscriber at all times.