By Jim Foston, PID Certified Adult Educator & Founder, The Foston Group
In the security industry, there is a growing desire to be recognized as “First Responders.” We see the respect given to Police, Fire, and EHS, and we want to share in that title. We wear uniforms that look like police uniforms; we drive cars that look like police cars. It is natural to want the title, too.
But I am here to tell you that fighting for that title is a mistake. In fact, it is a legal trap that could end your career.
The “Duty to Act” Trap. The term “First Responder” is not just a job title; in many jurisdictions, it implies a statutory Duty to Act. When a Police Officer sees a violent crime or a Firefighter sees a burning building, they are often sworn to intervene. They have the training, the equipment, the backup, and the Qualified Immunity to rush into danger.
Private Security Officers do not.
We operate under a Duty of Care. We have a duty not to be negligent. We have a duty to protect the property or people we are contracted to watch. But we generally do not have a legal duty—or the legal protection—to rush into a burning building or tackle a violent offender.
When we call ourselves “First Responders,” we confuse young guards. We encourage “Hero Syndrome.” We make them believe they must act like police. And when they do—and someone gets hurt—the courts will not treat them like heroes. They will treat them like liable private citizens.
The Solution: The “Initial Responder”. The reality of our job is more complex. Police and Fire are dispatched; they are travelling; they arrive. That takes time.
We are already there.
We are the Initial Responders. We own the “Gap” that critical 10 to 20 minutes between the incident starting and the sirens arriving.
Our job is not to extinguish the fire; it is to activate the alarm, clear the building, and guide the Fire Department in. Our job is not to arrest the violent offender; it is to lock the perimeter, protect the bystanders, and guide the Police in.
Why Words Matter: Embracing the title “Initial Responder” is not a demotion. It is a tactical definition. It defines our specialized role: Stabilize, Contain, Report.
By teaching our students to be proud Initial Responders, we protect them from physical harm and our clients from liability. We stop pretending to be under-equipped police officers and start being highly effective security professionals.
So let the Police have their title. We have a different job to do, and we are usually on the scene long before they get there.