One important aspect of SORM’s Risk Assessment/Loss Prevention risk management review consultations is the issue of physical security. Specifically, the Risk Evaluation and Planning system includes questions pertaining to physical security as it impacts your agency.
One of the new subjects the questionnaire asks about is a Physical Vulnerability Survey. Such a survey should be done by each agency in order to arrive at a thorough and logical assessment of the physical security aspects of the area(s) it occupies. A Physical Vulnerability Survey may be done for the agency as a whole, or it may be done for each facility or location the agency occupies.
Shown below is a sample survey that may be used as a guide in order to conduct the survey.
State Agency:
Address:
Date:
LEVEL I:Survey and estimate of Physical Security/Workplace Violence potential in the greater area, e.g., East Gotham City, Kent County.
Consider:
Prominent Types of Businesses
Socio-Economic Profile
Overall Crime Rate
Violent Crime Rate
Ratio of: Private-Public-Commercial Property
Presence of Gangs and Gang Related Activities
Overall Rating: Very Low / Low / Average / Moderately High / High
LEVEL II:Survey and Estimate of Physical Security/Workplace Violence potential in the immediate area (within four blocks each direction from the building(s) to be leased).
Consider:
Specific types of businesses in the area
Ratio: Private-Public-Commercial properties
Special entities in area, e.g., Halfway House, Bail/Bond office, Probation facility
On or adjacent to designated Hazardous Cargo (HC) route
Walk-in traffic: Low / Moderate / High
Police Station / Fire Station in area
Number of fires reported from this area last year
Overall Rating: Very Low / Low / Average / Moderately High / High
LEVEL III:Survey and Estimate of Physical Security/Workplace Violence potential within the building (complex) area.
Consider:
Size/shape of parking lot(s)
Outside lighting on building(s) and in parking lot(s) and walkways – automatic on/off
View unobstructed from parking to building entrances
Area secured by fencing
Access control to parking
Security personnel present / armed or unarmed
Building(s) abuts high-speed roadway
Open 24 hours/day or other hours
Number of building entrances from parking lot and walkways
Electronic security on outer doors
Roof access from exterior / interior
Overall Rating: Very Low / Low / Average / Moderately High / High
Countermeasures Required
Personnel:
Hardware:
Software:
LEVEL IV:Survey and Estimate of Physical Security/Workplace Violence potential in agency’s portion of the building(s).
Consider:
Keypad or card entry on all entry doors
Intrusion detection
Fire safety (extinguishers, sprinklers, alarm system, smoke detectors)
Closed-circuit TV
Interior lighting
Emergency lighting
Entry/exit electronically controlled
Reception area – access
Security personnel needed – armed/ unarmed
Boiler/Riser/Electrical room in area or adjacent
Skylights present – protected
Overall Rating: Very Low / Low / Average / Moderately High / High
Countermeasures Required
Personnel:
Hardware:
Software:
Physical Security / Workplace Violence History – Latest Five Year Period
Type Incident:
Date:
Outcome:
Emergency Responders Available
Type:
Response Time:(Approximate)
On-site Security
City Police
EMS
Fire Department
County Sheriff Department
Dept of Public Safety
Other (__________)
Photos of Building Complex and Building(s) Occupied by Agency
Note: Attach photos of all four views of the building complex or building to be occupied.
