Welcome to the New LCI Blog

Welcome to our upgraded, updated web site!  As we rise out of the stone ages…(it’s a tough climb)…and we  welcome your input.  We’ll be discussing current inventory happenings, new product news, client projects, people in the news, position openings, and more.

Home Again (for a little while)

Good to see old friends and meet new ones at the Smithsonian’s National Conference on Cultural Property Protection.  We appreciate the hospitality and professionalism of the Smithsonian leadership and staff throughout our stay.  IFCPP certified eighteen participants following our pre-conference workshop.    Thanks also to Mike Kirchner, CPP, CIPM II, CIPI and Bill Powers, CIPM II, CIPI for their excellent contributions as instructors in the CIPM program.   Our opening day presentation on “Training for Retention” received positive reviews.  We were also honored to participate in the Active Shooter panel discussion on the second day.   If you have concerns about either of these issues, please contact us for followup information.

In early March we’re off  for the Midwest Security Conference in Chicago where we’ll participate in a table-top exercise and program analysis.  MSC always does a great job in putting on a quality conference, and it’s not too late to get aboard.  Check out their web site for additional information.

Interested in officer certification?   We can bring the basic officer program to your site, or you may consider the video series available through IFCPP.   If it’s the management level program that you’re after, check out the IFCPP web site Training Calendar  for training opportunities.  CIPM programs will be offered at upcoming conferences in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.

Security Alert

Especially after the holidays, we feel it necessary to discuss a growing problem across the country, Home Invasion.  On the rise in almost every part of the country, this violent crime strikes in every neighborhood, daytime or nighttime, and leaves multiple victims, many of whom do not survive.

Whether this trend is attributed to the economy, an expansion of gang activity, or simply crimes of opportunity, the end results should not be ignored by anyone, or thought to only happen to people with criminal relations.

Home invasions have involved deception:
       Posing as delivery service
       Posing as lawn service
       Door to door solicitors
       Asking help for vehicle breakdown

They have also involved simple forced entry
       After ringing the bell or knocking
       Following victim in from driveway
       Waiting for vicitim in the garage

And too many other methods to list.  There are several recommended prevention measures, none of which are guarantees.  They include:
       Keeping doors and windows locked
       Installing motion lighting around the residence
       Keeping vehicles locked
       Install deadbolt locks on exterior doors
       Report all suspicious activity to police
       Not answer door for solicitors
       Telling children not to open the door for anyone
       Not giving any personal information on the phone
       Limiting information posed on facebook..especially in regard 
             to vacation or time away from home.
       Encouraging all forms of neighborhood watch

We wish you all the best in the coming season…please be alert, and be safe!

For the New Year

We’re just wrapping up the final touches to our Policies and Procedures Packet.  This is an extensive document which includes format, draft policies, and operational procedures which may be utilized by cultural properties and public facilities in their protection program planning.   Profits from the sale of this packet will go to St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital and the Make a Wish Foundation.   Orders will be accepted on line through this web site or through the IFCPP web site.  Packets will also be available at each of our upcoming conference appearances, including the Smithsonian Conference on Cultural Property Protection, Midwest Security Conference, AAM, and TFF.  Call Steve with questions about the packet, or send inquiries to Steve@LayneConsultants.com.

2010 Happenings

The New Year is upon us!  January activities include participation in BNI’s Business Expo (See In the News).  We’re also wrapping up publication of the Policy and Procedure packet, which will be available in written or digital format.  A portion of the proceeds go directly to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and Make a Wish Foundation.  In February, we’re off to Denver for presentation of the Basic Officer Training and Certification program at the Museum of Nature and Science.  It’s a full day workshop on February 12 and open to any institution in the area.  Contact Rob@IFCPP.org for information/registration.   Next up is the Smithsonian’s National Conference on Cultural Property Protection.  IFCPP leads off the show with a full day workshop and certification program for managers, supervisors and administrators.  We’ll be at the Marriott Crystal City in Arlington, VA, with the workshop scheduled for 8 am on Sunday, February 21.   On Monday, Steve Layne kicks off the conference with a presentation on Training for Retention.  Steve joins three other professionals for a panel discussion on response to active shooters on Tuesday.

In March, we join the Midwest Security Conference in Lisle, Illinois for their annual gathering of security and law enforcement professionals.  We’ll present the management certification program as a pre-conference workshop on March 8.   In April we visit client sites in several states, with on-going projects in Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Missouri, California, and New Mexico.  May brings us to Philadelphia for the TFM conference, followed by LA for AAM and another CIPM opportunity.  Stay tuned for more information abou t training opportunities and other upcoming special events.

Workplace Violence Prevention – Active Shooter Protection

No business or institution of any size is immune to the threat of violent attack, from within the organization, or planned outside intrusion. PREVENTION of most workplace violence incidents is possible, with careful planning and cooperation from employees, management, and outside agencies. This seminar is designed to provide a working outline for institutions and businesses of any size.

The concept is one of emergency preparedness, and analysis of the ability to respond to an incident.  Workshop participants will receive information about how to determine the organization’s state of readiness and how current manpower levels may be adjusted to deal with an emergency.  Program participants will learn how to protect life and property in the course of a planned intrusion, or the random explosive situation.

Emphasis is on prevention and life safety.  This workshop is designed as an active participation, problem-solving program that takes attendees through a step by step procedure to effectively prepare to deal with the potential for violence in a practical, cost-effective manner.  This program is not a lecture.  Workshop leaders will discuss and demonstrate proper methods of screening employees, defusing potentially violent situations, denying access to prohibited areas, identifying potential troublemakers, protecting patrons and staff, and responding to unplanned emergencies.

Emergency Preparedness

Smithsonian - Air & Space MuseumOur topical, nationally acclaimed program discussing recommended methods to reduce injury, loss of life, and loss of assets.  A national leader in emergency preparedness walks you through step-by-step procedures for assuring that necessary arrangements are in place to prepare any business or institution for dealing with emergency evacuations, transportation and protection of assets, working with emergency response agencies, and more.  This is a “how-to” session, dealing in very real scenarios and life-safety issues.  You’ll get “hands-on” information outlining what businesses of all size and scope need to know about dealing with critical incidents.  Using examples of actual events and the solutions that have been proven under fire, the presenter will demonstrate the proper methods for dealing with a variety of situations.  The session will also address the assignment of critical roles for staff, volunteers, and others, to assure that every floor of every building is properly evacuated when appropriate, and how to put into place a practical plan to deal with assembly areas, accountability of staff, and emergency service participation.