NIVERSAL NEWS

Four Strong Divisions, One Expert Voice

Residential Fire Safety
According to the National Fire Protection Association, residential res are more prevalent during the winter. While these res pose a great risk to your safety and security, they can be avoided with proper re safety practices.

Keep ammable objects such as

potholders and paper towels away from cooking equipment it immediately; regularly place your hand near electrical outlets to check for excess heat and always unplug appliances when not in use

If using kerosene heaters, ensure

If you see a damaged cord replace

there is proper ventilation and do not ll the heater while it is in operation screen in front to prevent jumping embers and make sure any ashes are completely out before going to sleep or leaving home. Place any hot ashes in a metal container outdoors and leave any repairs to qualied specialists

Do not plug electric heaters into

When using a replace, keep a

extension cords, keep them away from combustible materials and turn them off when not you are not in the room means of keeping you and your family safe. Have an escape route in place, hold practice re drills and teach your children the importance of stop, drop, and roll. Regularly test your smoke alarms and inspect re extinguishers

Creating a disaster plan is the best

Inspect utility closets, electrical

panels and other areas where res commonly start. Store chemicals such as paint, aerosol cans and kerosene in proper containers and away from the sides of your home or entryways

Have your furnace inspected yearly

Universal Services of America Named One of Orange County Registers Top Workplaces
Universal Services of America recently placed within the Orange County Registers Top Workplaces list. The Top Workplaces 2011 award recognizes leading workplaces in Orange County and is given based on surveys from company employees. Over 800 local companies were asked to participate in the event, but only 75 of those companies made the nal list. Universal Services of America placed sixth in the Large Company category. Employees were asked to rate their companies based on categories such as fairness, exibility, benets and values. Companies with excellent communication and respect for their employees topped the list. Universal knows employees are the cornerstone to their continued success and views them as their most valuable assets. Universals benets, training programs, contests and prot-sharing plans are all part of the packages their employees receive. The Orange County Registers Top Workplaces of 2011 award is an honor that Universal Services of America is proud to accept. To read additional news from Universal, visit http://www.universal1965.com.

In celebration of the holiday season and as a gift for their clientele, Universal Services of America donated to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in order to help fund pediatric cancer research. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer center where families never pay for uninsured treatments and no child is turned away due to lack of money. The research and care at St. Jude are shared with doctors around the world, so that children in communities everywhere will benet from their lifesaving work. 4th Quarter Client Newsletter, 2011 Page 1

NIVERSAL NEWS
Four Strong Divisions, One Expert Voice
Elevator Safety Tips
While elevators have proven to be a very safe way of transporting both people and merchandise, occasionally malfunctions do occur. Common problems can include elevators that do not correctly align with the oor, doors that do not open or close properly, stopping between oors or stopping altogether and entrapping occupants. Please read over the following safety tips to help ensure your safety and knowledge regarding proper elevator use. When you approach the elevator: Stand aside for exiting passengers If the elevator is already full, wait for the next car Do not attempt to stop a closing door Use the stairs, not an elevator, if there is a re in the building When you enter and exit the elevator: Step up or down if the elevator and hall oors are not level with one another Hold children and pets rmly Stand clear of the doors, and keep your clothing and any carryon items away from the opening When riding on the elevator: Stand back from the doors and hold the handrail Pay attention to the oor indications If you nd yourself in an elevator that has become stuck:

Push the DOOR OPEN button; if that does not work then If the elevator is equipped with one, use the emergency Do not attempt to force the doors open Never try to leave the car on your own, as this could Remain calm: there is sufcient oxygen in an elevator and
the interior is designed for your safety result in serious injury telephone to summon help ring the elevator alarm

Universal Management Team Busts Major Theft Ring at Client Warehouse

During November our client contact at a distribution warehouse in California contacted Universal Protection Service, and requested assistance in solving an internal theft problem. The contact advised Steve Merkler, Service Manager for Universal Protection Service, that he had received information that furniture was being sold out of the Customer Pick Up area without the distribution warehouse beneting from the sales. The client contact told Merkler that an unnamed employee was manipulating the inventory control, setting up false sales receipts and giving the receipt to an outside source. That outside source would then pick up the furniture, meet the unnamed employee off site and exchange money for the furniture. The third party would then sell the furniture and keep the cash proceeds. The client contact became aware of this when the unnamed employee began enlisting the help of coworkers, who in turn approached the client contact. The client contact enlisted our help by requesting someone from our ofce, who was not known by any of the employees, to act as a middle man, pick up the furniture with a false receipt and exchange it for cash at the store with the suspect. Once the cash for the furniture was exchanged, the police would be notied and an arrest would be made. Universal agreed to help our client and selected Universal Protection Service Operations Manager Jose Hernandez to act as the pick-up man. At the beginning of December, we were contacted and advised to make the deal. Furniture was taken from the store, manipulated through the computer system and a false bill of sale was produced. Hernandez picked up the furniture in a rented truck and all applicable parties were arrested without incident by the police department. Our security professionals acted as back up and assisted the police in making the arrests. It was later revealed that this operation has been ongoing for two years and that the distribution warehouse had lost in excess of $400,000 in merchandise through this scam. The management of the warehouse was very grateful and expressed their thanks for the help Universal Protection Service provided them in solving this theft.

4th Quarter Client Newsletter, 2011

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NIVERSAL NEWS
Four Strong Divisions, One Expert Voice
Universal Protection Service and Security Forces Employees Advance Their Careers
In order to stay ahead in their eld, many professionals in the security industry have opted to get their Certied Protection Professional (CPP) or Physical Security Professional (PSP) certication from ASIS International. The ASIS CPP program is given to individuals in security management who have demonstrated advanced knowledge in security solutions and business practices. The ASIS PSP program is given to individuals in physical security who demonstrate in-depth operational knowledge and competence in conducting physical security surveys, designing integrated security systems, or installing, operating or maintaining those systems. Both these designations, Board Certied in Security Management and Board Certied Physical Security Professional, are highly respected throughout the world. At Universal Protection Service, Security Forces, Inc. and SFI Electronics, Inc. a number of individuals have received these highly sought after certications. Below is what some of them have to say about the programs: The ASIS CPP designation is something that every professional in our industry should strive for. The knowledge that I gained is something that I use every day. Through studying to become a CPP, you gain an understanding of the entire security process and philosophy. Nick Kaczor, CPP, Security Director This certication is an acknowledgement of my experience and education in the security management eld and has been very helpful, as it keeps me ahead of the pack. I highly recommend anyone looking to benet their future to obtain the CPP certication. Gary Hamamoto, CPP, Director of Security These designations reect both the level of effort on my part and the established body of knowledge required, as prescribed by ASIS. Our industry has a core body of knowledge and Im always excited to learn more about every aspect of it. Security never rests, nor does our quest to be on the leading edge of knowledge to enhance our service levels Tony Quadri, CPP, PSP, Field Training Manager It was immediately applicable to the things I was doing in my day to day job. Not only did I learn a lot that I was able to use right away, it also gives me a place to go to refresh my memory if I need to sharpen my skills in a certain area. Jeff Ellis, CPP, Security Manager Congratulations to the following company employees who have attained a CPP or a PSP certication:

Pat Curran, CPP, District Manager, Security Forces, Inc., Asheboro, NC Ogle Damron, CPP, District Manager, Security Forces, Inc., Spartanburg, SC Jeff Ellis, CPP, Director of Security, Universal Protection Service, San Francisco, CA Martin Fellbaum, CPP, Branch Manager, Universal Protection Service, Los Angeles, CA Gary Hamamoto, CPP, Director of Security, Universal Protection Service, Glendale, CA Nick Kaczor, CPP, Security Director, Universal Protection Service, Los Angeles, CA Jean Marc-Bohin, CPP, Division Manager, Universal Protection Service, San Francisco, CA Tony Quadri, CPP, PSP, Field Training Manager, Universal Protection Service, Denver, CO Roy Rahn, CPP, Vice President, Universal Protection Service, Santa Ana, CA Paul Sova, CPP, Regional Vice President, Security Forces, Inc., Greenville, SC Tom Warner, PSP, SFI Electronics, Inc., Duncan, SC Michael Weldrick, CPP, Corporate Training/Safety Manager, Security Forces, Inc., Wilmington, NC Geoff Craighead, CPP, Vice President, Universal Protection Service, Santa Ana, CA

To learn more about these programs or become certied, visit http://www.asisonline.org/certication/index.xml

While a convenient method for keeping warm, space heaters can become dangerous if not cared for properly. According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), portable heating equipment is the second leading cause of structure res. Before allowing the use of space heaters in their building, property managers should check with their local re inspector to nd out whether such appliances are approved for use in their area. Those responsible for closing the building should have a listing of the location of each heating appliance and inspect them as part of the building closing procedure. The inspection should ensure that the appliance works properly, combustible materials are not touching or close to the appliance and any appliances not necessary for building protection are turned off. If the facility has security ofcers, they should also have a listing of each heating appliance and should check each appliance during their rounds.

4th Quarter Client Newsletter, 2011

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NIVERSAL NEWS
Four Strong Divisions, One Expert Voice
Who we are:
Brian Cescolini Chairman/Co-CEO Universal Services of America Steve Jones Co-CEO/COO Universal Services of America Steve Claton President Universal Protection Service Mark Olivas President Universal Building Maintenance Louis Boulgarides Senior Vice President Universal Protection Security Systems

Detecting Potentially Violent Behavior in the Workplace

Over the past few months there have been many reports in the news of shooting incidents. Universal Services of America has become concerned with the recent increase of violent behavior against employers and coworkers. Economic crisis, high unemployment rates and nancial uncertainty has increased the risk of violent crimes, especially when associated with the workplace. These incidents of violence only serve to highlight the tensions between employer, coworkers and employees in an unstable market. According to the FBIs National Center for Analysis and Violent Crime, the majority of the U.S. workforce does not recognize the warning signs of potentially violent behavior. Workplace violence is dened as any action that may threaten the safety of an employee, impact an employee's physical or psychological well-being, or cause damage to company property. An effective workplace violence prevention program includes training all employees on what signs to look for and how to communicate such information to appropriate company ofcials. As an employer, there are several precautions you should take to prevent aggressive behavior in your workspace, including instituting policies and procedures for detecting and handling violent situations. These could include conducting training on threat assessment, long-term security and alternative dispute resolution. Some additional proactive measures you may consider include installing metal detectors, bullet-proof glass, closed-circuit cameras or entrance controls in certain parts of the building. Employers and employees must work together in order to address the signicant problem of workplace violence, thus having a better chance of decreasing the propensity of which it occurs. If you would like copies of our Workplace Violence Desk Reference Guide, please contact your local Universal representative.

Natasha Ganes Public Relations Specialist, Editor Universal Services of America Graphic design by: Spina Design

Workplace Violence Red Flags Unreasonable: they constantly make slighting references and blame others for their problems, are rarely happy about what is going on and are consistently unreasonable

Angry: they have many hate and anger issues with

coworkers, family, friends or the government

Controlling: they consider themselves to be superior, with

a compulsive need to always force their opinion on and control others

Violent: they applaud and demonstrate an uncomfortable

fascination with violent acts portrayed in the media, such as racial incidences, domestic violence, shooting sprees, executions, etc or "one of these days I'll get even"

Paranoid: they believe their employer, boss, other

employees and neighbors are out to get them, are convinced there is a conspiracy to all functions of society, and are essentially paranoid may own rearms and have an overly high interest in the military, law enforcement or underground military groups behavior; faults or mistakes are always someone else's others, including their employer

Vindictive: they make statements such as, "he will get his" Odd: they may be good at what they do, paying close
attention to details, but they lack people skills. Their presence makes others uncomfortable

Weapons enthusiast with military/police xation: they Irresponsible: they don't take responsibility for their

Unhealthy: they may begin to appear unclean or demon

strate poor hygiene, experience sleep disorders, fatigue, sudden weight loss/gain or other health-related problems. They may be addicted to alcohol and/or drugs

Litigious: they continually threaten legal action against

4th Quarter Client Newsletter, 2011

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