// New Contract for First Security
By SQNLDR Pete Cain
How would you like to have operated the main gate barrier at Ohakea, Whenuapai or Hobsonville for 12 hours on Christmas Day?
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Chances are, its probably not high on your list of personal priorities. Fortunately, if you are a uniformed member of the RNZAF, the likelihood of you having to perform this task is relatively low, thanks to the personnel of First Security. First (formerly known as Chubb) provide the bulk of manpower for security guard services at Base Auckland and Ohakea. It is an unglamorous but critically important task which spares RNZAF personnel from at least 42,000 hours of security guarding duties, day and night, in all weather, 365 days per year.
Security guard services must be effective and efficient. They must be effective to ensure that access to bases and facilities is properly controlled – those who are entitled to access receive it without undue delay; and those who aren’t entitled to access are denied it. Efficient service is necessary to avoid wastage of manpower and financial resources that could be used on other aspects of Air Force operations.
In order to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of security guard services at Base Auckland and Ohakea, OSGHQ and First are implementing a radically new concept, called a Performance Based Contract. Essentially, it means that First will be offered a “financial carrot” to encourage superior performance and a “financial stick” to discourage unsatisfactory performance. It’s a simple idea that has been made possible thanks to the co-operation of First staff and the expertise of WGCDR Pete Fitness and Ms Rosemary Fletcher.
They key to the success of the Performance Based Contract is the idea of “Partnership”, which implies a shared responsibility to achieve the best possible security situation. Every single member of the RNZAF has a role to play in the new Partnership – ensuring that First receive the co-operation they need from the RNZAF to be able to do their job. Here are a few points which, if applied by all, will assist First to perform their duties effectively:
- When you need to collect or return keys, make sure that you park your car in a designated car park and don’t just stop your vehicle in the entry or exit lane.
- When entering Base, stop your car and make sure that all occupants clearly display their ID cards at head height, without waiting to be asked.
- If you arrange for visitors to Base, make sure that you know and carry out your responsibilities for notification, identification, briefing and escorting of your guests.
- Treat First personnel with respect – they are sparing you from a mundane duty and it makes their 12 hour shift a lot more tolerable if people are polite to them.
The new Performance Based Contract will, if conducted in a Partnership manner, be good news for the RNZAF as it will enable First to provide an effective and efficient security guard service at Base Auckland and Ohakea.