Last Updated on March 26, 2025 by James R. Cole

In every workplace, various types of critical incidents can occur unexpectedly. These incidents may pose threats to life, property, and daily operations.

While each organization will define what is considered critical or non-critical based on its structure and activities, every security officer needs to understand how to recognize and respond to a critical incident example.

If you want to learn how your company defines a critical incident, refer to the site’s security policy or emergency procedures manual. This lesson focuses on the most common critical incident example situations and provides guidelines on how to deal with them efficiently.

Critical Incident Example on Site and Response Guidelines

1. Suspicious Behavior

• Immediate Action: Report to the control room
• Provide:
  • Exact location
  • Description of the person(s)
  • Details of the suspicious activity
• Continue to:
  • Maintain visual contact
  • Observe and report further activity
  • Record notes in your personal security notebook
  • Escalate based on behavior (report, engage, or contact police)
• Aftermath:
  • Submit a detailed incident report

2. Hazardous Substance Exposure

• Assess the risk: Identify the type of substance and establish a safety zone
• Report: Notify the control room
• Respond:
  • Try to contain if trained and safe
  • Otherwise, await trained hazardous material personnel
• Documentation:
  • Record the event in your notebook
  • Submit a full incident report

3. Intrusion Alarms

• Initial Check:
  • Verify alarm location
  • Silence the alarm
• Verify Intrusion:
  • CCTV or direct inspection
• If Intrusion Confirmed:
  • Call police
  • Locate intruder(s)
  • Protect critical assets or areas
• If No Intruder Found:
  • Search the area
  • Check for theft, damage, or evidence
  • Secure the breach point and await police
• Final Step:
  • Submit a complete incident report

4. Fire Emergency

• Raise the Alarm: Alert everyone
• Guide Evacuation:
  • Use clear, calm directions
  • Use designated escape routes
• Assist:
  • People with disabilities or other needs
  • Search all areas and shut doors/windows
• Assembly Point:
  • Conduct a roll call
  • Prevent people from leaving until cleared
• Support Firefighters: Ensure access and assistance
• Documentation: Record and report the incident

5. Armed Attack

• Report immediately: Location, number of attackers, direction
• Delay Attackers:
  • Lock doors and access points
  • Barricade internal areas if possible
• Monitor & Assist:
  • Keep the control room updated
  • Provide first aid only if safe
• After Threat Neutralized:
  • Assist police and medics
  • Control scene and preserve evidence
  • Provide witness statements
• Complete the Process: File a detailed report

6. Medical Emergency

• Immediate Response: Administer first aid
• Alert Control Room: Request emergency support
• Continue Care: Until medical professionals arrive
• Handover: Explain situation, condition, and treatment given
• Documentation: Notebook entry and formal report

7. Bomb Threat

• If Received by Phone:
  • Stay calm; don’t hang up
  • Get as much information as possible
  • Signal a colleague for help
  • Fill in the bomb threat checklist
  • Call the police
• If Received in Writing or by Email:
  • Report immediately to the police
  • Handle physical notes carefully as evidence
  • Don’t delete email messages

8. Suspicious Package or Device

• What to Look For:
  • No return address
  • Strange smells or sounds
  • Stains or suspicious labeling
  • Unexpected deliveries
• What to Do:
  • Assess risk and move people away to a safe distance
  • Inform the control room using a runner or landline (avoid radios/mobile near device)
  • Create a security cordon
  • Record:
  • Object description (type, size, location)
  • Discovery circumstances
• Wait for Police: Maintain cordon until they declare area safe
• Final Step: File an incident report

Conclusion:

Security guards must be alert and responsive to a variety of critical incident example situations. Whether it’s suspicious behavior, a fire, or a bomb threat, preparedness can prevent serious harm.

The examples listed above are among the most common types of incidents that may occur at a site, and each one requires a specific, trained approach.

Understanding these critical incident examples and knowing how to handle them are key parts of a security officer’s duty. Always follow your site’s policies, report all incidents properly, and never underestimate the importance of your role in workplace safety.

• You may be interested to learn more apart from;
• Criticle Incident Example and Response procidure
• Dealing with procedure violence at work 
• Advanced Security Course
• Basic security course