Security guards may support emergency procedures, but the role must follow the site’s plan, lawful authority, training and the direction of emergency services.
At a glance
- Ontario training expects guards to recognize emergency conditions, understand site procedures and support scene management.
- The site’s emergency plan and organizational requirements should guide the response.
- Professional conduct and personal safety remain relevant during emergencies.
What this means in practice
The official rules establish a baseline, but a workable security assignment still needs property-specific decisions. The client and provider should turn general requirements into clear instructions about what is checked, who can authorize exceptions, what must be documented and when another authority takes over.
Questions to confirm
- What emergency duties are actually assigned to security?
- Who has authority to order evacuation or lock-down actions?
- How will emergency services be given access and information?
Picture this at your property
A fire alarm activates during an overnight shift. The guard should follow the property’s approved emergency procedure, notify the required contacts and support emergency access rather than inventing a response on the spot.
The value of the example is the decision process: identify what is known, what remains uncertain, who has authority, and what information should be preserved for follow-up.
Practical takeaway
The strongest security process is usually the one that makes responsibilities, observations and escalation clear. That creates a service that can be understood and reviewed without overstating what security can guarantee.
Official sources & verification
1. Section 6: Emergency response preparation — Government of Ontario
2. Section 3: Basic security procedures — Government of Ontario
3. O. Reg. 363/07: Code of Conduct — Ontario e-Laws
Last reviewed: 2026-08-08. This resource provides general information, not an emergency plan or legal advice. Follow the site’s approved emergency procedures and directions from police, fire, EMS or other competent authorities. Call 911 for an emergency or immediate threat.