Generic emergency knowledge is not enough. Guards need to know the property’s exits, contacts, alarm systems, assembly areas, hazards and escalation procedures.
At a glance
- Ontario security training emphasizes following the emergency response plan for the specific site.
- Ontario’s Fire Code creates minimum fire-safety requirements for buildings and facilities.
- Health-and-safety training also requires awareness of hazards and safe work procedures.
Use this as a planning checklist
A checklist is useful only when the answers become part of the actual assignment. Record the approved process, identify who can change it and make sure the people providing coverage can access the current version.
Questions to confirm
- Where are emergency exits and access routes?
- Which systems can the guard operate and which require qualified personnel?
- Who must be called for each type of emergency?
Picture this at your property
A guard transfers to a new property but only receives the old site’s emergency contacts. A site-specific briefing should happen before relying on that guard during an actual emergency.
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
Use the questions above before coverage starts or when the current process is being reviewed. If an answer is unclear, make the responsibility explicit in the site instructions rather than leaving it to individual interpretation.
Official sources & verification
1. Section 6: Emergency response preparation — Government of Ontario
2. Fire safety legislation and Ontario’s Fire Code — Government of Ontario
3. Section 5: Health and safety — Government of Ontario
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.