Security training plan for building service workers.

The Realty Advisory Board, Real Estate Board of NY and the Service Employee International Union Local 32BJ today unveiled an innovative labor-management security training program for 28,000 residential building service personnel.

The program, called New York Safe & Secure, is designed to provide workers with security awareness and emergency coordination skills in post-9/11 New York.

The joint announcement came at a press conference attended by Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly who expressed support for training that would enhance New York City's capacity to better identify potential threats and cope with emergencies.

New York Safe and Secure, which is being financed by Building Service 32BJ Thomas Shortman Training Fund, will train the 28,000 building service workers in 3,500 New York City residential buildings.

The program was developed with technical assistance from the Office of Emergency Management, John Jay College for Criminal Justice, NY Police Academy and Counter-Terrorism Bureau and The Fire Department of New York.

The New York Safe & Secure curriculum provides four hours of security awareness training for doormen, porters, concierges, resident managers and building superintendents. Training includes spotting suspicious people or packages and coordinating with the police and fire departments.

"Local 32BJ and the real estate industry have come together in an innovative way to strengthen the city's first responder network," said James Berg, President of the Realty Advisory Board. "This program demonstrates the seriousness with which this industry views issues of security and tenant safety."

"New Yorkers have seen that, time and again, their own doormen and maintenance workers rise to the occasion when called upon in an emergency." said Michael Fishman, President of the SE1U Local 32BJ.

"They know from first-hand experience that their building service workers are more than willing to step up during a crisis."

Four building management companies--Brown, Harris and Stevens, Glenwood Management Corporation, Rudin Management Corporation and Orsid Reality Corporation--have already begun to take advantage of New York Safe & Secure by scheduling employee training sessions.

One year is the estimated time frame for completing the residential training sessions which depends, in part, on participation from other management companies and program funding. The New York State Hazard Abatement Board has provided a $100,000 grant in support of the New York Safe & Secure training program. "Today, more than ever, New York City residents depend on building service personnel to be their eyes and ears and to protect their families and homes," said Steven Spinola, President of the Real Estate Board of New York. "New York Safe & Secure provides tenants with an added degree of safety."