Liberia: JFK Trains, Capacitates 59 Security Guards

The John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) Memorial Medical Center has upgraded not only the training but also the uniform and logistical support to its security guards.

At the commissioning ceremonies of 59 security guards held in the open field on the hospital campus, Dr. Jerry F. Brown, chief executive officer (CEO) of JFK lauded his deputies and all partners for standing with him in ensuring that uniformity is restored to the dress code of the security personnel.

Brown said he has been bothered over the time since he took over as head of JFK that security guards were always on duty without any physical identification.

“From the time we took over at JFK, this has been troubling us. This is why we have worked hard with our partners to make this a dream come true.  We want to urge you to use the uniform and all other materials wisely,” he admonished the guards.

According to Brown, uniform brings distinction and helps deter crimes.

“Whenever Police officers or our nurses and doctors put on their respective uniforms, one thing it brings to mind is recognition. People tend to recognize you as a professional individual. When people come to hospital or a clinic and see nurses in uniform, they feel a sense of hope that there are people to care for them. This is what we want from you,” he indicated.

Brown continued that both employees and patients at JFK will always feel calm, knowing that there are uniformed security officers not only manning the gates but also serving as loving ushers to both patients and their caregivers.

Dr. Dama Yeskeson-Koffa, deputy chief executive officer of JFK, was thrilled that the hospital will no longer have non-uniformed security guards protecting them.

She informed the guards that each of them has to be an agent of first positive impression for all visitors to JFK for medical care or other important reasons.

“When people come through our gates, the way you welcome them, the way you speak to them, tells a lot about who we are as a people here,” Dr. Koffa said.

She said the need for better customer service delivery at JFK is paramount and, knowing that people who visit the medical center have first interaction with security guards before meeting healthcare providers means that security guards must be trained and professional people who never cease to showcase love, respect and empathy.

For Emmanuel Johns, general supervisor of all duty posts at both JFK’s main compound and the ES Grant Mental Health Center, value has been added to their service and he is confident that he and his colleagues will perform up to expectation.

Samuelia W. Williams, one of the six female officers, said having six females, compared to fifty three men, is a huge gender gap but calls on women to take advantage of opportunities when they are available.

 Williams said she has been working as a security guard at JFK since 2017 but had not had the opportunity to access uniform or boots, until now.