The Three "Sees" (From: A Detailed Account of a Short Security Career)

Security Training
My goal was to get a Fire Guard certification and a New York State Security License.  I didn't know that when I went into this, but it turns out that was my goal.  I had to take a class for the Fire Guard certification that was supposed to be two hours long, but lasted around 45 minutes.  I thought that meant my class was pretty smart and we just breezed through the material.  What it meant was that the instructor could read the book fast and skip whole sections.  When we were dismissed, I received a certificate of completion and a letter stating that I worked for Some Company somewhere.  The next step was to go to Brooklyn and take a test.  After I paid my $25 test fee, and passed the test, I would receive the same day, a photo ID card stating I was a certified Fire Guard for the City of New York.  We were told we could take the test Monday through Friday and the place opened at 8:30am.  This was the best time to go because it is first come-first serve.

I went one day,  and got all the way to Brooklyn and realized that I had cleaned out my bag, and did not have the necessary letter stating I worked for Some Company, so I could take the test.  By the time I got home, it would have been too late to take the test that day.  I went back another day, to find the building, the front door, and....a metal detector and x-ray machine.  They take the security very seriously at the NYC Fire Headquarters.  Nevermind why,  just know I couldn't go that day either.  Third time was a charm.  I entered the building and got a number.  A120.  They were on A97, so I thought, "This won't be too long."  Turns out A wasn't the only series of numbers.  In between the A numbers, they were calling B and C series numbers as well.  I settled in for a long autumn nap.  Soon enough,  my number was called.  The lady at window 7 reviewed my application and documents and then told me to have a seat.  My number was called again.  I went to window 9 to have my picture taken.  And sat down.  My number was called again, and I went to window 14 to pay my fee.  Can you guess?  I went and sat down.  A fourth time, my number came up, and I entered door number 3.  I was assigned a computer and told to put my bag and belongings under the desk.  I sat at computer number 2 and logged in.  I answered question after question and at question 20 it said "End of Exam."  I was in the testing room for less than 20 minutes.  There were 35 questions on the practice test.  I was sure there was some mistake.  I reviewed my answers, pressed the Submit button, received my score of 100%, and went back out to sit.  And wait.  They called my name shortly, and I got my ID card.

What is a Fire Guard?  At various times, certain parts of the fire alarm system may be out of order, either for maintenance, repairs, or it's just broke.  Sprinklers may be offline, alarms, any part of the fire suppression system in a building can be offline for some reason.  During these times, a person has to patrol the building to see if there are any issues.  Smoke,  fire, debris in a means of egress, whatever the problem can be, someone needs to be able to report it.  That's what I am now certified to do.  I can check for fires in buildings in NYC.

The "customer service" training I received was in a building in Brooklyn.  When the first thing they tell you is what to do after the class to get your Security License, it doesn't take but most of that day to realize you've been bamboozled.  I sat through three days of lecture by a guy who had once been in the field.  It was informative and interesting, but mostly forgettable.  When we came back  from lunch on day three, a certificate of completion was waiting for me.

The next step was to get fingerprinted and submit the receipt for that with my application for a security license.  The application required the number from my  New York State driver's license.  Since I don't live in New York, I would need to get a New York State ID.  Yes, you can get an ID without living in New York.  Strange, but true.  Fingerprinting was easy.  I set an appointment and paid online.  I went to the place,  and they did it all electronically.  All I had to do was find my birth certificate and some other documentation and I could go to the NY State DMV and get my state ID.  Of course, I could not find that, so I had to send away to Lapeer County, MI for it, and wait another 10 days for it to arrive in the mail.  In the meantime, I talked to my mom on the phone, and found out she had a copy that she could mail me in a much shorter time.  She did, and I went to the DMV the day I received it in the mail.

A Day at the DMV

I had all of my paperwork in order-certified copy of my birth certificate, NJ driver's license,  Social Security Card, a piece of mail showing my address, and a credit card as a final piece of identification. I walked right up to the counter where the smiling lady asked how she could help me.  (It was still early in the day.)   I told her I needed a photo with a number attached, so I could put that number on my application for a security license. But while I was in front of her I asked, just for clarification, "I saw on the website that I could get a New York State ID.  Is this true even if I live in New Jersey?"  She said it was true as if this is true in any state. I've never tried to get just an ID card before-always a driver's license. Maybe it is possible anywhere...who knows?  Anyway, she gave me a form to fill out and told me to bring it back when I was done. Again, I walked right up to her and handed her my form and my pile of paperwork. I was going to be in and out in no time....at the DMV....in NYC. Easy!

She checked my form and said she didn't need my paperwork.  I had to go over there and get in line. There were two people in line and it was for a picture. How long could that possibly take?  Still easy.  Still fast.  I got to the front of the line and the gentleman took my paperwork.  He looked at the pile of ID I brought with me, including my birth certificate, made a few notes, then told me to stand back against the white background behind me.  He snapped a picture and gave me a number.  C85 this time.  They were calling C79 when I sat down.  This was going to be the quickest trip to the DMV ever!  But...they were calling A and B series numbers as well.  (As a side note, they do the same thing at the city wedding chapel, too.  I'm not sure what the letters in front of the numbers mean, but in Ohio when you pull number 2076 and they are on 91, you know you'll be there all day.  It's a bit deceptive in New York.)  I plugged my phone into a wall outlet and pulled out a magazine to read while I waited.  I watched the numbers click by and soon realized that two agents to my right were assisting the C series people.  As I watched the numbers progress rather quickly, I gathered my stuff because I just knew I would be called next.  Then, Agent One got up and walked away.  I thought he was going to lunch and Agent Two would have to deal with the C people by herself.  Then, she got up and walked away.  Just before C83 was called!  Both apparently had a 10 minute break because they were back quickly....with a cup of Starbucks coffee.  Soon, I was called and went over to get my new New York State ID warm from the laminator.  It was not to be-all I was asked was if I wanted the ID for four years or eight.  I paid the fee for eight years, because if I don't have to do this again until 2021, I'm OK with that.  She gave me the number from the ID and told me my it would be mailed to my house in 3-4 weeks.  I thanked her and left.

From there, I went to the state office building to file my application for Unarmed Security Guard License.  No numbers.  No line.  Just wait for the next open window.  I gave her all of my paperwork for that and she told me I would have my security ID in 4-6 weeks.  Oh! The waiting!  I've heard the Army is all about "Hurry up and wait."  The same could be said of state bureaucracies.  McSomething told me it should only ake a week or two, so I just chalked that up to yet another one of his, how do we say...misrepresentations.  I waited until the end of the week and called the number for the state that I was given.  The man that answered asked when I filed my application and I told him it was about a week ago.  He told me that he would check and see if he had a license number for me, but that it usually took 4-6 weeks.  In a matter of seconds, he returned to the phone and said he did not have a number for me, and that I should call back in 4 weeks if I had not received my license in the mail.  This number I was asking for was the only thing standing between me and a job.  I surely was not going to wait four more weeks to call them again.  On a whim, I called the next Monday and was asked again when I filed the application.  I told her two weeks ago, and she said the same thing-she would check but that she didn't think there would be anything.  She returned moments later and said, "I do have a number here for you.  It's...."  I was for once, pleasantly surprised and elated that I could start work the very next day!
  

Three Anecdotes of Race Day
I received my Fire Guard certification, had a paper with my New York State ID number on it, had my NJ driver's license, and a number for my NY State Security License in my pocket when I went to interview and got the job with the New York City Marathon.  It was a one-day gig, but it was more money than I had seen in two months.  I had the actual security license and NYS ID days before the race, so I was able to qualify for the position.  It was a long day of checking bags and working with the NYPD to prevent unauthorized people from entering a restricted area.

The night before the race I met a guy and hung out with him for hours.  We talked about all kinds of things, but I remember one specific topic was my star-struck-dedness.  I told him I love to see stars of all kinds, but can never seem to actually recognize them.  As if to prove my point, the following day, one of the other guards told me that Alicia Keys along with Mr. Beats (her husband) and daughter came through our gate.  I didn't see them and wouldn't have known who they were if they bit me on the butt.  Nonetheless, I was in the presence of greatness.  I just didn't know it.  My lack of observation may not bode well for a long career in security, but I hoped the boss would overlook that.

I mentioned to one of the police officers that I was shocked at the number of old people barreling through the barricades.  They would enter the exit, or shoot through the bag check area, seemingly oblivious to the fact that security checks were going on.  When I stopped a couple of them, the lady responded, "We live on this street!"  I said that was great, but because of the marathon, they needed to have their bags checked and ID out, just like everyone else.  They complied, but not immediately.  It was almost as if they had nothing to live for, so who cares if they shot through a line of security and NYPD who would stop them?

Our shift ended at 6pm.  The later it got, the more lax security was.  It was getting late, and it was getting cold, and the majority of the runners had finished.  Around 5:30, a guy walked in and past the bag check.  A security guard (other than me) stopped him.  He said he worked in a building down the block.  He said, "That's OK, but we still need to check your bag."  The guy thought a second and said, "Nevermind." and turned around.  I have never seen a wall of blue materialize so fast.  Within seconds, eight cops had effectively cut him off from the exit, and one took his bag and began opening it on the table.  With a reaction like that, I wanted to see what he was trying to hide, and so did three other security guards I was working with.  The police officer dumped his bag on the table and pawed through it a bit, only to find.....his lunch and a couple dirty socks.  The officer packed up the bag, handed it back to the man, and waved him through.  The guy left eight cops and three security guards scratching their heads.

All in all, it was an interesting day.  I always wanted to go to the marathon, but could never drag myself out of bed early enough to get into the City and watch it.  Now I can say I have checked the marathon off my list.