By Emily Eades
Five long-time employees serving the Orange County Convention Center’s (OCCC) Security Division were recognized for their recent heroic actions at the Center by the Greater Orlando Chapter of American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) International. Security Supervisor Charles Young, and Security Representatives Urbane Caleb, Robert Estevez, Jason Norfleet, and Gerry Nunez received the 2022 SOAR (Security Officer Awards and Recognition) Award in the Critical Incident Category during an award ceremony on May 26.
The ASIS International SOAR Awards recognize leaders in the security field for a wide range of achievements, including giving back to the community, outstanding service and life-saving decisions. Founded in 1955, ASIS International is a global community of security practitioners who have a role in the protection of assets, people, and property.
“It is with great pride that I recognize these five members of our Security Division staff,” said
OCCC Security Director Isiah White. “Each security officer, whether supervisor or front line, were involved in a first aid and life-safety incident at the OCCC. Their training and commitment to safety and security at the OCCC ensured they could maintain situational control until first responders arrived.”
Each award recipient has dedicated at least five years with the OCCC Security Division. The awards recognized two scenarios where teamwork and quick thinking made a major impact.
· Charles Young recently assisted a contract service employee who was suffering a medical emergency. Jason Norfleet activated the automated external defibrillator (AED) on the employee while Robert Estevez and Gerry Nunez conducted crowd control measures while Young and Norfleet attended to the contract service employee. The four security team members worked together until paramedics arrived.
· Urbane Caleb performed CPR on a contracted decorator who was suffering a medical emergency until paramedics arrived. Caleb’s actions served a critical role in saving the decorator’s life.
The OCCC Security team’s mission is to provide a safe and friendly environment for guests at the OCCC, while maintaining 24-hour security, overseeing all public areas, concourses, back-of-house areas, parking lots, and exterior grounds.
Additionally, the OCCC maintains an excellent partnership with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) and several federal law enforcement agencies. The OCSO assigns deputies to the OCCC regularly.
Ensuring guest and employee safety is a cornerstone of security operations at the OCCC. The Center’s leadership team congratulates award recipients for their dedication and for their commitment to keeping guests and employees safe.
Emily Eades is Public Relations/Information Officer | Marketing & Communications at the Orange County Convention Center.
