Reviewed by: Mayer Nudell, CSC

At first glance, Silent Universal Signals for Public Safety and Education Professionals may not seem like a publication appropriate for reviewing in a magazine oriented toward private security professionals. However, once one remembers just how often the public and private security professions intersect, it is clear that this is a publication that both should read.

Silent Universal Signals is the brain child of Bob Dent, a retired Oregon State Police trooper, who collaborated with a retired U.S. Navy SEAL, Commander (ret) Alan Morris, in putting together what is essentially a field manual formatted for easy carrying in a pocket in the glove compartment of a car. Both its size, its spiral binding, and its laminated covers were calculated for ease of use, durability, and portability. The manual contains thousands of visual and auditory signals for use in communicating between pubic safety, security, and educational officials in an emergency.

In pulling together this manual, the authors relied not only on their own experiences, but also made use of the experience of over 100 security, education, military, law enforcement, firefighting, government, and other professionals to create a compilation of what can become a standardized group of emergency signals. This is an important accomplishment in an area that has been fragmented to date-sometimes resulting in operational mis-communication when multiple organizations respond to a situation. Just as common radio frequencies are important in such instances, so too must signals be standardized to ensure that all understand what is being communicated promptly. Silent Universal Signals also contains hundreds of photographs and illustrations to amplify and describe the signals it includes.

This is a book that has applicability to a wider audience than its name suggests. Most of the signals it contains can be used in any emergency situation where military, security and/or law enforcement professionals may be called upon to operate. Its contents will also be helpful in daily situations in such areas as correction, court security, and personal protection-to name just a few. It is well worth its cost.
 

Mayer Nudell, CSC
Specialized Consulting Services
Arlington, Virginia, USA
+1-703-524-6833 <> Fax +1-703-524-7022
http://www.speconsult.com