alarm technician

office administrator

sales manager

1st-Alarm-Security

The job itself is a typical security job however the level of trust for employees seems to be sorely lacking. Your job is threatened from day one and they seem to focus on a militaristic approach to security rather than a private security one. Be prepared to have surveillance on you as an officer from a cellphone which records your checks to cameras watching (and recording) your every move and word. Expect also management who will write employees up at the drop of a hat with little recourse (there are no verbal warnings). If a client thinks you blink wrong and mentions it in passing to the company you will be removed immediately from the site. By definition this is a hostile work environment. The hardest part of the job is not doing the job itself or the clients. It is dealing with the management (or lack therof). The most enjoyable part of the job...is getting off work.

I have worked for a couple security companies, and have interviewed with several. I will say, the culture and atmosphere all depends on the site and the people you work with. As for the company in general, no complaints. They provide good benefits after 90 days and the pay is above average comparing to other security companies. Now for upward movement, that also depends on the site. The site I used to work at had a strong leadership team, so the manager didn't let go of any supervisors in the past few years. If you want to jump into management of any security company, your best bet is to go into law enforcement, and then transfer into a security company after 5+ years. That is just my advice, seeing it from my perspective.

This is a pro and a con at the same time. The site that I worked at never laid off a security officer, even when they were late, or didn't do their job. So if you are affected by this, it may be a con, considering it reduces moral from everyone. One employee was so toxic to the point where a number of people who worked with him left the company after few weeks.

First Alarm is a really great experience. I gained a lot of receptionist skills from the different companies they would send me. The only thing is that I would like to work more hours. As I frequently ask them for more work. I preferably want a permeant full-time position. As in right now I will take anything. 
   
   My typical day at work would be different from relocated offices they would send me as a temp. Overall it was also security, patrolling buildings, cameras and badges. I have learned all types of duties from First Alarms experience compared from "West Coast Auto Body."
   
   I love the co-workers they were very friendly and welcoming. My most enjoyable part of the job is making employees and guests smile by greeting them as they come in or out of the building. I really felt as I had brightened their day. Employees would even come down just to conversant with me and I admired it.

I was hired for a mobile position, but I never took a driver's safety test for the company. In fact, I was specifically told "lets just SAY you watched the video and you can answer the questions". Luckily I'm a good driver and knew the common sense questions. I was given a truck, a list of "hits" and a time limit, and though I was never watched while working, there are video cameras that not only record audio and video, but it beeps at you and sends the company a message if you make too sharp a turn. 

Management didn't seem very willing to work with you, and there was a ton of miscommunication. I see a lot of ads for this company practically begging people to work, its just too bad they don't know how to treat people very well. If you're DESPERATE for work, sure go ahead. But if you want to feel appreciated at work, or even that the work you do matters, this isn't the place for you

In a typical day for being a supervisor, I do all of the same duties as the rest of my team but also communicate with our site clients in regards to any additional duties they require of us.

The hardest part of this job for me is disciplining the other security officers. Some people react very negatively so I just keep calm and try to explain to them, the best way I can, why they are being disciplined. Another hard part is that we can't leave the site until we get relieved. So when someone doesn't show up or leaves before their shift is over, someone else needs to stay; which is usually the security officer before them.

An enjoyable part of this job would definitely be client relations. I enjoy talking to our clients and making sure we are keeping them happy in our duties. I also enjoy the steady hours. Since I am supervisor for a specific site, I am guaranteed to work 40 hours a week.

A typical day at work is very easy going making rounds around assigned site and patrolling around buildings making sure everything is secured.

I learned a lot mostly from my peers and not just about the workplace but life in general

I have a very good manager as far as management goes someone who actually knows what hes doing

My current co-workers is very positive and encouraging to work with they have been very reliable and understanding 

The hardest part of the job is making sure you get down all the license plate of incoming trucks for shipping and receiving 

The most enjoyable part of the job is being able to take small breaks every once in a while including a full 3o minutes lunch

However, supervisor would not listen to any concerns.
He would brush them aside trying his best to counter what I say, even though his counter arguments were wrong.
Made me feel as if he didn't care, which is a valid statement because he did say it.
The site managers don't care either about you or your safety.
Speaking to them once and you will better understand.
They need someone to protect their property, all they care about is the property.  
The job had certain dangers that only become visible once you get to know the job inside and out.
The take away from all of this, the supervisor whom isn't at the job site daily and site managers who don't work for this company just don't care.

If you are willing to work any shift, your opportunities are endless. Many opportunities for overtime. They are flexible with school schedules. Management is layback and understanding of family needs. However, they are professional and hold employees accountable. In general, you take care of the client First Alarm will take care of you. First Alarm is one of the few who pay its guards above the minimum wage compare to other companies in the industry.

First Alarm has 11 Branches across California. Meaning that people can transfer to any location. If the opportunity for a new manager is needed in any of the branches the employees have the opportunity to apply for that management position.

A typical day at First Alarm was mostly self managed with available resources when needed. I started as corporate reception and grew into the Accounts Payable Specialist position, I learned accounting hands on from step one. The environment was open and friendly which created a great place for co-workers to rely on each other and form friendships. The hardest part of the job was too many grey areas on policy and procedure, it was more of how each manager interpreted the information. The most enjoyable part of this job was the trust I was given to know when to ask questions and when to take the ball and run with it.

depending on the shift you're hired on here mostly Management in the morning shift compain about how the other shiftss aren't really doing their job but you'll never hear nothing about bad morning shift.when you're working the graveyard you will pretty much be stuck there a little bit longer cuz every person on the mothership seems to be late and management will not discipline them on that building any other other shift because majority times they don't like the other shifts because there's a lot of favoritism.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Alarm technician 4 salaries reported	$45,000 per year
Office administrator 1 salary reported	$16.00 per hour
Sales manager 1 salary reported	$60,000 per year

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