Through innovative workplace violence prevention initiatives, staff education, emergency preparedness leadership, and a collaborative approach that bridges security and clinical care, Pope has strengthened safety across his organization. He is the first non‑clinical award recipient, and his work has improved the healthcare experience for countless individuals.

Participating organizations benefit from:

• Benchmarking incident rates, workplace violence, and security performance metrics against industry peers
• Identifying strengths, opportunities for improvement, and emerging trends
• Supporting data-driven decision-making and strategic planning
• Receiving free access to the benchmarking dashboard and helping shape its future development

Your participation strengthens the healthcare security profession by creating a more robust and reliable source of industry intelligence for everyone.

Interested in participating or have questions? Contact us at dashboard@iahss.org  and we'll help you get started.

This review period provides an opportunity for both IAHSS members and the public to examine the draft guideline and submit comments, recommendations, and feedback prior to final publication. Input from healthcare security professionals and industry stakeholders is an important part of the guideline development process and helps ensure the document reflects current practices, operational considerations, and industry needs.

Please take a few moments to review it and fill out the survey. 

Deadline to submit feedback is June 5, 2026.

Updated Industry Guideline: 08.09 Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response

May 2026                                                                             

Contact:

Name: Virginia Petrancosta
Phone: 630-529-3913 x101                                                                                        

E-Mail: virginia@iahss.org

The International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety (IAHSS) today announces updates to Guideline 08.09 Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response, reinforcing the healthcare security profession’s commitment to coordinated response, life safety, and continuity of care during high-risk violent incidents.

As part of IAHSS’s ongoing work to advance best practices in healthcare security and safety, the revisions to Guideline 08.09 reflect updates aligned with the 2024 edition of NFPA 3000: Standard for an Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response (ASHER) Program. The updated guideline places a stronger emphasis on Unified Command, while reinforcing alignment with the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) and community Incident Command System (ICS) structures. These enhancements support a more integrated and effective response among healthcare organizations, law enforcement, fire/EMS, and emergency management during complex and rapidly evolving events.

The guideline continues to emphasize preparedness, multidisciplinary coordination, and rapid decision-making to protect patients, staff, and visitors while supporting the uninterrupted delivery of critical healthcare services. Updates also highlight the importance of sustaining an effective ASHER program through ongoing review, maintenance, and improvement, including post-incident and post-exercise evaluation. Additionally, the guideline reinforces the value of multidisciplinary committees in supporting program development, implementation, and coordination with community response partners. 

The guideline is now available

Kat Kemper-Kelly, PhD, CHPA, CPD, Consulting Director at Vizient, Inc. and Council on Guidelines member, states: “Healthcare organizations do not respond to these events in isolation. Strengthening Unified Command, aligning with HICS and community ICS structures, and committing to continuous program evaluation brings clarity to roles, improves coordination, and supports a more disciplined and effective response when seconds matter most.”

IAHSS encourages healthcare leaders, security professionals, and emergency management teams to review the updated Guideline 08.09, integrate these enhancements into their emergency operations plans, and conduct regular training and exercises with internal stakeholders and community partners to ensure readiness for active shooter and hostile events.

About IAHSS

The International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) is the only organization solely dedicated to professionals involved in managing and directing security and safety programs in healthcare facilities.

IAHSS is a professional association with more than 4,000 members who are healthcare security, law enforcement, safety and emergency management leaders.  For over fifty years, IAHSS has educated and served members and the profession by offering exclusive resources and benefits including industry and design guidelines, local and international educational and networking opportunities, and the celebrated bi-annual Journal of Healthcare Protection Management.  

IAHSS has certified tens of thousands of dedicated professionals who keep healthcare facilities, patients, staff and visitors safe. IAHSS offers the Basic, Advanced and Supervisor certifications, a Safety Certificate Program, and maintains the prestigious Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA) certification, the standard for the healthcare security leader dedicated to the profession.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Updated Industry Guideline: 01.05.03 Security Metrics
May 2026   

Contact:

Name: Virginia Petrancosta
Phone: 630-529-3913 x101                                                                                        

E-Mail: virginia@iahss.org

Healthcare Facilities continually analyze performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of their safety programs and resource management efforts. In support, in 2015 the IAHSS Council on Guidelines published Healthcare Security Industry Guideline 01.05.03 Security Metrics.

As the industry has evolved to further embrace Quality, Safety, Finance and Resource Utilization as performance indicators, the Council on Guidelines has refreshed the existing Security Metrics guideline to align. The guideline is now available.

Myron Love CHPA, CPP, PSP, PCI, , Council on Guidelines Member and Director of Safety, Security, Emergency Management and Business Continuity for Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin, stated:

“High-performing healthcare leaders recognize that quality, safety, and strong financial stewardship are essential to delivering better outcomes for the patients and communities they serve. This refreshed guideline reinforces the critical role of healthcare security leaders in that mission, providing a clear framework to strengthen alignment, support organizational priorities, and enhance overall performance.”

The IAHSS Council on Guidelines is composed of volunteer members who are experienced healthcare security professionals and leaders. Each year, the Council develops new healthcare security industry guidelines and reviews existing ones on a three-year cycle to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

About IAHSS

The International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) is the only organization exclusively focused on professionals who lead security and safety programs in healthcare facilities. With over 4,000 members worldwide, IAHSS brings together experts healthcare security, law enforcement, safety, and emergency management.

For more than fifty-six years, IAHSS has supported the field through industry guidelines, educational and networking opportunities, and its biannual Journal of Healthcare Protection Management.

IAHSS has certified tens of thousands of professionals through its Basic, Advanced, Supervisor, and Safety Certificate programs. It also offers the Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator designation, widely recognized as the gold standard for leadership in healthcare security.

Through its commitment to professional development and industry advancement, IAHSS continues to elevate the role of healthcare security professionals and promote safer environments for patients, staff, and visitors.

As details emerged—including that the suspect had been wanded according to protocol before opening fire—Paul Sarnese, founder and Principal of Secured & Prepared Consulting, called the incident “gut‑wrenching” and a stark reminder of the risks hospitals face when treating individuals in police custody.

With decades of experience in healthcare security, Sarnese emphasized that Swedish Hospital followed standard procedures, but the tragedy underscores how quickly situations involving custodial patients can escalate.

The IAHSS Bridging Borders Education Conference will be held September 27-29, 2026 at The Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto, Canada.

The conference will bring together global leaders and innovators for high‑impact education, meaningful networking, and forward ‑thinking discussions that shape the future of the healthcare security and safety profession.

Submit Proposal

Selection Process and Timeline

• Submit your session ideas no later than Wednesday, May 27, 2026 (Noon CT).
  
  
• Each submission will be reviewed by a team of volunteers and staff, and you will be notified in early July about the status of your submission.

Session Presenter Expectations

• All presentations MUST be provided electronically on the IAHSS PowerPoint template no later than 2 weeks in advance of the conference for review and preparation.

• Sessions are 60 minutes long.

• Presentations may not include sales pitches or any promotion of your company's specific products or services. Experience has shown that presentations with sales-like components consistently receive the lowest ratings. Product & service providers are strongly encouraged to pair up with a healthcare security, safety or emergency management practitioner.

• You are limited to submitting a maximum of two (2) session proposals. 

Submit your session idea by Wednesday, May 27, 2026 (Noon CT).

• Update your professional profiles
• Announce the accomplishment 
• Integrate “CHPA” into daily practice
• Engage with the broader healthcare security community

Certificants will receive a link to these tools in your congratulatory letter and your CHPA renewal communications. 

About Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA):
The CHPA credential signals that you’ve achieved the highest level of certification in healthcare security and safety management, affirming your ability to lead in complex, dynamic environments.

The CHPA program is accredited by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.)’s National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), providing third-party validation of the program’s integrity and adherence to recognized standards.

The conference will bring together global leaders and innovators for high‑impact education, meaningful networking, and forward‑thinking discussions that shape the future of the profession.

Registration, Hotel, Travel, Agenda, Sponsorship Opportunities and other details will be announced in late April/early May.

Save the Date: Sept. 27–29, 2026, Toronto, Canada

Highlight your involvement and amplify the event’s impact

• Event hashtag
• Downloadable graphics

Whether you're presenting, exhibiting, supporting, or attending, you play an important role in making #IAHSS2026 a success — and we want to help you share that story with your network.

Let’s build buzz and boost visibility.

Your voice makes a difference — let’s get social!

New Exam Question Format: The CHPA Practice Exams have three choices (rather than four) to consider (the correct answer key and two distractors). This aligns with the same format used on the CHPA Exam v.25.

The practice exam questions were created using the same CHPA Exam content outline that is used for the CHPA Exam.

This 50-question practice exam was developed to be a study tool, and to help you identify areas that may need additional study. The practice exam is administered on the same platform as the CHPA Exam. After completing the exam, you will receive a breakdown of your performance based on the exam domains.

Please note, IAHSS education is developed independently from the Commission on Certification and is not required for CHPA certification.

Your performance on the CHPA Practice Exam does not directly correlate with your possible performance the CHPA Exam.

Please be aware of any message coming from sources not affiliated with IAHSS.  Avoid interaction with them.

Valid emails come from: @iahss.org or @iahssf.org

As part of IAHSS’s ongoing work to advance best practices in healthcare security and safety, Guideline 08.03 provides a clear framework for planning and operational decision‑making when civil disturbances arise in communities served by healthcare organizations. The guideline emphasizes readiness, coordinated response, and mitigation strategies to protect patients, staff, visitors and the delivery of essential services.

The guideline opens with a statement that “Healthcare Facilities (HCFs) should establish a process to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the potential impact of civil unrest during situations like protests, riots, violent incidents and other disruptions, prioritizing the continuous delivery of high-quality care and safeguarding the well-being of everyone within the facility and surrounding campus during a civil disturbance.”

Dean R. Sobcoviak, CPP, CHPA, Vice President-Chief Protective Services Officer, Sutter Health and Council on Guidelines member states: "Preparedness and collaboration are essential in maintaining safety and continuity of care during times of civil unrest. Guideline 08.03 provides a critical roadmap for healthcare organizations to protect patients, staff, and visitors while ensuring that vital services remain uninterrupted."

IAHSS encourages healthcare leaders, security professionals, and emergency management teams to integrate Guideline 08.03 into their emergency operations plans, conduct regular training and exercises, and strengthen collaboration with local law enforcement and community partners to ensure safe, effective operations during disruptive events.

About IAHSS

The International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety (IAHSS) is the only organization solely dedicated to professionals who manage and direct security, safety, and emergency management programs in healthcare environments. IAHSS develops industry guidelines, offers education and certifications, and fosters a community of practice to advance excellence in healthcare protection.

Originally program launched in December 2021 and has been completed by over 1,000 professionals. The 2025 update was led by a new team of leading subject matter experts.

Updates to the Program

The enhanced curriculum now offers a dual focus on prevention and mitigation, reflecting the evolving challenges faced by healthcare workers—who remain at the highest risk of workplace violence across all industries.

The updated course will be available starting December 2025 and is open to all healthcare professionals committed to creating safer care environments.

Join us in congratulating the newly elected

2026 IAHSS Board members!

			President-Elect Ashley N. Ditta, MS, CHPA, CPP Director, Public Safety and Parking Newton-Wellesley Hospital Weymouth, Massachusetts
			Vice President/Treasurer John K. Oast, MS, CHPA Director, Security Training and Special Programs Geisinger Danville, Pennsylvania
			Member-at-Large Brett Bramlett, MHA, CHPA Director of Security HH Health System Huntsville, Alabama

We thank all the candidates who took the time and effort to pursue leadership opportunities in IAHSS.

Special appreciation to the IAHSS Commission on Certification for their work developing this new resource for candidates!

Please take a few moments to review it and fill out the survey  below. Deadline to submit feedback is October 3, 2025.

What's new?

• Updated Content Outline and Domains: Based on a new job analysis that was validated with current CHPAs.
• Updated Exam: The new exam incorporates the most up-to-date knowledge and skills required for professionals in this field based on the new exam content outline.
• New Exam Question Format: To enhance both the test-taker experience and the efficiency in processes, we have redesigned the exam so that there are three choices (rather than four) to consider (the correct answer key and two distractors).
• Updated Core Resources: The resources have been updated with the latest editions of the materials.
• Enhanced Relevance: We've made improvements to ensure the exam content and the resulting certification continue to offer real-world value to our candidates.

Why the update?

The IAHSS Commission on Certification is committed to aligning the CHPA with the latest professional standards and industry best practices. To achieve this, IAHSS conducts regular Job Analyses (JAs) every three to five years and continually updates exams, exam policies, procedures and continuing competence requirements.

Preparing for the updated exam

• For those planning to take the current exam: You can continue to utilize existing study materials if you plan to sit for the exam prior to Nov. 3, 2025.
• For those preparing for the new exam: We encourage you to review the updated content outline and domains for the new version of the exam, available here. The updated exam will be available beginning Nov. 3, 2025.

What Does it Mean for Candidates?

• Those currently approved to take the exam have until Nov. 3 to take the existing exam. After that date, you will take the new exam.
• Those approved to take the exam after Nov. 3, 2025 will take the new exam.
• Individuals who test and fail the exam within 30 days prior to the launch of the new exam will need to retest with the new exam.

We're confident that this update will further strengthen the value of the CHPA credential and empower our certified professionals for continued success. IAHSS appreciates your commitment to professional excellence and looks forward to supporting your continued growth and success!

Updated Industry Guideline: 06.03 Executive Protection

August 2025                                                                               Contact:

                                                                                                      Name: Virginia Petrancosta
                                                                                                      Phone: 630-529-3913 x101                                                                                                                              E-Mail: virginia@iahss.org

Executive Protection programs and risk preparedness is always evolving.  Threats and potential risk to senior healthcare executives continues to be a focus for health security programs.  In 2022, the IAHSS Council on Guidelines published Healthcare Security Industry Guideline 06.03: Executive Protection Program. 

In recognition of the changing dynamics around executive protection, the Council on Guidelines refreshed the existing Executive Protection guideline to reflect enhancements developed over the past three years in the areas of executive travel, residential and office security vulnerability assessments, and cybersecurity.  The updated guideline is available here.

Mike Lauer, Council on Guidelines Chair and Vice President Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety for BJC Health System, stated:

“Executive protection continues to be a priority for our healthcare security programs.  Developing executive protection programs, or developing executive protection teams, continues to become more prevalent in healthcare.  The updates to this guideline will help our programs be responsive and adaptive to an ever-changing environment.”

The IAHSS Council on Guidelines is composed of volunteer members who are experienced healthcare security professionals and leaders. Each year, the Council develops new healthcare security industry guidelines and reviews existing ones on a three-year cycle to ensure relevance and effective.

About IAHSS

The International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) is the only organization exclusively focused to professionals who lead security and safety programs in healthcare facilities. With over 4,000 members worldwide, IAHSS brings together experts healthcare security, law enforcement, safety, and emergency management.

For more than fifty-six years, IAHSS has supported the field through industry guidelines, educational and networking opportunities, and its biannual Journal of Healthcare Protection Management.

IAHSS has certified tens of thousands of professionals through its Basic, Advanced, Supervisor, and Safety Certificate programs. It also offers the Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator designation, widely recognized as the gold standard for leadership in healthcare security.

Through its commitment to professional development and industry advancement, IAHSS continues to elevate the role of healthcare security professionals and promote safer environments for patients, staff, and visitors.

IAHSS Releases New Guideline: 04.05 Weapons Detection

August 2025                                                                         Contact:

Name: Virginia Petrancosta  Phone: 630-529-3913 x101 
E-Mail: virginia@iahss.org 

Healthcare organizations are increasingly considering using weapon detection systems in their security programs as an added layer of protection.   

To support healthcare organizations when considering these systems, the IAHSS Council on Guidelines is proud to announce the release of Healthcare Security Industry Guideline 04.05: Weapons Detection. The new guideline is available here.

This guideline identifies the different types of weapons detection systems, placement considerations for these systems, staffing and deployment plans, as well as processes that should be considered for implementing a successful weapon detection program.    

Mike Lauer, Council on Guidelines Chair and Vice President Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety for BJC Health System, stated:  

“Weapon detection systems are becoming more prevalent in healthcare settings.  This guideline, along with recent additions about weapon detection system installations to the IAHSS Security Design Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities, 4^th Edition, is an important step forward as we equip security teams with the tools and program structure needed to add weapons detection to the healthcare environment.” 

The IAHSS Council on Guidelines is composed of volunteer members who are experienced healthcare security professionals and leaders. Each year, the Council develops new healthcare security industry guidelines and reviews existing ones on a three-year cycle to ensure relevance and effective. 

About IAHSS 

The International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) is the only organization exclusively focused to professionals who lead security and safety programs in healthcare facilities. With over 4,000 members worldwide, IAHSS brings together experts healthcare security, law enforcement, safety, and emergency management.

For more than fifty-six years, IAHSS has supported the field through industry guidelines, educational and networking opportunities, and its biannual Journal of Healthcare Protection Management.

IAHSS has certified tens of thousands of professionals through its Basic, Advanced, Supervisor, and Safety Certificate programs. It also offers the Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator designation, widely recognized as the gold standard for leadership in healthcare security.

Through its commitment to professional development and industry advancement, IAHSS continues to elevate the role of healthcare security professionals and promote safer environments for patients, staff, and visitors.

IAHSS Releases New Guideline 05.12 Human Trafficking in Healthcare

August 2025                                                                                     Contact:

                                                                                                                Name: Virginia Petrancosta
                                                                                                                 Phone: 630-529-3913 x101
                                                                                                                 E-Mail: virginia@iahss.org

Healthcare organizations increasingly encounter individuals who are suspected victims of human trafficking. When these individuals present during their captivity, they pose unique and complex security challenges. Healthcare facilities must be prepared to identify victims, respond to their needs, and promote the safety of both the patient and others within the facility, especially when a trafficker may be present.

To support healthcare organizations in identifying and managing these risks, the IAHSS Council on Guidelines is proud to announce the release of Healthcare Security Industry Guideline 05.12: Human Trafficking in Healthcare. The new guideline is available here.

This guideline provides a clear definition of human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, as a crime involving the coercion of individuals to provide labor, services, or engage in commercial sex acts. Coercion may be physical or psychological, subtle or overt. Notably, the exploitation of a minor for commercial sex is considered human trafficking, regardless of the presence of force, fraud, or coercion.

Tony York, CHPA, CPP, Council on Guidelines Member and Executive Vice President of Healthcare for the Paladin Security Family of Companies, stated:

“Human trafficking is a hidden crisis that intersects with healthcare more often than many realize. This guideline is an important step forward in equipping security teams with the tools and awareness needed to identify victims and respond appropriately. It’s about protecting the most vulnerable while promoting the safety and integrity of our healthcare environments.”

The IAHSS Council on Guidelines is composed of volunteer members who are experienced healthcare security professionals and leaders. Each year, the Council develops new healthcare security industry guidelines and reviews existing ones on a three-year cycle to ensure relevance and effective.

About IAHSS

The International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) is the only organization exclusively focused to professionals who lead security and safety programs in healthcare facilities. With over 4,000 members worldwide, IAHSS brings together experts healthcare security, law enforcement, safety, and emergency management.

For more than fifty-six years, IAHSS has supported the field through industry guidelines, educational and networking opportunities, and its biannual Journal of Healthcare Protection Management.

IAHSS has certified tens of thousands of professionals through its Basic, Advanced, Supervisor, and Safety Certificate programs. It also offers the Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator designation, widely recognized as the gold standard for leadership in healthcare security.

Through its commitment to professional development and industry advancement, IAHSS continues to elevate the role of healthcare security professionals and promote safer environments for patients, staff, and visitors.

Deadline: Sept. 10 at noon CT

For information on the requirements and the application, please view the online volunteer application.