Staying Ready When It Matters Most

When emergencies strike—whether sudden wildfires, large-scale events, or workplace threats—organizations need security partners who can move quickly, adapt seamlessly, and protect people and assets under pressure.

We sat down with John Bernal, Senior Director of Operations for the Disaster and Emergency Response (DER) team at Allied Universal® Enhanced Protection Services, to talk about what drives successful deployments and how layered security solutions make the difference in high-stakes environments. 

John, can you begin by sharing more about your role and team’s expertise?

I oversee the temporary and emergency response side of DER—anything short-term or urgent that requires specialized protection. That ranges from a single officer on fire watch to complex deployments involving armed agents, executive protection, and crowd management. We also handle natural disaster responses, workplace violence incidents, large-scale events, and secure transports. Essentially, if a client needs tailored security for days, weeks, or even months, my team builds and delivers that solution. If we need to engage with other practices within our organization to help build out the security program, we do. These might include Investigations, Executive Protection, Consulting, Intelligence, and K9 Detection.  

One of the deployments your team managed recently was a multi-day flagship conference.  What was unique about that environment?

The challenge with events like that is the mix of high-profile attendees, valuable assets, and huge crowds that span across multiple zones with numerous access points. You can’t rely on a single layer of security—it has to be a coordinated, multi-practice approach. For that deployment, we brought together several security functions: risk assessment and tactical planning, weapons detection screening, K9 units for explosives and firearms detection, and an executive protection detail. A unified command center and real-time communication with local law enforcement helped tie it all together.

That layered model allowed us to manage everything from counterfeit badge attempts to crowd incidents, while also creating a visible sense of safety for attendees. It’s a good example of how different service lines integrate to provide one seamless security solution.

On the other end of the spectrum, your team delivered support to the communities impacted by the California wildfires. How does a disaster response differ from an event deployment?

The environment is completely different—unpredictable, fast-moving, and emotionally charged. In that case, we were asked to secure bank branches with damaged vaults, protect insurance offices, and escort claims adjusters into hazardous neighborhoods. With local resources stretched thin, our ability to mobilize and scale quickly was critical.

We deployed retired law enforcement officers who not only provided protection but also had strong local relationships, which gave us access and credibility in restricted areas. We also layered our coverage: unarmed guards where visibility mattered most, armed agents for higher-risk sites, and active law enforcement coordination when needed. That adaptability is what allowed us to help protect assets and help businesses keep operating during the evolving crisis.

From your perspective, what are some of the common denominators for success across such different scenarios?

Adaptability and depth of resources. You must be able to scale quickly, pivot when something unexpected happens, and layer security appropriately. Sometimes that means more officers for visibility, other times it’s fewer people with higher-level expertise. What matters is having the right mix at the right time.

It also comes down to planning and partnerships. Success comes from working as one unified team—and that can be internally within our various specialty practices or externally with local law enforcement. And of course, the people—the professionalism, training, and calm under pressure—that’s the engine that makes it all work.

You mention the strength of the team. How does your team’s background—many coming from military or law enforcement—help in these situations?

It makes a big difference. Prior military personnel are used to operating in austere environments, with limited resources, and staying steady under pressure. Former law enforcement bring experience in dealing with the public, de-escalating situations, and managing incidents in real time. Together, those backgrounds create a balance—discipline and adaptability on one hand, communication and situational awareness on the other. It means when we send people out, they’re not just standing watch. They’re actively problem-solving, bringing intelligence back, and helping us shape a stronger solution for the client as conditions change.

What does this tell us about the broader value of DER services?

At the end of the day, organizations need more than bodies at a site. They need trusted professionals who can protect people, property, and operations no matter the environment—planned events, sudden disasters, or emerging threats. 

The value is in the layers: tailoring the right mix of expertise, technology, and personnel to the situation at hand. That flexibility, and the ability to integrate across practices, is what makes us effective when it matters most. 

About John Bernal 
John Bernal is Senior Director of Operations for Allied Universal® Enhanced Protection Services, where he leads the company’s Emergency Response Center and oversees threat, disaster, and emergency response deployments nationwide. A U.S. Army veteran, John brings extensive experience from both the public and private sectors, including leadership in protective services, behavioral threat assessment, and crisis operations.

He holds the ASIS International “Triple Crown” of certifications — Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Physical Security Professional (PSP), and Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) — as well as the Certified Threat Manager (CTM) credential from the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals. John also played a key role in designing Allied Universal’s internal credentialing program for ERC operators, raising the standard for readiness across the team.

Before entering private security, John served as a Parole Agent III Supervisor, where he oversaw high-risk caseloads and advanced behavioral threat assessments. Today, he continues to shape the field through active involvement with ASIS International, including contributions to certification programs and technical committees on workplace violence prevention and active assailant response. 

About Chris Shelton

Chris Shelton leads Canine operations for Enhanced Protection Services, particularly in the regulated cargo screening space. He is a 17-year veteran with the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), a United States federal law enforcement agency under the supervision of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  During his tenure with FAMS, Shelton served as the Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge of the TSA Canine Training Center. He supervised canine team training for the largest explosive detection canine program in DHS and was responsible for training, deploying, and evaluating over 1,000 TSA and law enforcement-led canine teams for aviation, multimodal, maritime, mass transit, and cargo environments. Shelton was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Certified Cargo Security Program – Canine (CCSP-K9), the TSA program regulating the use of third-party canine providers for explosive detection screening in regulated air cargo environments. With a long-time passion for security and explosive detection canines, Shelton began his career with a decade of service as a municipal law enforcement officer.