Some members of BWH’s Security and Parking team

The goal of BWH’s Security and Parking Department is to provide the safest and most secure environment possible for all patients, visitors and employees. In addition to patrolling BWH’s buildings and grounds, responding to codes, issuing identification badges and ensuring patients and visitors can easily park their cars, the Security team supports a variety of groups and teams across the main campus, interacting with many members of the BWH community daily.

George Player, director of Engineering, and his staff have been working with BWH Security for years. They have teamed up to provide proper authorization for employee and vendor access to different areas of the hospital as well as to support Engineering’s off-hours projects and efforts, including cleaning the hospital’s heating and air conditioning system.

“We work very closely with Security to be sure the right people have the right access to various locations across campus and that contractors have the appropriate level of access for the exact duration of their projects,” said Player, who joined BWH nearly 20 years ago. “We also repair the hardware issues that Security helps us to identify. We collaborate with the team in many ways.”

From her post in the mailroom, Office Services shipping coordinator Mayra Scott works with the Security team to handle suspicious packages or envelopes—an infrequent occurrence but a critical one to get right, which Scott achieves with help from Security.

“The Security team deeply cares about the safety of staff, patients, families and the entire Brigham community,” said Scott, who has worked with Security and Parking Director Robert Chicarello for more than 30 years. “It is a tough job, and I appreciate their work and feel safer because I know they’re here.”

In the Center for Patients and Families, Kristen Koch works with the Security team almost daily; Security staff will join the center during meetings with patients and family members as needed.

“They are such a valuable resource to us,” said Koch. “We look to them for guidance and help if challenges come up, and they are always more than willing to support us in any way.”

In times of uncertainty, Koch says Security is always there to respond.

“If we push a panic button, a member of the team is there within seconds,” she said. “They are very visible and check in on us regularly to see if we need anything.”

Added Player: “The team is competent, flexible and easy to work with. We know we can rely on them; they are integral to the hospital.”