Expanded Security Measures in Place: What You Need to Know

As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment, we are expanding on the safety programs we’ve been piloting. Metal-detecting wanding and a weapons detection unit have been in place in the Emergency Department at CRMH for a few months, and last month we started visitor badging on 4 North (Outpatient surgery) at CRMH. Now, we’re preparing to roll out these security measures at new locations to further enhance everyone’s safety.

New Rollouts Starting Tuesday, April 29 at CRMH

• Weapons Detection and Visitor Badging:
  • Terrace View garage/lobby entrance
  • South Main lobby entrance
     
• Weapons Detection Only (Visitor Badging already in place):
  • 4 North (Outpatient surgery)

Weapons detection units like this one in the ED will be
added to Terrace View, South Main and 4 North.

What You Need to Know

Weapons Detection Applies to Everyone
Every Carilion employee and visitor will need to go through weapons detection when entering the Terrace View, south lobby and 4 North entrances. 

Visitor Badging is Only for Visitors
All visitors aged 18 and over will go through the badging system and receive a badge. 

Remember These Tips 

• Plan ahead: Expect slightly longer wait times and allow for extra time when arriving for your shift, as entrances will be busier.
  To help you transition, the West door will be available as another entry point during the first week, 6 – 9 a.m., Monday – Friday.   
• Wear your badge: As employees, we're expected to wear a badge at all times while working in Carilion facilities. 
• Keep your badge visible: Be sure your badge can be seen. You may be delayed or questioned if the badge is not clearly identified.

Additional Safety Reminders

Prohibited Items

• Firearms, ammunition, blunt objects (e.g., bats), edged weapons (e.g., knives), vapes and explosives are strictly forbidden on hospital property, unless lawfully carried by on-duty law enforcement.
• Employees and visitors have an opportunity to return small tools, knives, pocketknives or vapes to their vehicles.
• Box cutters, scissors and other blunt objects are considered weapons and will not be allowed through weapons detection.
• Any object that could be considered a weapon that is needed for your job should be left at work, not transported daily.

Employee Violations

• Weapons discovered in your possession will be treated as a policy violation and referred to Human Resources.

 Bag Checks

•  All purses, lunchboxes and bags will be searched. 
• Clear bags are not required but will speed up the entry process.

More Support

Carilion Police and Security are always here to support our teams:

• CMC 540-981-7911 or 77911 
• CFMH 540-420-5729
• CGCH 540-922-4130
• CNRV 540-731-2911
• CRBH 540-460-7962
• CTCH 276-988-8710

Messages You Can Share

While you won't need to go through visitor badging, you play a role in everyone's safety by helping to enforce these measures: 

• Remind fellow employees who may not be wearing their badge that they must have it on.
• Stop visitors without a badge and ask them to return to Guest Services.
• Direct any visitor with a red “Stop” symbol on their badge to Guest Services.

These enhancements may feel inconvenient and take some adjustment at first, but they go a long way in keeping our environment safe and secure! Thank you for your commitment to ensuring Carilion remains a place of trust and care for all.

Watch for more information about our evolving safety measures and available resources on Inside Carilion and from your leaders.