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In October 2024, Solaren Risk Management demonstrated its emergency response capabilities during Hurricane Milton, deploying a mobile command center and security personnel to Florida to protect client properties during the disaster. This operation highlighted the company’s adaptability and growing role in crisis management across the southeastern United States.
The deployment showcased Solaren’s ability to rapidly mobilize resources in emergency situations. “We ended up taking a command center down there and we had multiple vehicles so we could patrol the properties. We had to gather as many people as we could to go down there,” a representative of Solaren Risk Management explains.
The company’s emergency response team conducted a thorough preparation process before deployment. “Usually what we do, we spend months in advance preparing for an event,” the representative notes. “We make sure that everybody knows where they’re going to be, knows what equipment they’re going to be issued.”
Expansion Through Crisis Management
The Hurricane Milton response exemplifies Solaren’s growth trajectory under CEO Jack Byrd’s leadership. “The company kind of skyrocketed as soon as it started. Jack has a lot of connections. He knows a lot of people, which is really invaluable when you’re starting a business,” a representative of Solaren Risk Management shares. What began as a small operation in a mall office has transformed into a significant security presence spanning multiple states. According to the representative, “We went from that small team and a small office in a mall to the office that we’re in now with around 300-plus contractors that work for us throughout just Nashville, and that happened within the span of maybe two or three years.” This rapid expansion has positioned Solaren to respond effectively to large-scale crises like Hurricane Milton, demonstrating how the company has evolved to meet complex security challenges across the Southeast.
Strategic Recruitment and Deployment
For Hurricane Milton, Solaren conducted targeted recruitment of qualified security personnel. “We would do outreach. We would basically say, if you have all the qualifying documents, we will onboard you and you can come with us down to this project for a certain price and all that kind of stuff per diems and all that,” the representative shares. The company managed this process through social media and email campaigns, carefully vetting applicants before deployment.
Despite the logistical challenges, the operation proved successful. “The deployment was actually pretty smooth, and the client was very happy with our services down there,” the representative confirms.
Technology Integration During Crisis Response
Communication systems played a crucial role in Solaren’s emergency response capabilities. “Everything that we use for our phone and communication and all that stuff is mobile based because all of our operations team is out in the field almost all the time,” explains the representative. This technology-driven approach allows the team to maintain coordination even in challenging conditions.
Under Jack Byrd’s leadership, Solaren has embraced a balanced approach to technology deployment during emergencies. “A lot of people think that it takes away from the physical security aspect, but it really doesn’t. If anything, it supplements it. The human eye is going to recognize things and be able to process things better than AI ever will,” the representative points out.
Building Relationships with Law Enforcement
The company maintains strong connections with local law enforcement agencies during emergency operations. “We work directly with Metro Nashville in a lot of capacities,” the representative explains. “We’ve built a really good rapport with them because it is supposed to be a very collaborative relationship in a lot of ways.”
This collaborative approach extends to other regions where Solaren operates. “If we’re doing events in other areas, we need to build that relationship with the law enforcement in that area,” the representative adds, noting the importance of coordination with local authorities during emergency situations.
Training for Disaster Response
Solaren’s security personnel function as essential first responders during disasters. “Amidst the continuous hurricanes affecting the southeastern United States, security guards offer a range of benefits to their client locations. Security guards are often the true first responders to a disaster, as they are already on-site and prepared to act,” the representative states.
The company’s commitment to training ensures personnel are prepared for emergencies. “We have regular report writing classes, because not everybody knows how to write a report. Not everybody knows what categories on their report mean,” the representative explains, highlighting the attention to documentation during crisis situations.
Specialized emergency response training has proven valuable in real-world scenarios. “This attention to detail extends to specialized courses like the Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) course, which is a three-day course talking about how to use tourniquets, how to do CPR, all that kind of stuff,” the representative adds.
Solaren Risk Management’s response to Hurricane Milton demonstrates how the company has evolved from a small security firm to a comprehensive emergency services provider under Jack Byrd’s leadership. By combining technological solutions with well-trained personnel, Solaren continues to expand its crisis management capabilities throughout the southeastern United States.
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