Security Lessons From a Leading U.S. Blood Center
When David Fortino joined New York Blood Center Enterprises—one of the largest nonprofit blood collection and distribution organizations in the U.S.—as Head of Corporate Security, he was tasked with building the company’s first enterprise-wide security program. With 2,300 employees spread across more than 70 locations in 17 states, and a constantly moving fleet of mobile blood drives, the role demanded a security strategy that could adapt to both scale and complexity.
In this episode, David shares how his frontline experience in emergency medical services informs the security program he’s building to meet real-world demands. He breaks down how to tailor training by role, monitor risks, and align security priorities with business needs. Whether your team works in labs, offices, or out in the field, David’s approach offers an adaptable and hands-on model for building a security program.
David and Peter discuss:
- How understanding an organization’s mission helps define its security priorities
- The challenges of securing temporary locations and ensuring staff are equipped for unpredictable moments
- Why strong relationships with HR, legal, facilities, and local law enforcement teams are essential for effective security programs
- What it takes to embed security across departments and shift legacy mindsets over time
The Employee Safety Podcast is hosted by Peter Steinfeld, SVP of Safety Solutions at AlertMedia.
You can find this interview and many more by following The Employee Safety Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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