Public Safety and Security Committee News

TSA, ACI-NA, and Airports to Review Orange Alert Protocols

Aug. 19, 2008 - ACI-NA President Greg Principato and Sr. Vice President for Security and Facilitation Charles Chambers met recently with TSA Assistant Administrator John Sammon and General Manager for Airports Doug Hofsass to discuss airports’ working with TSA to determine if there are more effective and efficient ways to meet Orange Alert protocols, including amending or eliminating certain procedures, and re-allocating resources for other procedures. Airport participation is voluntary and any protocol changes would be airport specific as determined by each airport and their FSD. The Orange Alert review process is tentatively planned to begin in the late September/early October timeframe. Airports interested in participating should contact ACI-NA Senior Manager for Public Safety and Security, Lydia Kellogg.

For more information contact Lydia Kellogg >>

ACI-NA to Meet with Airline Security Managers

Aug. 19, 2008 - At the request of the Air Transport Association (ATA), ACI-NA Sr. Vice President for Security and Facilitation Charles Chambers will meet this week with ATA and its member airlines’ security managers to discuss various key joint security issues of interest, including the upcoming Orange Alert Review process, employee screening, and biometrics.  Joining Chambers in the meeting will be Dawn E. Lucini, ACI-NA Public Safety and Security Committee Chair and Airport Security Coordinator for McCarran International Airport and Mark Crosby, AAAE Transportation Security Services Committee Chair and Chief of Public Safety and Security at Portland International Airport.  Also joining the meeting from the host meeting city and representing airports is Wendy Reiter, Director of Security with Sea-Tac International Airport and a member of the ACI-NA PS&C Committee Steering Group.

For more information contact Lydia Kellogg >>

Hoggan to be New TSA Deputy Ops Head

Aug. 19, 2008 - TSA announced on Monday that Kelly Hoggan will be the new Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations (OSO) effective August 31st, replacing Ray White who will take the post of Senior Field Executive for Region 8. In making the announcement, Mo McGowan, Assistant Administrator for Security Operations expressed his appreciation to White for his skilled leadership, intellect, and unwavering dedication to TSA’s mission during his service as the Deputy Assistant Administrator.  McGowan credited Hoggan with revitalizing the current metrics system within OSO, shifting the focus towards layered security programs and the effectiveness of the overall security areas at each airport.
Hoggan joined TSA in 2004 and has served in several leadership positions, most recently as the General Manager for the Office of Operational Performance where his responsibilities included developing and overseeing organizational performance measurements, screening optimization, and workforce utilization.  Prior to joining TSA, Hoggan served in various senior level positions with two international air carriers.
White has been with TSA since 2002.  Before becoming the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations in August 2007, he served as the acting federal security director at Dallas Love Field, assistant federal security director and interim federal security representative.  Prior to joining TSA, White was a supervisory special agent in civil aviation security at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
For more information contact Lydia Kellogg >>

Security Rules Set for Troops Accessing Airport Sterile Areas During DOD Transport

July 22, 2008 - The Departments of Defense (DOD) and Transportation, and the Transportation Security Administration recently put into effect a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining security procedures for access to sterile areas at commercial airports by U.S. troops and certain DOD civilians and contractors being transported to and from overseas points on charter or DOD-owned aircraft when the aircraft makes a technical stop exceeding one hour in length.  Click here for a copy of the MOU. 

Among the MOU’s provisions is that DOD charter operators notify the airport and local Federal Security Director 24 hours before landing that they intend to allow troops and passengers to deplane in the sterile area.  Notification is required as soon as practicable for emergency or unplanned landings. ACI-NA, AAAE, National Air Carrier Association, Air Transport Association and other industry stakeholders worked over the last several months with DOD, TSA, and DOT to develop the MOU. 
For more information contact Lydia Kellogg >>

Report Outlines Steps for DHS to Improve Airport and Other Security Technology Acquisition

July 2008 - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just released the final report of the Homeland Security Advisory Council’s Essential Technology Task Force (ETTF), which was established by DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff to provide recommendations for acquiring technologies critical to homeland security, including airport security.  In consultation with subject matter experts, including James E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Charles Chambers, ACI-NA’s Senior Vice President, Security and Facilitation, the ETTF also assessed using alternative legal and financing tools to acquire these technologies. 

In its report, the ETTF said DHS must improve its overall requirements and acquisition processes as a precondition for improving its ability to assess and employ alternative financing mechanisms. The ETTF also endorsed the recommendations of the Baggage Screening Investment Study (BSIS), which was released in August 2006.  Among the BSIS recommendations was creating a voluntary tax credit bond program under which airports could issue such bonds to help fund necessary infrastructure to accommodate baggage screening systems.  The BSIS was done by airport, airline, Transportation Security Administration and other industry experts.  Click here for a copy of the ETTF report.  Click here for a copy of the BSIS.

For more information contact  Lydia Kellogg >>

Deadline for Perimeter Security Funding Proposals Approaches

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intends to fund several Airport Perimeter Security (APS) pilot projects exclusively for airport authorities. The budget for these pilot projects is estimated at $4 million. Airports must submit white papers to the TSA no later than June 23. The following is a list of the airports that submitted white papers and received funding for the APS pilot program last year:

• San Francisco International - Airport Security Display Processor (ADSP) for    the ASDE-3 Radar Feeds, GPS Enabled Friend or Foe Vehicle Identification (FFI), Thermal/IR/Visible Sensors
• LaGuardia - Radar ID ("RAID") system, ASDE-3 radar
• Pittsburgh International - Intelligent padlocks for fence gates by Videx Inc. CyberLock System
• Indianapolis International - (5) mobile (camera's with wireless transmitters) detection towers
• Washington-Dulles International - Gatekeeper Under Vehicle Inspection System (UVIS) at one vehicle gate.
• Newport News/Williamsburg International - GE Pro Video IQ and FLIR ThermoVision next generation video system.

View TSA applications guidelines»

View TSA applications guidelines for smaller airports»

Contact ACI-NA's  Lydia Kellogg for more information»

ACI-NA Discusses Biometrics at Security Industry Association Meeting

In remarks before the Security Industry Association last week, Charles Chambers, ACI-NA's Sr. Vice President for Security and Facilitation, outlined several key concerns and issues regarding the use of biometrics for airport security access control systems and the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) proposed Aviation Credential Interoperable Solution (ACIS). Chambers noted that airports continue to be concerned with the concept of "interoperability" and what this would actually mean in a real world context, including whether having interoperable biometric employee badges would lead to airports being mandated to allow for so-called universal access by airline crews.

ACI-NA Attends JPDO Working Group

• Provide analysis and recommendations on technologies, procedures, policies and research and development toward NexGen.

• Prepare a concept of operations that integrates all aspects of NexGen goals that will take into consideration roles and responsibilities as the security mission partners and security technology as they continue to evolve.

• Facilitate the development of a global aviation security system that is layered, adequate, effective and responsive to the increases in air transportation, passenger loading and cargo handling in the year 2025 and beyond.

• Strive for high public confidence and cooperation in the aviation security system.

TSA/ACI-NA/Airports Meets on Employee Badging

December 2007 - ACI-NA, in concert with other industry associations met with TSA to review the employee badging regime at airports.  The meeting was held on Dec. 11 and 12 in Washington, D.C.  Several airports, including PS&S Committee Chair Mark Baldy and PS&S Committee Vice Chair Dawn Lucini participated in the meeting.

December 2007 - The TSA has recently begun notifying airports whose existing National Explosive Detection Canine Team Program (NEDCTP) agreements are expiring on December 31, 2007.  According to TSA, funding will be provided through March 31, 2008, under the existing agreement, as modified by TSA. The application submission deadline is January 14, 2008. The application can be found at www.grants.gov.  The PS&S Committee will work with TSA to ensure a smooth application process and address airports concerns and issues.

TSA/ACI-NA/ Continue Planning For Employee Screening Pilot Tests

December 2007 - The ACI-NA PS&S Committee, in concert with other industry associations, has continued working with TSA to plan employee screening pilot tests.  The tests, to be conducted at airports that volunteer for the tests, will include Category X, I, II, and III airports.  At this point, TSA is waiting to determine what funding is provided by Congress for the tests and will then work with the airports and ACI-NA and other associations to complete planning.  The pilot tests are expected to begin in early 2008.

ACI-NA Participates In Westdog Conference

December 2007 - ACI-NA participated in a conference held by the Western Airports Disaster Operations Group (WESTDOG) on Nov. 29. The conference, hosted by San Diego and Orange County airports, covered how volunteering airports can assist other airports through mutual aid in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. The conference agenda included a review of the draft WESTDOG Mutual Aid Plan that was created by a six-member WESTDOG working group, as well as briefings on state-to-state mutual aid through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) — a process that allows airports to apply for reimbursement and offers certain liability protections.  The WESTDOG Mutual Aid Plan is still under development and the ACI-NA PS&S Committee will notify airports when it is final.  Contact ACI-NA's Lydia Kellogg for more information.

ACI-NA Continues Efforts On Pandemic Planning For Airports

December 2007 - ACI-NA has been working with several other industry associations over the last several months, most recently in early December, to review and refine the draft Aviation Sector Pandemic Planning Guidelines (ASPPG) — a document being developed by the Federal Government with input and assistance from ACI-NA and other industry stakeholders.  This document will provide a framework for airports and airlines to use in augmenting their existing emergency response plans, and help them be prepared to effectively respond to a pandemic event.  When completed, the ASPPG will be incorporated into the Federal Government’s overall Pandemic Plan.  Contact ACI-NA's Lydia Kellogg for more information.

ACI-NA Files Comments On Proposed Secure Flight Program

November 2007 - In late November, ACI-NA filed comments on the Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration (DHS/TSA) proposal to implement the Secure Flight Program.   The PS&S Committee took the lead for ACI-NA in reviewing and preparing ACI-NA comments.  Under the proposal, TSA would receive passenger and certain non-traveler information, conduct watch list matching, and transmit gate and boarding pass printing instructions to airlines indicating whether individuals were clear to enter the sterile area, identified as selectees, or prohibited from receiving a boarding or gate pass. 

In its comments, ACI-NA noted its support for Secure Flight’s objective (PDF file) of focusing enhanced screening efforts on individuals likely to pose a threat, but also outlined several concerns that could turn Secure Flight into a bottleneck for passengers.  Among the concerns ACI-NA outlined, was the need for TSA to more fully address the potential impact on airports that provide operational assistance to airlines such as reservation and passenger information transmission; set more realistic implementation timeframes; ensure adequate pilot testing and technological capability for a program that will vet about 2.7 million individuals each day; ensure a reliable back-up system is put in place; and establish a standard to measure Secure Flight performance.  Contact ACI-NA's James Briggs (jbriggs@aci-na.org) for more information.

ACI-NA Discusses Security Issues With Canada’s Deputy Transportation Minister

November 2007 - Charles Chambers, ACI-NA’s Senior Vice President for Security and Facilitation, joined several other industry stakeholders in a roundtable discussion with Louis Ranger, Canada’s Deputy Minister for Transportation on Nov. 6 at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.  Deputy Minister Ranger discussed recent Canadian transportation security initiatives and the group shared insights on recent U.S. security efforts and mutual Canada-U.S. transportation security concerns.  Among the discussion topics was the re-screening of checked baggage on flights from Canada connecting in the U.S. and transit of duty free items.   

PS&S Committee Chair And Aci-Na Address New Federal Security Directors

November 2007 - Mark Baldy, airport security coordinator at Reagan National Airport and 2007 Chair of the ACI-NA Public Safety and Security Committee, Charles Chambers, ACI-NA’s Senior Vice President for Security and Facilitation, and Lydia Kellogg, Senior Manager of Public Safety and Security, addressed new federal security directors on Nov. 6 at the TSA FSD Academy in Potomac, Maryland.  Baldy provided perspectives on how FSDs can build and maintain strong and effective mutual relationships with their airports.  Chambers and Kellogg discussed the role of ACI-NA in assisting and representing its members and working with TSA.  Contact ACI-NA's Lydia Kellogg for more information.

ACI-NA Completes Vipr Survey

November 2007 - ACI-NA surveyed its airport members about their experiences with TSA Visual Intermodal Presence and Response (VIPR) teams.  The survey focused on how TSA has implemented the program at airports, including coordination with airports.  ACI-NA has continued to work with TSA and its airport members to ensure effective coordination and address concerns raised by airports.  Contact Lydia Kellogg for more information regarding this survey.   

TSA Releases Guidelines for Checked Baggage Systems

October 2007 - On Oct. 23, The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) released the Planning Guidelines and Design Standards for Airport Checked Baggage Inspection Systems following a meeting with industry on the document.  The guidelines were prepared as part of the Baggage Screening Investment Study (BSIS), undertaken by the TSA with the aviation industry. The BSIS was comprised of airport, airlines and TSA representatives who met regularly for over a year to address issues surrounding the financial, technical, and strategic challenges associated with checked baggage screening.  The ACI-NA PS&S Committee will continue its efforts, in coordination with other associations to review and improve the BSIS document (PDF file) and to address concerns identified by the industry. 

ACI-NA Joins other Industry Stakeholders in DHS National Response Drill

October 2007 - ACI-NA’s President, Greg Principato and Charles Chambers, Senior Vice President for Security and Facilitation, joined other industry stakeholders in the Oct. 16 kick-off to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) national preparedness, response and recovery exercise to test prevention and response capabilities to a simulated radiological dispersal device (RDD) or “dirty bomb” attack.  Called Top Officials 4 (TOPOFF 4), the drill includes simultaneous activities in Washington, D.C; Portland, Ore., Maricopa County, Ariz., and Guam from Oct. 15-19.  The first day activities included a first-hand look at the National Response Recovery Center (NRCC) in action as the simulated attack event unfolded as well as a briefing outlining ongoing events and response actions that officials would receive in the case of an actual terrorist attack. Related activities are also being held in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.  TOPOFF exercises provide the opportunity for government and private sector leaders to see how response plans and incident management systems are being tested and the resources that will be brought to bear in any large-scale emergency.  

TSA Applications for FY 2009 Funding for Checked Baggage Screening

June 2007 - Airports interested in applying for federal funding on checked baggage screening should notify their FSD prior to July 16, 2007.  In notifying FSDs, identify and provide contact information (with email address) for the Airport Operator Point of Contact (POC). TSA will email Airport Operator POC an application package to complete and submit to screeningsupportrequest@dhs.gov.

For more information click on the following:

• TSA Application Guidance for Checked Baggage FY200 (PDF file)