Federal Transit Administration Offers Emergency Preparedness Grants
FTA is currently offering grants to transit agencies for organizing and conducting full-scale emergency preparedness drills. These drills are being offered to the top 100 transit systems in the country as ranked by annual passenger trips. Grants up to $50,000 for single or multiple drills will be awarded to each qualifying agency, with the amount dependent on number and complexity of the drills. FTA encourages submission of collaborative applications from several transit agencies in an urbanized area. This will allow for comprehensive multiple agency drills on a regional basis. Expenses covered include materials, supplies, and certain labor necessary to carry out drills, but not capital expenditures. To qualify for these funds, the drill scenario must be based on a security threat, and all drills must be completed within 18 months of the grant award date. Further guidance may be found on the FTA web site at http://ftateamweb.fta.dot.gov/fta-flash2b.htm. For further information or assistance, contact your local FTA regional office.
Federal Transit Administration Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forums
As part of the U. S. Government’s efforts to improve homeland security, FTA, in conjunction with the American Public Transportation Association and the Federal Railroad Administration, is offering free 2-day forums, Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forums, to transit and emergency response agencies across the country. The schedule is given below in the meetings section of the newsletter. For additional information or to register, go to transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov.
Federal Transit Administration Security Assessments
FTA has conducted assessments to ascertain the state of readiness of the transit industry to deter and respond to terrorist threats. The purpose of these assessments is to: (1) Increase awareness of potential terrorist activities and define appropriate responses; (2) assess the readiness of transit agencies to respond to terrorist attacks; (3) develop a counter terrorism assessment process to facilitate independent agency self assessments; (4) develop a national trends analysis of threats to and vulnerabilities of the largest U. S. transit systems in order to support future FTA security and emergency management programs; (5) assess the coordination of emergency response efforts with local and Federal law enforcement agencies, and local emergency response agencies, including the local Office of Emergency Management; and (6) in conjunction with transit, state, and local law enforcement personnel, assist transit agencies in deterring and responding to acts of terrorism and major crimes. For further information, contact Harry Saporta at 202, 366-3344, or by E-mail at harry.saporta@fta.dot.gov.
Transit Security Review Program
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) TSRP program affords transit agencies a cost-free, voluntary review of their security. The program is aimed at assisting transit to achieve the highest level of safety and security on their systems. The program conducted in three phases-pre-review, on-site review, and post-review. The pre-review phase includes gathering information from the system through a questionnaire and telephone interviews with appropriate transit security or police personnel. This information is used to prepare for and conduct a desk review in order to familiarize the team with them security organization and transit operations. The on-site review involves assessing eleven elements: the system security program plan, a threat and vulnerability analysis, reporting criminal activity as mandated by the National Transit Database Requirements, a self-evaluation program, security planning/crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), provision of transit training for security personnel, security technology, security technology, a review of security policies and procedures, security committees, physical security issues, and recommendation of best practices. The post-review phase consists of an out-briefing for agency staff at which the team members provide a thorough review of their observations; make recommendations, and answer any questions; provide a review of best practices observed during the review; organize observations, recommendations, and best practices under the eleven review elements; and lastly provide the transit agency with a report of the review. For further information, call Carole Ferguson at 202, 366-0219.
National Transit Institute Security Training
NTI recently announced the availability of two new transit security training courses for frontline employees and supervisors-System Security Awareness for Transit Employees and Security Incident Management for Transit Supervisors. These courses and accompanying materials are available to transit organizations free of charge. They were developed specifically for transit in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration and the FBI and with transit agencies, labor unions, and security professionals. The practices put forth in these courses will assist transit systems in hardening the target against terrorism and will also improve overall security and help to reduce all types of crime at all levels. System Security Awareness for Transit Employees is designed for front-line employees and supervisors who have direct contact with the public or vehicles and facilities used by the public. The course covers skill sets for observing, determining, and reporting people and things that are suspicious or out of place. Security Incident Management for Transit Supervisors is a 2-hour add-n course for road supervisors, dispatchers, foremen, and other managers. This course addresses the fundamental responsibilities of such managers, such as communication, information gathering and analysis, hazard and risk identification, decision making, and plan implementation. The schedule is given below in the training section of the newsletter. For further information call 732, 932-1700, ext. 31 or go to www.NTIONLINE.com.
In recent months, a group of Amtrak employees have been working with Captain Bob Smith of the Amtrak Police Department New England Division to familiarize the police with train operations and equipment. The program is based on the successful conductor enhancement training program of the Northeast Corridor. The idea to offer this type of program to the Police Department resulted from a conversation between Michael DeJoseph, a former member of the Amtrak Police Department, and conductor Gary Hopson. It was felt that familiarizing the Police Department with operations and equipment would facilitate their response to any crisis. The program was first held in March in New London, Connecticut, where a trainset consisting of a conventional engine, dinette, and coach served as the classroom. The training features more hands-on experience than traditional classroom work, allowing participants to become familiar with the infrastructure, from the rail to the newly installed overhead catenary system. In six hours, the first group of officers, sergeants, and lieutenants were exposed to everything, from the nooks and crannies of the equipment to train operation and the signal system (demonstrated by use of a working scale model), to a live demonstration of what high-voltage electricity can do. The class walked the track , practiced gaining emergency access to equipment, and learned about fire control and engine operations. Once participants learned the basics, they had to apply them to real scenarios. They discussed and practiced everything from a bomb search to evacuation of a smoke-filled coach. By the end of March, 40 New England Division Police Officers had attended and successfully completed the program. Trainers are currently familiarizing those officers with the Acela Express trains.
Phoenix Robbery-Homicide Investigation Nets Suspects
Phoenix Transit Public Safety investigators were able to assist in solving a multiple robbery-homicide case. Initial reports of the incident indicated that the suspects were seen boarding a city bus. After hours of reviewing video from the surveillance cameras on buses operating in the area at that time, two suspects were identified and their pictures turned over to the Phoenix Police. The police were unable to identify the suspects but had the pictures broadcast on the evening news with a $1,000 reward offered for their identity. As a result of numerous calls, both were identified, located, and subsequently arrested. They are charged with various crimes, including the two homicides, robbery, and aggravated assault in both Phoenix and Mesa. Special recognition was given to Chief Dave Martin and Assistant Chief J. R. Jenkins for their collaboration with Phoenix detectives. For further information, call Dave Martin at 602, 495-5834.
Amtrak Police Inspector Honored
Amtrak Police Inspector Lisa Shahade was honored by the NCWP on April 30 when she received their “Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award. Inspector Shahade was one of several high-ranking women in law enforcement was recognized at the NCWP annual conference at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington, D. C. Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, the originator of the memorial and the first female General in the U. S. Air Force, was the keynote speaker. NCWP is an organization comprised of women leaders from all areas of law enforcement. Inspector Shahade was recognized as one of the women in the U. S. who has attained high position in a law enforcement agency. The award was based on her many accomplishments during 14 years of service with the Amtrak Police Department. She has received 46 letters of commendation during her career, including a citation from the City of Philadelphia for her work in conjunction with the 2001 Republican National Convention.
Global Security Summit for Transportation Systems and Critical Transport Infrastructure
With over 200 organizations from aviation, rail, transit, highway, maritime, and shipping expected to attend, the WCBF Global Security Summit for Transportation Systems and Critical Transport Infrastructure will be held in Chicago September 4-5, 2002. It is expected to be the largest multi-modal transportation security event in the U. S. since the devastating attacks on 9/11. Among the organizations discussing measures to ensure that their capability to counter security threats, including possible use of chemical or biological weapons on public transport and in terminals, are American Airlines, Amtrak, the Mass Transit Administration of Maryland, and the British Transport Police. The conference will attempt to provide insights into patterns of past terrorist behavior and highlight best practice security measures employed by other transport operators, especially those which may face high level threats due to their geographic location or symbolic, economic, and political significance. The potential for pre-empting terrorist attacks against critical transportation infrastructure during the crucial phases when terrorists are planning and developing their attacks will also be explored. Among the speakers are Amtrak Police and Chief E. Ronald Frazier, head of security for LYNX Roger Clark, BART Chief of Police Gary Gee. Readers of the Transit Security Newsletter will be entitled to a 20% discount when registering. To take advantage of this opportunity, visit the WCBF web site at www.wcbf.com/security/6000 and click on Home Page. Once in the registration form, input registration code TSN in the appropriate box. Or you may contact Vijay Bajaj by E-mail at vijay.bajaj@wcbf.com. WCBF is also offering additional group booking discounts of 15% for 3, 30% for 5, and 25% for groups of 7 or more.
7/24-25/02 Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forum, Seattle, WA, Federal Transit Administration (transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov).
8/5-6/02 109th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference, Minneapolis, MN (800, THE IACP; www.theiacp.org)
8/12-13/02 Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forum, San Jose, CA, Federal Transit Administration (transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov)
8/14-15/02 Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forum, San Francisco, CA, Federal Transit Administration (transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov)
8/20-21/02 Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forum, Washington, DC, Federal Transit Administration (transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov)
8/27-28/02 Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forum, Chicago, IL, Federal Transit Administration (transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov)
9/4-5/02 Global Security Summit for Transportation Systems and Critical Transportation Infrastructure, Chicago, IL, WCBF Limited (+44 [0] 20 8 886 0955; Fax: 882 8485; www.wcbf.com/security)
9/17-19/02 Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forum, St. Louis, MO, Federal Transit Administration (transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov)
9/19-21/02 Risk Analysis 2002: Computer Simulation in Risk Analysis and Hazard Mitigation, Sintra, Portugal, Wessex Institute of Technology (+44 [0] 238 029 3223; Fax: 238 02 2853; wit@wessex.ac.uk; www.wessex.ac.uk)
9/22-26/02 American Public Transportation Association International Public Transit Expo 2002, Las Vegas, NV (202, 396-4800; www.meetings@apta.com)
10/5-9/02 109th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference, Minneapolis, MN (800, THE IACP; www.theiacp.org)
10/12-16/02 American Public Transportation Association Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT (202, 496-4800)
10/16-17/02 Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forum, Detroit, MI, Federal Transit Administration (transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov)
10/21-25/02 110th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference: Law Enforcement Education and Technology Exposition (800, THE-IACP; www.theiacp.org)
10/30-31/02 Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forum, San Francisco, CA, Federal Transit Administration (transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov))
1/11-15/04 Transportation Research Board 83rd Annual Meeting,, Washington, DC (202, 334-2934; Fax: 334-2003)
10/30-11/3/04 111th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference: Law Enforcement Education and Technology Exposition (800, THE IACP; www.theiacp.org)
1/9-13/05 Transportation Research Board 84th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (202, 334-2934; Fax: 334-2003)
7/22/02 System Security Awareness for Transit Employees and Security Incident Management for Transit Supervisors, Columbus, OH, National Transit Institute (732, 932-1700, ext. 31; Fax: 932-1707; safety@nti.rutgers.edu)
7/26/02 System Security Awareness for Transit Employees and Security Incident Management for Transit Supervisors, Houston, TX, National Transit Institute (732, 932-1700, ext. 31; Fax: 932-1707; safety@nti.rutgers.edu)
7/29/02 System Security Awareness for Transit Employees and Security Incident Management for Transit Supervisors, Norfolk, VA, National Transit Institute (732, 932-1700, ext. 31; Fax: 932-1707; safety@nti.rutgers.edu)
8/5-9/02 Homeland Defense, Shepherdstown, WV, Eastern Management Development Center (304, 870-8000; Fax: 80-8001; register@opm.gov)
8/7-8/02 Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction, Phoenix, AZ, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
8/8-9/02 Communications Infrastructure Disaster Preparedness, UCLA Extension (310, 206-2815, or 206-3223; www.uclaextension.org/shortcourses)
8/9/02 System Security Awareness for Transit Employees and Security Incident Management for Transit Supervisors, Concord, CA, National Transit Institute (732, 932-1700, ext. 31; Fax: 932-1707; safety@nti.rutgers.edu)
8/`2/02 System Security Awareness for Transit Employees and Security Incident Management for Transit Supervisors, Tacoma, WA, National Transit Institute (732, 932-1700, ext. 31; Fax: 932-1707; safety@nti.rutgers.edu)
8/12-16/02 Transit System Security, San Juan, PR, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
8/21-23/02 Integrated Microfluidic Systems for Biochemical Analysis, UCLA Extension (310, 206-2815, or 206-3223; www.uclaextension.org/shortcourses)
8/26/02 System Security Awareness for Transit Employees and Security Incident Management for Transit Supervisors, St. Louis, MO, National Transit Institute (732, 932-1700, ext. 31; Fax: 932-1707; safety@nti.rutgers.edu)
8/26-30/02 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies (closed to outside participants), Bayamon, PR, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
9/4/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijackings Seminar, Seattle, WA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
9/5/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijackings Seminar, Seattle, WA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
9/9/02 System Security Awareness for Transit Employees and Security Incident Management for Transit Supervisors, Buffalo, NY, National Transit Institute (732, 932-1700, ext. 31; Fax: 932-1707; safety@nti.rutgers.edu)
9/11-13/02 X-Ray Imaging, UCLA Extension at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA (310, 206-2815, or 206-3223; www.uclaextension.org/shortcourses)
9/9-12/02 National Security Policy, Denver, CO, Western Management Development Center (303, 672-1010; Fax: 671-1018; register@opm.gov)
9/9-13/02 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, Lexington, KY, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
9-19 National Security Policy, Denver, CO, Western Management Development Center (303, 671-1010; Fax: 671, 1018; register@opm.gov)
9/23-25/02 3D Modeling and Reconstruction from Video, UCLA Extension (310, 206-2815, or 206-3223; www.uclaextension.org/shortcourses)
9/23-27/02 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, Phoenix, AZ, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
10/07/02 System Security Awareness for Transit Employees and Security Incident Management for Transit Supervisors, Milwaukee, WI, National Transit Institute (732, 932-1700, ext. 31; Fax: 932-1707; safety@nti.rutgers.edu)
10/21/02 System Security Awareness for Transit Employees and Security Incident Management for Transit Supervisors, Long Beach, CA, National Transit Institute (732, 932-1700, ext. 31; Fax: 932-1707; safety@nti.rutgers.edu)
11/13/02 System Security Awareness for Transit Employees and Security Incident Management for Transit Supervisors, Tampa, FL, National Transit Institute (732, 932-1700, ext. 31; Fax: 932-1707; safety@nti.rutgers.edu)
Let Us Hear From You. If you have any activities that would be of interest regarding transit security, a staff member whom you want to commend for some outstanding or heroic action, or just about anything dealing with transit security, please let us hear from you. Fax your material to the number below--we will find a place for it in the newsletter.
Address Corrections. If you note any inaccuracies on the address label, please fax or E-mail corrections to the number below along with your phone and Fax numbers and E-mail address.
Note: Information for this newsletter may be sent to Edith Rodano, Office of Safety and Security, Federal Transit Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D. C. 20590 (202, 366-0191; Fax: 366-7951) or Edith.Rodano@fta.dot.gov by August 15, 2002.