years as a result of recommendations by the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security, the Security Baseline Working <strong>Group</strong> of the Aviation Security Advisory committee, and the events of September 11, 2001. The program is the largest explosives detection canine program in the federal government. TSA’s VIPR teams utilize preventative radiological nuclear detection [PRND] equipment to protect the public throughout the transportation domain. PRND equipment is used to detect gamma and neutron radiation in radioactive material. PRND tools are deployed to all VIPR teams for use in exercises and operations nationwide. The radioisotope identifier [RIID] utilized by the VIPR teams identifies specific radio nuclides present in radioactive material. RIID transfers radionuclide information to offsite technical experts to assist in adjudication. The technical expertise and support is provided by Customs and <strong>Border</strong> Protection’s Laboratories and Scientific Service. Q: Can you describe some of the challenges faced by TSA’s law enforcement? A: TSA’s Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service confronts new challenges daily. Terrorists continue to evolve and improve their use of technology, tactics and strategies, as recently noted by the failed attempt to modify an explosive device placed in underwear. In an effort to combat new and emerging threats, the law enforcement and intelligence communities must closely coordinate in order to stay a step ahead of our adversaries. OLE/FAMS utilizes information from its law enforcement partners and the intelligence community, via TSA’s Office of Intelligence and FAMS’ own Information Coordination Section, to ensure current and relevant intelligence is communicated and discussed prior to operational missions. Intelligence and law enforcement information gathered is closely reviewed and tactics and mission scheduling are reviewed, modified and executed to enhance the effectiveness and success of federal air marshals onboard aircraft. Expert intelligence analysis and proper training allow FAMS to have the greatest impact securing our nation’s transportation domain, despite having limited resources. Q: How do you foresee the law enforcement programs expanding over the next five years? A: The federal government faces a unique challenge with respect to managing resources within today’s economic environment. However, in fiscal year 2011, FAMS received a budget increase of approximately $100 million to hire several hundred more federal air marshals. This hiring initiative allowed us to enhance mission coverage and confirmed the important role FAMS plays in securing the nation’s transportation domain. I believe it is also an indication that our dedicated, professional workforce is well respected and a necessary element ensuring the safety of the traveling public. Additionally, Congress recently approved funding for several additional VIPR teams for some of our field offices. Though it has become evident that terrorists remain intent on attacking aircraft, I believe the enhancements to our VIPR program indicate that, as an organization, efforts to detect, deter and defeat terrorist activities cannot be onedimensional. I believe our law enforcement role within the transportation domain will continue to utilize resources as effectively as possible and remain flexible and adapt to any threat. Q: How are federal air marshals equipped to protect the flying public? 6 | BCD 1.1 A: Federal air marshals are law enforcement professionals, continuously trained to protect not only the flying public, but those within all modes of transportation. It should not be forgotten, that in addition to federal air marshals, TSA employs approximately 50,000 transportation security officers, 2,800 behavior detection officers, more than 460 bomb appraisal officers and thousands of federal flight deck officers [FFDOs]. This multi-layered approach to security ensures the greatest protection to the traveling public. The FFDO program is run exclusively by FAMS. Pilots who participate in the FFDO program do so strictly on a volunteer basis. Under the FFDO program, eligible flight crewmembers are authorized by TSA to use firearms to defend against an act of criminal violence or air piracy, in which an attempt is made to gain control of the aircraft. A flight crewmember may be a pilot, flight engineer or navigator assigned to the flight. In December 2003, President George W. Bush signed into legislation expanded program eligibility to include cargo pilots and certain other flight crewmembers. In February 2004, TSA began accepting applications online from cargo pilots and conducted a prototype class in April 2004. This followed a similar process used to establish the FFDO program for commercial passenger airline pilots. FFDOs are trained in use of firearms, use of force, legal issues, defensive tactics, the psychology of survival and program standard operating procedures. FFDO training is conducted in state-ofthe-art facilities at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center facility in Artesia, N.M. The training program is approximately 54 hours in length and is taught over a six-day period. At the completion of training, FFDOs are issued a TSA firearm and FFDO credentials. Q: Is there anything else you would like to say that I have not asked? A: The Federal Air Marshal Service has existed in its current state since shortly after September 11, 2001. Our employees are the most dedicated professionals I have ever worked with, who perform a difficult mission. When you think of FAMS, you think of the men and women operating in a semi-covert capacity onboard aircraft throughout the world. We recognize that the job these men and women do is the lifeblood of this organization and work to support them in every facet possible. Additionally, as with any organization, there are individuals behind the scenes that help to make the mission a success. Our mission support personnel are some of our most valuable assets. Without their assistance, we would cease to function as an effective organization and could not be successful in protecting the traveling public. Furthermore, the relationships that we have established with airline and airport stakeholders, as well as countless other transportation security partners, both domestically and internationally, have been instrumental in accomplishing our mission. Our partners play an integral role in securing the safety of the traveling public. Their experience is valued and respected and cannot be replaced. I should conclude by reiterating that the role of federal air marshals is one of many layers within TSA’s risk-based security program. We operate in conjunction with thousands of TSA employees, dedicated and charged with the mission of protecting the traveling public. Like a chain, any weak link can potentially lead to a break and threaten the safety and security of the traveling public. We work together to ensure all links are secure and reinforced. O www.BCD-kmi.com
www.BCD-kmi.com aDvanCes on multiple fRonts. By H.R. Hogan BCD CoRResponDent Most hazardous materials, or hazmat, responses involve everyday accidents: fuel or chemical spills from overturned trucks, natural gas leaks from ruptured lines, or mercury rolling free of containers. As head of the hazmat response team for the fire department of Houston, the nation’s fourth largest city and second busiest port, Troy Lilley has learned that approaching any of these seemingly known materials has to be done carefully. BCD 1.1 | 7
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