The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently released this report in cooperation with a variety of stakeholders which provides information and guidance on preparedness, prevention, and response activities to strengthen the public spaces of transportation venues. While the focus of the document is on airports, the information in the document is great not only across all transportation venues, but other public spaces as well. I think there are great takeaways for other areas of vulnerability, such as malls, convention centers, event spaces, and others.
To be honest, there is nothing particularly earthshattering in this document. The document is brief and identifies a number of best practices across emergency management and homeland security which will help agencies and organizations prevent, protect, prepare, and respond to threats, particularly attacks. That said, the document does accomplish providing concise information in one document on key activities that absolutely should be considered by entities which control public-access spaces. I would also suggest that this document is still 100% relevant to those which have some access controls or entry screenings.
Information in the document is segmented into three key tenets: Information Sharing, Attack Prevention, and Infrastructure and Public Protection. Within these tenets are found recommendations such as relationship building, communication strategies, vulnerability assessments, operations centers, planning, training, and exercises. Most of the recommendations provide examples or leading best practices (although no links or sources of additional information, which is a bit disappointing).
The framework is worth a look and can probably serve as an early foundation of activity for those who haven’t yet done much to prepare their spaces for an attack.
© 2017 – Timothy Riecker, CEDP
The Contrarian Emergency Manager 