ACSG, Inc. - Threat Assessment, ACSG Completes Security Related Assignments for RST and LAN

Threat Assessment, ACSG Completes Security Related Assignments for RST and LAN

Since January, ACSG has completed a “Threat Assessment to Public Safety” for two airports; Lansing, Michigan’s Capital Region Airport and Rochester, Minnesota’s International Airport. These reports included a blast analysis and were submitted in order to reduce or eliminate parking restrictions that were in effect since September 11, 2001. In both instances, the 300’ limitation was lifted and, with minimal restrictions, the airports were able to resume and/or open parking that had previously been closed or restricted.

Although the 300’ limitation was lifted for Category III airports in April, these guidelines can be reinstituted at any time based on threat conditions in the country or in a region of the country. In other words, as an example, should a verifiable threat condition exist in Seattle, the Northwest Region may enforce the parking setback for a time while other regions do not. During meetings in Washington at the end of May, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) representatives indicated to ACSG Vice President Les Conway that airports with approved parking restriction variances would only have to enforce their site specific restrictions as approved in their threat assessment and blast analysis. Airports without an approved threat assessment and blast analysis would be required to follow all TSA guidelines and enforce all restrictions. In this scenario, there is an ultimate and overall benefit for an airport to complete a threat assessment with blast analysis, even though current restrictions have been lifted.

The “Aviation and Transportation Security Act” amended Section 44903 of title 49, United States Code. It now provides for “the operator of an airport” to certify in writing to the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security “that safeguards are in place to sufficiently protect public safety.” Therefore, “any security rule, order, or other directive restricting the parking of passenger vehicles shall not apply at that airport after the applicable time period.”

This Certification by the airport operator requires “consultation with the appropriate State and local law enforcement authorities.” Part of the technical requirement of this threat assessment is to run a “blast analysis”. The blast analysis is a model that must be constructed and implemented with approved software that simulates certain type detonations of different size bombs in the vicinity of a public airport terminal. Depending on the affects of these explosions, site specific restrictions or parking guidelines can be developed for an airport. In some cases, no restrictions at all will be required.

ACSG Associates met with Airport, City, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies to evaluate and quantify a threat level at the Lansing and Rochester airports. Airport operations were reviewed with these agencies as well as recommendations derived to improve the overall surveillance in and around the airport terminals and associated parking. Blast analyses were also conducted. ACSG was able to complete all of the necessary assignments “in house” and submit complete reports within two to three weeks. An added service was ACSG’s follow through at the regional and federal level which gave these airports approval letters from the Federal government for the requested variances within two months.

The benefits of an Airport proceeding with its threat assessment and blast analysis are obvious. The TSA recommends and encourages airports to complete an assessment. Should the threat level rise, preparedness of the airport is paramount. Part of that preparation is an airport specific threat assessment and blast analysis. ACSG Associates thoroughly understand the requirements for completing these projects so that approval is received in a timely manner.

For more information on ACSG’s security related services including blast analysis, threat assessments, terminal evaluations, etc., contact Mr. Les Conway, P.E. at the firm’s Duluth, MN office, (218) 729-0901 or email at lconway@ACSGinc.com.

10-02 Naperville, IL, Duluth, MN