Tips for protecting your facilities from terrorist attack.
Tips are provided by a counterterrorism expert with respect to "hardening" targets against terrorist attacks. Expert is available to assist with your feature stories.
(PRWEB) February 12, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Ross D. Bulla, CPP
President
The Treadstone Group, Inc.
3272 Lakeshore Road South
Denver, North Carolina 28037-8232
Telephone: 704-489-8663
Fax: 704-489-8237
Pager: 704-521-0296
Email: bulla@treadstone. biz
ADVISORY SYSTEM MAY BE RAISED TO THREAT CONDITION ORANGE (HIGH).
Charlotte, NC - February 6, 2003 - With Sunday's start of Hajj, a Muslim holy period, there is a growing concern about potential terror attacks on US soil. Federal agents have been told to pack and prepare for a month's deployment.
"The Hajj, or pilgrimage to Makkah is a central duty of Islam whose origins date back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH). It brings together Muslims of all races and tongues for one of life's most moving spiritual experiences. For 14 centuries, countless millions of Muslims, men and women from all over the world, have made the pilgrimage to Makkah, the birthplace of Islam. In carrying out this obligation, they fulfill one of the five "pillars" of Islam, or central religious duties of the believer." (Source: http://www. ummah. org. uk/hajj (http://www. ummah. org. uk/hajj))
Should the Department of Homeland Security (www. dhs. gov) raise the current threat level, it would seemingly increase to a High Condition (Orange), though it might be elevated to Severe Condition (Red). If this happens, what are American businesses and government agencies to do? The Treadstone Group offers ten measures that should be considered in response to a HIGH threat condition. These tips appear, following the information provided by the DHS below.
According to the DHS, "A High Condition is declared when there is a high risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:
Coordinating necessary security efforts with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies or any National Guard or other appropriate armed forces organizations;
Taking additional precautions at public events and possibly considering alternative venues or even cancellation;
Preparing to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an alternate site or dispersing their workforce; and
Restricting threatened facility access to essential personnel only."
We offer the following tips for American business and government facilities:
1. Reduce the number of facility entrances, both vehicular and pedestrian, to the absolute minimum that can be positively controlled by security personnel, and physical and electronic security systems.
2. Conduct security screening of vehicles and visitors as remotely as possible. (At a minimum, visually inspect storage and passenger compartments, and limit adjacent parking to those persons having a corporate ID. Screen visitors by requiring a valid, government-issued ID, having them register as they arrive and depart, wear a visitor pass, and be escorted by their employee host. Hand-carried items and bulky clothing should be removed and inspected.)
3. Enforce a standoff zone of 100' to 300' feet, using bollards, barriers and barricades. Temporarily blocking potential access points with heavy equipment and large vehicles is an alternative, though they should be parked parallel to the route to resist ramming. Even minimal standoff zones will reduce the impact of an explosive device. This can sometimes be accomplished by prohibiting parking in the most adjacent spaces (curbside, front rows, street, etc.).
4. Schedule all deliveries in advance, providing the vendor and their drivers with a unique code word or password, which should be printed on their manifests for comparison by the customers' security or receiving personnel. Refuse all non-scheduled deliveries.
5. Review current emergency policies and procedures and business continuity and recovery plans to ensure that they remain effective and well rehearsed. Update lists of persons requiring evacuation assistance and their work locations.
6. To expedite mass evacuations, building owners and managers should practice evacuations in darkness, using only emergency power. This will allow them to identify obstacles and choke points that impede or slow escape. Improvements that will help facilitate an evacuation include additional battery powered emergency lights; glow-in-the-dark instructional and directional signage; high visibility, light colored paint on walls; glow-in-the-dark paint on handrails and a continuous stripe down the middle of staircases; and the installation of a public address system in the stairwells. Consideration should be given to the exit location of stairwells. Stairs should avoid ending in the lobby; rather, they should exit to the street or other protected structure.
7. Identify primary and secondary evacuation routes and muster points, in the event that one or more routes become damaged, blocked or destroyed. Try to evacuate in a direction opposite of the threat, whether at your facility or another location along the evacuation route.
8. Nearly all terrorist attacks are preceded by surveillance and dry-runs at the target, often over several weeks or months. Training security and law enforcement personnel in counter-surveillance techniques is an important part of the security envelope. Attention should be paid to persons that seemingly have an unusual interest in the facility, particularly those persons who may videotape or photograph the site.
9. Meet with local, state and federal law enforcement agency administrators, fire and emergency medical authorities, emergency management, and other responding agencies. Pre-plan and coordinate the most effective and expeditious response to your facilities.
10. An independent security assessment and survey should be conducted at all government and private facilities. To avoid the perception of bias, government employees (law enforcement or risk managers) or contract security vendors (guard services and systems installers) should not undertake the official analysis. Outside experts unaffiliated with security vendors should be retained to provide an objective evaluation of security policies, procedures, and practices; in turn, making recommendations to enhance the security posture. The expertise, continuing education requirements, and demonstrated competency in the areas of security solutions and best-business practices through an intensive qualification and testing program make hiring a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) obligatory.
ADDITIONAL TIPS ARE AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING US.
Although a terror attack is virtually impossible to prevent, basic security practices, combined with target hardening, can significantly reduce damage, injuries, and fatalities. Pre-planning emergency response and responder safety is critical to the successful management of a terrorist incident, no matter the type. Life safety is the first priority, followed by the protection of property and the preservation of evidence. These actions may not prevent a terrorist attack, but the most certainly will help to mitigate disastrous results.
The Treadstone Group provides security consultation and
Investigative services to corporations, law firms, building
Owners and managers, government agencies, and private
Clients managing significant risks, worldwide.
Experts that are Board Certified in Security
Management and practiced in complex, international
Investigations offer innovative solutions for protecting
People, property, and information. From assessing physical
Security and counterterrorism or providing crisis response and
Consequence management, to solving and resolving intellectual
Property rights infringements, fraud, or the inappropriate
Pursuit of public figures, The Treadstone Group mitigates risks
In a changing world.
Accessibility is a unique and important aspect of The
Treadstone Group services. Our expertise is available to media
At any time. Such appearances and consultations are free.
For information: www. treadstone. biz or
Contact: bulla@treadstone. biz
Telephone: 704-489-8663
24-hour Pager: 704-521-0296
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