TSA Weekly, June 8 - 12, 2009
- Practices at Work…
- Supervisor Engages Passenger Carrying Suspicious Object
- ENGAGE! in Action at California’s Bob Hope Airport
News
June 14-20 TSA will recognize Safety Week, involving employees across the country and sharing helpful information on health lifestyle practices through the use of agency-wide messages, iShare videos and local activities. Read more. Stock photo image
Practices at Work…
Practices at Work highlights Evolution sustainment practices created by and for field employees and taken from a catalog of Evolution field practices.
This week’s installment, Evolution Trivia, is from Houston’s TSA George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The practice involves randomly quizzing officers based on information from the ENGAGE! and COACH! curriculum.
To view the submission, go to the iShare home page, click on the Offices tab at the top and select Security Operations. Then click Evolution Field Practices on the left-side menu.
Engage the Evolution team with your questions and suggestions at CheckpointEvolution@dhs.gov.
Supervisor Engages Passenger Carrying Suspicious Object
By Adana Conway, Expert Behavior Detection Officer, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Supervisory TSO Bruce Slifer and TSO Marlene Moreland Photo courtesy of TSA Seattle-Tacoma
Evolution training was on display at Seattle-Tacoma International when an officer engaged a passenger who arrived at checkpoint screening with an unusual item packed inside his bag.
Last month, while on the X-ray, TSO Marlene Moreland was routinely inspecting images of passengers’ carry-on items when she came to a cluttered bag with a knife-like image. She called for a bag check. Supervisory TSO Bruce Slifer took a look at the image that had caught Moreland’s eye and greeted the male passenger. When the passenger confirmed the bag was his, Slifer took him to a nearby table to begin processing, explaining along the way what was happening.
Slifer found a laptop and continued to search for the item he had seen on the X-ray. What he found was nothing like what he or Moreland had seen on the screen. It was a beautiful mounted ceremonial saber.
"I watched as he [Slifer] removed the saber from the bag," Moreland said. "His whole demeanor had a tone of respect, his voice, eye contact, you name it."
Slifer asked the passenger about the saber. He said it was presented to him while he was serving in the Marines. Slifer thanked the young man for his service to the country.
Moreland said Slifer took time to carefully inspect the saber and ensure there was no edge to its blade. He continued to talk with the passenger, asking him questions that kept the conversation moving. After he was satisfied, he allowed the passenger to take it with him and continue through security.
"It was so like Bruce [Slifer] to ask the right questions and to listen to what this young man was saying to him," Moreland said. "He is what ENGAGE! and COACH! is all about. He is Security Evolution in action."
When asked later about the encounter, Slifer shrugged and grinned. "I just did what I needed to do," he said. "This passenger wasn’t a threat, nor was that award. It was no big deal."
ENGAGE! in Action at California’s Bob Hope Airport
By Joe Mills, Integrated Conflict Management System Coordinator, Bob Hope Airport (Burbank, Calif.)
TSO Dan Felix Photo by Oscar Cruz
Three Bob Hope Airport officers, who have been with TSA since the airport federalized in 2002, demonstrated ENGAGE! skills when they teamed up to identify a passenger found carrying illegal drugs with a street value of more than $40,000.
As TSO Dan Felix worked the walk-through metal detector at a checkpoint, he noticed a young man acting differently than other passengers. The man, wearing baggy pants and appearing sweaty and nervous, was spending inordinate time watching officers rather than paying attention to his property.
When the passenger approached, Felix began to ENGAGE! him and perform a pat-down. Felix discovered what felt like hard packages on his upper legs, which the passenger claimed was only his shorts.
Supervisory TSO Karen Edmonston directed the passenger to secondary screening by Felix and Lead TSO John Intal. The officers continued to ENGAGE! the passenger, who changed his story and then unwrapped a bandage on his leg to reveal plastic bags containing what appeared to be a powdery substance.
Law enforcement was called and determined the substance was approximately a kilogram of methamphetamines. The man was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine.
“An engaged workforce, with instincts honed by years of experience at TSA, yielded astounding results that help make it safer for all passengers,“ said Acting FSD Geoff Shearer.
News
Diversity Advisory Council Yields Results Across TSA
By Christine Griggs, Deputy FSD, Philadelphia International Airport, and Chair, Communications Committee, Diversity Advisory Council
Graphic by Brigitte Dittberner
In coming weeks, employees will have an opportunity to apply to participate on TSA’s next Diversity Advisory Council (DAC). Committed to a diverse workforce, TSA launched a "Building and Maintaining Diversity at TSA" initiative in 2007 to create, develop, and retain a diverse and highly skilled workforce at all levels. As part of that, TSA established the DAC to provide ideas and guidance on diversity-related activities and efforts.
Since the launch, memorable and key milestones have been achieved. Accomplishments include approval of the DAC charter; providing guidance for TSA’s first annual Diversity Day; key recommendations to leadership on ways to improve diversity across TSA; and piloting diversity training that enables leaders to develop an action plan for a more diverse workforce.
Specifically, TSA senior leadership adopted two key DAC recommendations:
- Include diversity as a critical element of the performance objectives for non-Transportation Security Executive Service and non-Performance Accountability and Standards System employees (already included in Senior Executive Service performance objectives).
- Provide diversity training for senior level and hiring officials so that they can:
- possess and share a common understanding of TSA’s definition of diversity;
- understand the importance of diversity at TSA;
- evaluate the diversity health of their local organizations;
- develop a plan for communicating the value of diversity and the necessary steps for improving the diversity and inclusion of their local organizations; and
- recognize the importance of building an environment that is conducive to maximizing diversity and the rich talents of our workforce.
The pilot training workshop, Diversity: A Key Element of Talent Management, was initially held at headquarters in 2008. Since then, the course has also been offered at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental and Los Angeles International airports.
After attending a diversity training session, Art Meinke, Deputy Area Director for the South Central Area, called the training "beneficial" for his area airports as well as all of TSA. "The information we learned will be useful to promote diversity in my area."
Look for a broadcast message next week with additional information on the application process.
Safety Week 2009 to Launch TSA-Wide
By Andy Szul, Office of Strategic Communications/Public Affairs
TSA will recognize Safety Week June 14-20, focusing on a variety of occupational health issues and concerns through agency-wide messages, iShare videos and local airport activities.
Featured occupational health issues include foot care; how to maintain a healthy back; germs and blood-borne pathogens in the workplace; heat stress; and healthy lifestyle practices such as stress reduction, adequate sleep, proper diet and regular exercise.
Each day during Safety Week, a message will be sent to senior leaders with information for use in local safety briefings. Additionally, three videos that cover related topics will be posted and available on iShare.
The first video, Overview of Occupational Health and Wellness at TSA, features Chief of Staff Art Macias on occupational health, wellness and the value of staying healthy. The second video, Avoiding Heat Stress, offers ways for employees to stay cool while working in hot environments. The third video, Building and Maintaining a Healthy Back, covers proper lifting procedures and tips for keeping your back healthy.
Since TSA’s inception, the Office of Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE) has worked toward reducing employee injuries by implementing occupational safety and health programs. “Presenting programs to encourage healthier lifestyles is key to protecting employees as they carry out their crucial security missions, said Jill Segraves, Director, OSHE. ”Safety Week 2009 is one such program that promotes health and wellness across TSA.”
A pocket calendar through 2010 that incorporates the "I've Got Your Back!" campaign has been sent to TSA field locations for employees. For additional information, visit the iShare homepage.
TSA Cleveland Recognizes Military in Special Way
By Doug Koman, Stakeholder Manager, and Tom Cianciolo, Program Analyst, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
From left, FSD Michael Young; TSA Cleveland Honor Guard TSOs Gary Ickowicz, Christine Vankeuren; Supervisory TSO Asa Knowles; TSOs Dave Morton, Ron Terrill; Lead TSOs Olen Cook and Karen Budnik; TSOs Christopher Piazza, Anna McCready; and LTSO Antonio Miles. Not pictured, LTSO Margarita Capeles and TSO Scott Luinski. Photo by Larry Enochs
The Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Honor Guard recently presented a Certificate of Appreciation and a check for $400 to Lead TSO Karen Budnik and TSO Ron Terrill to support a program the officers developed to support active duty military personnel.
The program, Thanks for Serving America, provides amenity kits with candy and gum to military personnel traveling through the airport. Since July 4, 2008, Cleveland TSOs have handed out more than 5,000 kits.
Col. John Lendrum, Army Reserve, who recently went through the airport and received a care package from a TSA employee, said he appreciated the effort. “TSA employees have demonstrated that they are special and place soldiers in high regard. I congratulate them for the effort and hope that they can continue with this in the future."
FSD Michael Young recognized Budnik and Terrill with a Special Achievement Award, saying they “have given the entire Cleveland Team and me a great sense of pride with this initiative, which has been embraced by the workforce in recognition of our traveling members of the armed services."
IT Security Awareness Day Urges Information Protection
By Nicole Raymond, Office of Information Technology
From left, Dr. Emma Garrison-Alexander, Assistant Administrator, IT; Victor Duca-Cora and Kelley Bray, both with FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act) Training and Compliance; Rich Smith, Chief Information Security Officer; and Jill Vaughan, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer. Photo by Nicole Raymond
Protecting information — both personal and professional — was the central focus of TSA's Information Technology Security Awareness Day, held June 10 at headquarters. Sponsored by the Office of Information Technology's IT Security Division, the event offered security tips, brochures, flyers and other valuable reference information. The event coincides with the launch of IT Security Travel Kits, which will be distributed to field locations by IT Security Audit and Security Test and Evaluation teams during scheduled visits. "Successful information protection begins with education," said Chief Information Security Officer Richard Smith. "IT Security Awareness Day and the IT Security Travel Kits are significant parts of our campaign to bring that valuable information to our employees."
This Week’s Featured Local Newsletter
The Patriot, an employee newsletter published by Pennsylvania TSA employees at Pittsburgh International, Erie International, Bradford Regional, Dubois-Jefferson County, Venango Regional, Westmoreland County and Johnstown-Cambria County airports, provides a collection of workfoce, security and recognition stories. With a table of contents on the cover page that highlights main topics and an easy-to-follow layout, the May issue informs and entertains. Several stories that stand out include Dynamic Security on TSA’s overall security structure, Officer in the Spotlight and IT Security. The issue also features a photo of the newsletter staff (page 10).
An archive of featured newsletters is available on iShare in the Communications Central section, which is linked from the home page. In the same section, the DHS branding guideline document is available in PDF for download. The DHS branding guideline helps ensure consistency in imagery, color, and appearance of all Department publications.
Kudos & Clips
TSO Denise Grant and Lead TSO John Majewski were the most pleasant people in the TSA that I’ve met. Very personable and professional at the same time. … I’m from Texas and it is such a pleasure to fly back to the South from the other states. No one takes the time anymore to say hello like we do. I appreciate all of your hard work keeping us safe.
Apolonio Romero Jr., Arlington, Texas, to Jennifer Smith, Customer Service and Quality Improvement Manager, Charleston (S.C.) International Airport, April 23, 2009.
Flying? No Nicknames, Please
By Susan Stellin, The New York Times, June 9, 2009
The Transportation Security Administration is getting ready to take over responsibility from the airlines for checking passengers' names against terrorist watch lists, and is advising travelers to start booking airline tickets using their full name as it appears on their driver's license or passport. Read more.
Airport Workers Were Greatly Kind
Letter from Sharon Watson, North Bend, Ore., The World, June 9, 2009
There has been a lot of negative news about the airport in the last few months, so I felt I had to write this letter to let the public know of extraordinary events I witnessed at the airport on May 22. Read more.
E-mail your comments and suggestions.
