HOUSTON ASIS CHAPTER MINUTES

October 30, 2002

 

The Chapter held a luncheon meeting at the Renaissance Hotel.  Chairman Mike Mason CPP presided.  Seventy-nine members and guests attended.

 

Opening and Pledge of Allegiance: Mike Mason and Mike Crocker, CPP

 

Law Enforcement Recognition Award

Frederick Hall is a Houston ASIS Scholarship Recipient and recent honors graduate of the U of HD Academy.  He was introduced by Ernest Nicely, Evening Coordinator for the Academy.  Fred is described as an exceptional cadet and immediate standout.  He graduated with a 97.3% GPA and achieved a perfect score on three of his exams.  He earned all three gold star academic awards for his class in spite of working for Continental Airlines and with the Humble Police Department while attending school. 

 

Training: Mike Mason

·        Houston ASIS is one of the sponsors for a Homeland Defense Training Program offered through the U of HD.  The goal for the grant was to provide one training session with approximately 50 attendees.  It grew to a 3-part program; Chemical Plant Areas was held at Equistar on October 22 with 102 participants.  On 11/19, Space Center Houston is the location for Large Entertainment Venues; and 12/2 Marathon Oil is hosting Oil Refining Areas.  The seminar is free to Law Enforcement Officers and $10.00 per seminar for Private Security Professionals.  Please reference the web page for more information.  TCLEOSE and TCPS credits.

·        Houston ASIS is helping to sponsor a seminar called The Art of Profiling: Random Actor Terrorism presented by Dan Korem of Korem & Associates.  Dan was a speaker at the training program offered during the May meeting.  It will be held at the Houston Baptist University on November 13 & 14.  Please reference the web page for more information.  Special price for ASIS members.

 

Business Activities:

Treasurer’s report:  Bob Cascino reports that all outstanding bills are paid.  The Executive Committee voted to create a $25/year membership fee for the Houston Chapter.  This nominal charge will help offset the overhead costs for the luncheons and communication-related expenses..  Invoices will be mailed shortly, with payment due by February 1st.  Houston ASIS Chapter members will continue to pay $20/lunch with reservation; non-Houston and non-ASIS members will pay $25 with reservation and all walk-ups will pay $30.  This special discount will also apply to special activities, such as CPP review classes and seminars.

MEETINGS:  Due to the holidays, the November and December meetings will be held one week earlier: November 20 and December 18.

CPP: Mike Mason announced 5 more members passed the CPP.

Elections:  Mark Curran has agreed to be the Nomination/Election Chairman.  The presented slate of candidates is:

·      Chairman: Mike Crocker, CPP

·      Vice-Chairman: Mark Steinfort

·      Treasurer: Bob Cascino

·      Secretary: Pamela Duncan

Nominations will be taken from the floor prior to the election.  You must present your current ASIS membership card to receive a ballot.

 

Speaker: Mark Mancuso, Deputy Director of Aviation, Public Safety Division,

 Houston Airport System

 

Mr. Mancuso retired after serving 31 years with the Houston Police Department.  The last 18 years, he was the Captain stationed at Bush Airport (IAH).  After September 11th, airport security’s focus radically changed.   Mr. Mancuso was approached last March to head a totally new division with the goal of coordinating security policies and procedures for the Houston Airport System.  The Public Safety Division is responsible for all police, fire and security-related issues.

 

The City of Houston owns three Houston airports, IAH (Cat X), Hobby (Cat 1) and Ellington Field (Cat 4), which is known as the Houston Airport System.   Twenty-five Domestic and Foreign airlines serve the two major Houston airports.   It is the 4th largest airport system in the U.S.  In 1970, there were only two terminals at IAH.  Now, it is the 7th busiest airport in the U.S with four terminals and a fifth under construction.  There is a new Federal Inspection building and a third parallel runway under construction, with a fourth runway planned.  Once completed, it will be the only airport with five simultaneous operations.  Hobby Airport is also growing and is the 40th busiest airport with over 10 million passengers annually.  Southwest Airlines is expanding their operation to 26 gates.  Ellington Field is for general aviation.

 

After September 11, several major changes came to aviation safety:

·        The Aviation and Transportation Security Act was enacted and administered by the ATSA.

·        The FAA became responsible for hiring the baggage screeners by 11/19/2002. 

·        By 12/31/2002, all checked luggage must be screened for explosives in addition to carry-on.

·        No vehicles may park within 300 feet of the terminal and no unattended vehicles.

·        Enhanced flight deck integrity (doors and locks)

·        Flight Crew threat training

·        Special security precautions on flights to special locations (such as D.C.)

·        It has cost $1 million a month in OT for HPD.

 

Security audits have been conducted and new procedures are being implemented for:

·        Fuel Farm Protection (Perimeter protection

·        Cargo Areas

·        Central Plant and Utilities

·        Catering Access Areas

·        Terminal Buildings: public and sterile access control

·        Vehicle access

 

The first step taken by Mr. Mancuso was the development of a Security RFQ:

·        Perform an assessment and vulnerability study

·        Prioritize weakness and vulnerabilities

·        Develop a Master Plan

·        Develop the project and perform Project Management for

1.      Universal badge system

2.      Controlled access

3.      Standard Operating Procedures

4.      Personnel and Security Staffing

5.      New screening procedures for all areas

6.      Communication systems

7.      Monitoring systems

8.      Command Center

9.      Centralized Warehouse for deliverables

10.  Ground Transportation System

11.  Creating Security Zones

12.  Construction projects to include a security review to ensure consistent and compatible systems

The resulting goals are:

·        Changes in the Facility

·        Changes in the Methodology

·        Changes in Perception (do you “feel” secure?)

·        Changes in the Public Attitude

·        Changes in the Screener’s Attitude (patriotism, pride in the job, quality of the candidate, better training and customer service)

 

After a question and answer period, Mr. Mancuso was given a plaque in appreciation for his time and presentation.

 

The next meeting is THE THIRD WEDNESDAY in November due to the holidays.  We will be meeting at the Renaissance Hotel on November 20 at 11:30.  Our speaker is the Assistant US Attorney for the Joint Task Force.