An old proverb counsels, "If you can't change your fate, change your attitude." While the concept of fate is open for philosophical debate, changing a region's attitude is a necessary strategy for revamping transportation counterterrorism today.
The terrorists are out there, and they have time and the element of surprise on their side. While organizations around the world are working feverishly to stop terrorism at its source, we must be prepared here. But how?
Transit systems are favored targets of terrorists. Yet, given the transit mission–to move people and goods as rapidly as possible, through narrowly delineated areas and within specific time frames–heightened security is often an obstacle.
Regardless of size or complexity, though, virtually all transit systems are considered critical infrastructure that must be protected. And these systems are usually connected to other essential urban components. Any comprehensive approach to counterterrorism must reflect that reality.
But the threat environment is constantly changing, with small independent groups and even lone actors now perpetrating attacks. So the threat level remains high for all modes of transportation. Providing safety and security for transportation facilities falls to a diverse array of law enforcement, fire, and health agencies–each with its own objectives and priorities.
Potential attackers are both anonymous and patient. To make matters worse, the targets are difficult to defend, because excessively stringent security can impede the transit mission. And with our history of relatively few terror incidents, we don't have much experience to draw on. So how should we prepare to effectively defend our transportation systems?
There is no single answer that will serve every transit system. But there are strategies that any system can adopt to enhance its counterterrorism effectiveness. And one of those strategies is to recognize and adopt the correct attitude. What I'm talking about is a strategy that has a true understanding that the critical interconnectivity of the transit mission simply does not allow for parochialism.
All participants in a region's transportation system must understand that the fight against terrorism requires solid partnerships both within and between the public and private sectors. Those partnerships must include law enforcement, fire, health, and any other agencies that could be involved in disaster response. To succeed, everyone must follow three basic tenets:
Check all egos at the door
Emphasize integration and cooperation
Focus on the ultimate goal.
This multi-layered coordination effort must include security personnel, other first-responders, other system employees, and the public. Agencies must be active participants in an information-sharing network, much like the intelligence fusion centers being created around the country. Agencies should analyze and appropriately share intelligence, discuss best practices, identify gaps or issues, and formulate solutions. Multi-agency working groups must be created to openly address transportation security needs. Agencies should also conduct joint exercises, both at the tabletop and command-post levels, in addition to full field exercises. Such an approach has been successfully implemented in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles metropolitan area harbors virtually every imaginable type of transportation system. Between 140 and 150 law enforcement agencies cover these systems, along with a large network of fire and health agencies and the private sector. Coordination is a daunting task, but it's getting done. One of the critical components for this coordination is the Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC).
Opened in 2006, the intent of the JRIC is to improve collaboration and sharing of intelligence among the various agencies serving a seven-county region and 18 million people surrounding Los Angeles. Even with the assistance of technology, people are the most important element of information sharing. Area working groups have been initiated for the Los Angeles/Long Beach Port complex, Los Angeles International Airport and surrounding airports, and rail transportation facilities. Members of each transportation sector regularly attend meetings with the other groups. Notwithstanding the pride they take in their own agencies and capabilities, all parties seem to recognize the vital role that cooperation plays in preventing or recovering from an attack. And they fully appreciate the contribution transportation systems make to the region's ability to sustain itself. To their great credit, these agencies have recognized the complex nature of the terrorist threat, and have acted proactively and appropriately. And what is true for Los Angeles can be true for the rest of the nation.
September 11, 2001, changed our lives permanently. We have had to discover a new version of "normal," a normal where transportation assets were suddenly targets. Since then, creating and maintaining a safe and secure transit environment has become a constant responsibility. We cannot change that. By improving threat mitigation through proactive intelligence-sharing and cooperative operations–by focusing our attitude–we can make our transit systems as safe and resilient as humanly possible. And we must. Because one thing is certain: the terrorists are out there.
Randy Parsons was formerly a special agent in charge with the FBI's counterterrorism program in Los Angeles. He is now a vice president with DMJM H&N | AECOM, Los Angeles. He can be reached at 714–567–2612 orRandy.Parsons@dmjmhn.aecom.com.
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