Deadline nears for security law affecting scheduled and fixed routes

Are you Security Law compliant? The 9/11 Commission Act mandated that if you have a fixed route or scheduled service to any one of 11 major cities (New York, Newark, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego or San Francisco) you should have submitted some mandatory information to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) by June 21, 2021. 

Additionally, you must train most of your employees on security awareness by the summer of 2022, based on new security requirements.

To meet requirements of the 9/11 Commission Act (49 CFR Part 1584 Over the Road Bus Security Training for Surface Transportation Employees) the TSA has mandated that companies with fixed route or scheduled service to one of the cities listed above must submit details of their mandatory security program to the TSA by June 21. 

The new law mandates that operators confirm their understanding of the law and supply detailed information on four major areas: 

1. Selection of a Security Coordinator. 
2. Security Training Plan.
3. Security Lesson Plans. 
4. A Security Program. 

To assist you, the TSA has developed an 18-page checklist on what is required and a 30-page Training Program Sample on how they want the information presented. This will ensure you meet all the requirements of the law.  

Please contact me at MikeL@cateyes.us if you would like the two free documents. I will email them to you. They can assist you in meeting the mandates of the law on your own or I can assist you in developing your program. Listed below are the four areas that should be reported to the TSA by June 21. Even if you are late, there are no fines or penalties as of now.

Four parts of a Security Program required by TSA

1. Security coordinator and alternate security coordinator: The company will supply contact information for the two employees to perform these duties, as well as confirmation that the two identified employees will: 
   1. Protect security-sensitive items.
   2. Report suspicious activity to the Transportation Security Operations Center within 24 hours.
   3. Establish plans and procedures on how to implement any changes in the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) when directed by the TSA.
   4. Be reachable any time by the TSA 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
2. Security training plan: The plan will include the following 
   1. Company’s plan on how to conduct training for employees.
   2. A plan to determine training effectiveness.
   3. A complete list of which employees are considered “security sensitive.”
   4. Confirmation that all employees who are “security sensitive” must be security trained as soon as possible and then once every three years to remain current.
   5. A plan to retain training records and keep courseware current and up to date.

NOTE: Security sensitive employees are considered any individuals who operate a vehicle, inspect and maintain vehicles, building or transportation infrastructure, control dispatch or movement of a vehicle, provide security of the equipment and property, load or unload cargo or baggage, interact with the traveling public (onboard a vehicle or within a transportation facility), and/or assist with compliance of security programs or measures, including those required by federal laws.

• Security lesson plans: Clear and concise lesson plans that include learning objectives, specific learning activities, methods to assess students’ understanding, lesson timeline and lesson closure. The lesson plans will cover 17 checklist items provided by the TSA in the areas of Security Preparation, Observation, Assessment and Response.  
• Security program: A security program that addresses specific procedures, measures or other aspects of security or emergency response planning implemented by the owner/operator. The security training program will address the following areas: 
• Procedures to prevent and detect unauthorized access to restricted areas.
• Procedures to notify all employees of changes in alert level status and implement specific actions.
• Coordinated response plans for a terrorist threat, attack or other transportation security-related incident.
• Evacuation and communication plans that include individuals with disabilities.
• Measures to address weaknesses in emergency response procedures identified during regular drills.
• Redundant and backup systems to ensure the continuity of operations of critical assets.