How would you handle a security breach in the airport terminal?

If an incident of this nature were to occur in the United States, the NIMS and ICS protocols will be activated immediately. This type of incident will obviously attract local, State, and federal responses. The NIMS and ICS protocols is very clear on roles and responsibilities given the multi-agency response. The severity and scope of the incident will inform this process. The overall objective of the response will be to identify the threat, isolate it to minimize impact to airport operations and travel safety, and resolve it promptly. Since 9/11, significant efforts have been made nationally to have local, State, and federal law enforcement entities trained on the NIMS and ICS framework based on the All-Hazard Multi-Agencies approach.

Yes, notify all of the appropriate authorities. But immediate focus is search and contain, contain, contain - with concentration on access to key assets and infrastructure. As with an active shooter, you have a very short amount of time to make hard choices based mostly on assumptions. One of these - if the intruder's intent was harm to random travelers and others, that would be the first thing they do in limited time before being confronted by LE. If it's not an active shooter, I recommend assuming something and/or very specific someones are the likely targets.

One thing I have found to be very important when preparing, is to let everyone who is involved know how to respond, who to contact, and make communication devices available to report any item the potentially presents suspicious activity. Communication can’t be allowed to be an issue. Everyone should be briefed beforehand.

Airport Terminal Security Breach Communication Plan Highlights Immediate Notification: Alert airport security, law enforcement, and emergency services upon breach detection. Public Address System (PAS): Inform passengers briefly without causing panic; provide clear instructions. Internal Communication: Detailed updates to staff and stakeholders using radios and intercoms. Social Media & Media: Post updates and initial statements; maintain transparency. Regular Updates: Provide ongoing information to passengers, media, and stakeholders. Post-Incident: Final statement summarizing the incident and response; detailed reports to agencies. Evaluation: Review and update protocols, gather feedback, and improve training programs.

Identify and Assess Threat: Quickly determine the nature and extent of the breach. Alert Authorities: Notify airport security, law enforcement, and emergency services immediately. Evacuate or Lockdown: Depending on the threat, evacuate the terminal or initiate a lockdown. Secure the Area: Isolate the affected area to prevent the threat from spreading. Communication: Use public address systems to inform passengers and provide clear instructions. Investigate: Law enforcement to investigate and neutralize the threat; collect evidence. Medical Assistance: Provide medical care to injured individuals. Public Information: Release information to media and public through a designated spokesperson.

Secure the Scene: Ensure the area is secure and prevent unauthorized access. Immediate Assessment: Conduct a preliminary assessment to understand the breach. Evidence Collection: Preserve and collect all physical and digital evidence (e.g., CCTV footage, witness statements). Interviews: Interview witnesses, airport staff, and any involved parties. Forensic Analysis: Conduct detailed forensic analysis of the evidence. Collaborate with Authorities: Work closely with law enforcement and relevant agencies. Report Findings: Compile a comprehensive report detailing the breach, findings, and lessons learned. Review and Update Protocols: Implement recommendations to prevent future incidents.

Regular Drills: Conduct routine emergency drills simulating various security breach scenarios. Role-Specific Training: Provide specialized training for different roles (e.g., security personnel, airline staff). Coordination Exercises: Practice coordination between airport staff, law enforcement, and emergency services. Communication Training: Train staff on using communication systems effectively during a crisis. Feedback and Improvement: After each drill, gather feedback and refine procedures. Update Training Materials: Regularly update training materials to reflect new threats and best practices. Public Awareness: Educate passengers on emergency procedures and response expectations.