The Air Marshal National Council and its representatives fear that if immediate action is not taken then more tragedies and loss of life will occur.(Courtesy of YouTube)
The Air Marshal National Council and its representatives fear that if immediate action is not taken then more tragedies and loss of life will occur.(Courtesy of YouTube)

The Air Marshal National Council has filed serious health and safety complaints with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), in regards to The Federal Air Marshal Service management creating and fostering unsafe, unhealthy, and a substantial and specific public safety risk, through gross mismanagement of its workforce.

(A CNN investigation finds federal air marshals are often sleep-deprived, medicated, and at risk for suicide. Courtesy of CNN and YouTube. Posted on Aug 13, 2015.)

Transportation Security Administrator (TSA) David Pekoske was put on notice with evidence of the unsafe, unhealthy, and hazardous conditions of employment when he received and acknowledged an email titled “Concerned FAMS” (F, dated June 19, 2018.

The air marshal that wrote that whistle blower disclosure gave examples of several disturbing cases of psychotic episodes and an attempted suicide, allegedly caused primarily by the air marshals flight schedule.

(Department of Homeland Security Air Marshal and whistleblower Robert MacLean makes remarks at National Whistleblower Day 2017. Courtesy of National Whistleblower Center and YouTube. Posted on Mar 29, 2018.)

The air marshal went on to say, “These incidents are not anomalies.

“They are just a glimpse into the toxic culture that exists in the agency today and we feel is only getting worse.”

Since this disclosure there have been four Air Marshal suicides, a murder suicide, and the agency’s first in the line of duty death.

(It’s an elite team, tasked with protecting the skies above the United States and if you don’t notice them, they’re doing their job. Courtesy of Nine News Australia and YouTube. Posted on Feb 24, 2019.)

Specific recent examples of serious reported psychotic episodes suffered by Air Marshals:

  • In February of 2018, in Broward County, Florida, a 38-year-old Federal Air Marshal came home after work and opened fire with his issued firearm in his house, shooting four to five shots at what he thought were two home invaders.

A study, conducted by the Division of Sleep Medicine of Brigham and Women's Hospital at Harvard Medical School, found half of federal air marshals take some medication or supplement to get to sleep. Others said they turn to alcohol.The study was sent to the entire Federal Air Marshal Service workforce, but was then classified as sensitive and prohibited from being distributed. (Courtesy of YouTube)
A study, conducted by the Division of Sleep Medicine of Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School, found half of federal air marshals take some medication or supplement to get to sleep. Others said they turn to alcohol.The study was sent to the entire Federal Air Marshal Service workforce, but was then classified as sensitive and prohibited from being distributed. (Courtesy of YouTube)

    • In fact, he was hallucinating he later testified.

    • The Air Marshal went on to say “he was suffering from psychosis due to sudden withdrawal from alcohol and sleeping pills he’d been taking for years to cope with his job’s demanding schedule”.

  • On June 18, 2018, in Newark, New Jersey, a medically retired Air Marshal was indicted for allegedly plotting to blow up his former field office.

  • On October 26, 2018, in New Jersey, an Air Marshal shot his wife and then shot himself in an apparent murder suicide, leaving his three orphaned children.

  • In the Fall of 2018, in San Francisco, California, a recently retired air marshal shot himself in the head in an apparent suicide.

  • Also in the Fall of 2018, in New Jersey, a recently medically retired air marshal was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

  • In the Summer of 2018, in Boston Massachusetts, a 20-year veteran Air Marshal returned home from working a red eye flight.

For Crisis Support from the Air Marshal National Council, call Dr. Douglas Cell (443) 889-5666 or Toll Free Hotline (866) 276-4615. (Courtesy of YouTube)
For Crisis Support from the Air Marshal National Council, call Dr. Douglas Cell (443) 889-5666 or Toll Free Hotline (866) 276-4615. (Courtesy of YouTube)

    • He said he was physically and mentally exhausted when he heard voices in his head saying he should kill himself.

    • He then took out his issued weapon and placed the barrel of the gun to the side of his head.

    • He began to depress the trigger, but then the thought of his young daughters stopped him.

    • He said later that his psychologist after seeing his flight schedule said “you all are headed for a breakdown”, referring to air marshals.

  • On July 20, 2019, in Washington D.C., a Supervisory Air Marshal was found dead of apparent self-inflicted injuries.

(Members of the Federal Air Marshal Service use a life-size mockup of a jet aircraft to prepare for various emergencies. Courtesy of Federal News Radio and YouTube.)

The agency was put on notice by its own commissioned sleep study and the recent report from one of its own air marshals about the recognized hazard of its scheduling practices and the oppressive conditions it forces its agents to work under.

The Air Marshal National Council and its representatives fear that if immediate action is not taken then more tragedies and loss of life will occur.

(Learn More. See Federal Air Marshal Training in Action (beginning in video at 5:50). The TSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that has authority over the security of the traveling public in the United States, created as a response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. Courtesy of Heroes: SOF-LAW-RESCUE-INTEL and YouTube. Posted on Feb 11, 2018.)

American Security Today

Honor Your Agency and First Responders for Government Excellence in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards

In addition to DHS S&T, following Government Agencies were recognized in thee 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards:

(Learn About the DARPA Subterranean Challenge working with multidisciplinary teams from around the world to compete in the development of the autonomy, perception, networking, and mobility technologies necessary to map explore and search underground networks in unpredictable conditions. Courtesy of DARPAtv and YouTube.)

(Learn About the FBI VCAC Program, and hear from Special Agent Danielle Messineo, who works in the Crimes Against Children division, trying to prevent future victims by giving presentations to schoolchildren. Courtesy of USA Network and YouTube.)

(Learn About the Joint Interagency Task Force South on Key West, Florida, a multi-agency, international alliance whose mission is to cover 42 million square miles of territory primarily in Central and South America to stem the flow of illegal drugs and to disrupt and dismantle sophisticated narco-trafficking networks. Much of that work is carried out on the high seas. Courtesy of Doug Brumbaugh and YouTube.)

Also Recognized for ‘Excellence in Homeland Security’ in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program:

  • Edward Reinhold, Deputy Assistant Director, FBI (Ret)

  • Joel McNelly, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

  • Matt Quillen, Bristol Virginia Police Department

  • Stanley I. White, Counterintelligence Advisor, the International Association for Counterrorism & Security Professionals (IACSP)

  • Thomas Homan, Acting Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (Ret)

  • Thomas O’Connor, President of the FBI Agents Association

Comm Bill Bratton to Deliver Key Note Address at AST’s 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards at ISC East

American Security Today is pleased to announce that Bill Bratton, former police commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD), the Boston Police Department(BPD) and former chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), will be speaking to ‘ASTORS’ Winners, Finalists, and Attendees at the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Luncheon at ISC East 2019, on Wednesday, November 20th, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.

Former NYPD and LAPD Commissioner Bill Bratton with Mike Madsen, AST Publisher (at IACP)
Former NYPD and LAPD Commissioner Bill Bratton with Mike Madsen, AST Publisher (at IACP)

Commissioner Bratton is one of the world’s most respected and trusted experts on risk and security issues, and is widely sought by both national and international news outlets, law enforcement agencies, industry leading Fortune 500 companies and public safety agencies for his insight and vast expertise relating to crime, public safety, counterterrorism, risk mitigation, crisis management, and first responders interoperability (i.e., federal, state and local law enforcement, fire, EMS, health, hospitals) in the event of a critical incident or emergency.

(Combating Homegrown Terrorism – The most significant defense we have is intelligence, says Bill Bratton, Teno Risk executive chairman and former NYPD commissioner, talking about the new and challenging tactics now used by terrorists as well as how governments and companies can help protect the public amid growing extremism threats. Courtesy of CNBC Make It. and YouTube. Posted on Aug 18, 2017.)

As Executive Chairman of Teneo Risk, Commission Bratton regularly counsels clients on risk identification, prevention, and response, with an emphasis on six key areas which includes: cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection, counterterrorism, health advisory, internal threat mitigation, and crisis management.

Over the course of his 46-year career in law enforcement, he instituted progressive change and achieved dramatic decreases in crime while leading six police departments, which includes seven years as Chief of Police for LAPD, and two consecutive terms as Police Commissioner of the City of New York, driving down crime, improving public safety, and working to strengthen community relations while in each post.

Furthermore, Commissioner Bratton is the only person to lead the police agencies of America’s two largest cities.

(Sometimes leadership actually means falling in line, says two-time New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton. Courtesy of CNBC Make It. and YouTube. Posted on Jul 17, 2018.)

Critically acclaimed author, widely in-demand commentator, and Fortune 500 company consultant, Police Commissioner Bratton’s almost 50 year distinguished career, will be featured in-depth in the upcoming AST *Fully Interactive* Monthly Magazine – So be on the lookout to learn more about the impact his extraordinary leadership has had on revitalizing public safety, developing an internationally acclaimed command accountability system in use by police departments nationwide, dramatically increasing law enforcement morale, and achieving some of the largest crime declines in some of America’s largest U.S. cities.

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.

Former NYPD and LAPD Commissioner Bill Bratton with AST Editorial Director Tammy Waitt
Former NYPD and LAPD Commissioner Bill Bratton with AST Editorial Director Tammy Waitt (at IACP)

Over 130 distinguished guests representing National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program drew an overwhelming response from industry leaders with a record high number of corporate and government nominations received, as well as record breaking ‘ASTORS’ Presentation Luncheon Attendees, with top firms trying to register for the exclusive high – end luncheon and networking opportunity – right up to the event kickoff on Wednesday afternoon, at the ISC East registration!

2018 ASTORS

  • The Department of Homeland Security
  • The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
  • Argonne National Laboratory
  • The Department of Homeland Security
  • The Department of Justice
  • The Security Exchange Commission Office of Personnel Management
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  • Viasat, Hanwha Techwin, Lenel, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Verint, Canon U.S.A., BriefCam, Pivot3, Milestone Systems, Allied Universal, Ameristar Perimeter Security and More!

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Desktop Alert.

Nominations are still being accepted for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards for a limited time at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

AST-Image-of-Eagle-and-Flag-resized-2

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Access Control/ Identification Personal/Protective Equipment Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism
Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System Interagency Interdiction Operation Cloud Computing/Storage Solution
Facial/IRIS Recognition Body Worn Video Product Cyber Security
Video Surveillance/VMS Mobile Technology Anti-Malware
Audio Analytics Disaster Preparedness ID Management
Thermal/Infrared Camera Mass Notification System Fire & Safety
Metal/Weapon Detection Rescue Operations Critical Infrastructure
License Plate Recognition Detection Products And Many Others!

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

2018 Champions Edition

See the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Champions Edition – ‘Best Products of 2018 ‘ Year in Review’ for in-depth coverage of the outstanding products and services of firms receiving American Security Today’s 2018‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards.’

Enter Early to Maximize Media Coverage of your Products and Services at Kickoff, and Get the Recognition Your Organization Deserves!

And be sure to Register Early for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East 2019 to ensure your place at this limited- space event!

2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Luncheon at ISC East

Why the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?

American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’

Why American Security Today?

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 70,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.

The old traditional security marketplace has been covered by a host of security publications that have changed little over many years.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that provides our readers with solutions to their challenges.

Our Editorial staff provides a full plate of topics for our AST monthly digital editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts.

The editorial calendar and AST’s high drawing website features 23 different Technology and Marketing Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities and Emergency Response among others.

These sectors are part of the new integration, where these major applications communicate with one another in a variety of solutions to protect our cities and critical infrastructure.

AST has Expanded readership into vital Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other Potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – enticing targets for extremist or lone wolf attacks due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR