The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) conducted an emergency response exercise at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on Saturday, September 14, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Passengers and members of the public likely noticed simulated smoke generated as part of the drill, and numerous emergency vehicles at and around the airport, but the airport’s operations were not impacted during the exercise, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Saturday’s exercise focused on the airport’s emergency plan for mutual aid response, enabling airport personnel and local emergency response organizations to train together and validate response procedures.
(This video features the Port Authority Police Department’s elite Counterterrorism and Emergency Services units held drills in scenarios involving active shooters, threats in office, etc. Courtesy of the San Diego Union-Tribune and YouTube. Posted on Sep 8, 2019.)
In addition to Port Authority police, the exercise included federal and state law enforcement officials, local fire companies, surrounding ambulance units and civilian partners.
Newark was the scene of some excitement on Labor Day when
A false alarm of an active shooter sent Newark Airport passengers stampeding away from a nonexistent threat over Labor Day weekend, sparking a temporary evacuation.
(Chaos erupted inside Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday after an airline employee yelled at travelers to evacuate. Courtesy of CBS New York and YouTube. Posted on Sep 2, 2019.)
The Port Authority Police Department Counter Terrorism/THREAT (Tactical Hardening Response Emergency Activation Team) Unit was established in 2017, to deter, detect and respond to acts of terrorism and disorder.
The Counter Terrorism/THREAT Unit (CTU) provides rapid, deployable manpower to support facility police operations with specialized abilities and equipment.
PAPD threat assessment analysis determines the CTU’s deployments.
Counter Terrorism deployments are designed to deter potential terrorist actions, public disorder and to establish a public awareness of the PAPD’s Counter Terrorism efforts.
Intelligence and known information are constantly assessed by the unit allowing it to map tactical strategies to address agency vulnerabilities and risk.
Members of the PAPD assigned to the Federal Joint Terrorism Task Force and other law enforcement task forces with our partner agencies are integral in the Counter Terrorism Unit’s threat assessment process.
Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country.
The agency’s network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, generates more than $23 billion in annual wages and $80 billion in annual economic activity, and supports more than 550,000 regional jobs.
The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where the 1,776-foot-tall One World Trade Center is now the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere.
The Port Authority receives no tax revenue from either the State of New York or New Jersey or from the City of New York, raising the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit.
Port Authority Police Nominated in 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
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.
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!
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 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.
Proud Sponsors of the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program include ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Desktop Alert.
Time is Running Out to Receive the Recognition Your Organization Deserves!
Enter the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Today at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/
Eligible “Government Excellence Award” Nominations are Complimentary, in Appreciation for Service.
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.
Why the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?
Enter Early to Maximize Media Coverage of your Products and Services at Kickoff, and Get the Recognition Your Organization Deserves!
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.
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.’
Acknowledge the Most Distinguished Vendors of Physical, IT, Cyber, Port of Entry Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Perimeter Protection, Communications as well as Federal, State, County and Municipal Government Agencies in Acknowledgment of Their Outstanding Efforts to: ‘Keep our Nation Safe – One City at a Time.’
Please see our 2019 List of Categories which include a broad spectrum of opportunities for your organization to compete – and whether you represent a Homeland Physical Security Vendor, a Technology Security Vendor, or a Federal, State or Municipal Agency, we urge you to take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to Compete and Distinguish Your Achievements from your competitors.
Time is Running Out to Enter the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards and Receive the Recognition your Organization Deserves at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
(Learn More about the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program from Mike Madsen, Publisher, during an impromptu interview following the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Ceremony at ISC East, on November 14th, 2018. Courtesy of AST and YouTube.)
2018 Government Excellence Award Winners in the ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
The following Government Agencies were recognized in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards:
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Argonne National Laboratory, Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST)
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Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency – DARPA, Subterranean (SubT) Challenge
(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.)
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Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Project Safe Childhood
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Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Project Safe Neighborhoods Program
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Department of Justice (DOJ) Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Office of Personnel Management, Federal Risk Mgmt Process Training (FedRMPTP)
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DHS Federal Protective Service, Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST)
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DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK)
(The Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) is a gps communications tool that runs on a mobile device. It improves situational awareness by allowing users to know where their mission partners are located, regardless of affiliation, improves communications through a variety of applications and was successfully used in 2017 Hurricane operations in Houston and Puerto Rico. Courtesy of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube.)
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DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Enhanced Dynamic Geo-Social Environ (EDGE) Virtual Online Training for First Responders
(DHS S&T’s Enhanced Dynamic Geo-Social Environment (EDGE) virtual training platform provides a safe, immersive environment where first responders, and now educators, can hone their skills and prepare for a multitude of incident responses. Built on the same video gaming platforms as popular titles like Fortnite, EDGE was intentionally designed to be easily accessed, easily used, and easily integrated into agencies’ existing training protocols. Courtesy of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube.)
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DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Flood Apex Program Flood Sensors
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Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),Violent Crimes against Children (VCAC) program
(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.)
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International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals (IACP), IACSP Training and Technology
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Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S), United States Multi-Service, Multi-Agency Task Force
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Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Detection & Emergency Response to envelopes containing the deadly poison ricin at a Pentagon mail screening facility
(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.)
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CBP Entry/Exit Program
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US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit (HRVWCU)
(U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operates the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit (HRVWCU) within the National Security Investigations Division (NSID). Preceded by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, HSI has more than 30 years of experience in successfully investigating human rights violators. The unit conducts investigations focused on human rights violations in an effort to prevent the United States from becoming a safe haven to those individuals who engage in the commission of war crimes, genocide, torture and other forms of serious human rights abuses from conflicts around the globe. When foreign war crimes suspects, persecutors and human rights abusers are identified within U.S. borders, the unit utilizes its powers and authorities to the fullest extent of the law to investigate, prosecute and, whenever possible, remove any such offenders from the United States. Courtesy of ICE and YouTube.)
Individuals Recognized for ‘Excellence in Homeland Security’ in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program are as follows:
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Edward Reinhold, Deputy Assistant Director, FBI (Ret)
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Joel McNelly, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
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Matt Quillen, Bristol Virginia Police Department
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Stanley I. White, Counterintelligence Advisor, the International Association for Counterrorism & Security Professionals (IACSP)
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Thomas Homan, Acting Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (Ret)
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Thomas O’Connor, President of the FBI Agents Association
2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program Industry Experts Include
Ameristar Perimeter Security, ATI Systems (Acoustic Technology Inc.), Attivo Networks, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., Entrust Datacard, FLIR Systems, Hanwha Techwin, HID Global,
ISS – Intelligent Security Systems, Ivanti, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Milestone Systems, Lenel, LRAD Corporation, Milestone Systems,
Orolia, NICE, Pivot3, Rave Mobile Safety, Royal Holdings, Senstar Corporation, Smiths Detection, SolarWinds, Verint, Viasat, and More!
For a complete list of award winners, click here.
2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon
AST focuses on New and Evolving Security Threats at All Levels of Homeland Security and Public Safety for personnel who are on the front lines of protecting our communities, cities and nation.The highlight of the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program will be the Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East at the Javits Convention Center on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.
AST reaches both the private and public experts, essential to meeting today’s growing security challenges.
For Luncheon Sponsorship Opportunities and More, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com or call 732.233.8119 (mobile) or 646-450-6027 (office).
Proud Sponsors of the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program include ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Desktop Alert.
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!
Why American Security Today?
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 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.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
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.
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.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.
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.
AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:
- Provides named sources
- Reported by more than one notable outlet
- Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos
