DHS Fact Sheet Highlights 2006 Accomplishments in Cargo Security, Scanning, Etc.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has posted to its Web site a fact sheet which provides an overview of DHS' accomplishments for 2006. Highlights of the accomplishments listed in DHS' fact sheet include (partial list):
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Two TSA directives on 100% inspection of high risk air cargo, etc. In fall 2006, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued two security directives requiring 100% inspection of high risk air cargo, as well as packages tendered to airlines at the ticket counters. TSA also expanded the use of explosives detection canine teams to screen air cargo and added 100 air cargo inspectors.
Phase I of Secure Freight Initiative to screen at six foreign ports. DHS and the Department of Energy announced the first phase of the Secure Freight Initiative (SFI), an effort to build upon existing port security measures by enhancing the federal government's ability to scan containers for nuclear and radiological material overseas and to better assess the risk of inbound containers. The initial phase involves the deployment of a combination of existing technology and proven nuclear detection devices to six foreign ports: Port Qasim, Pakistan; Puerto Cortes, Honduras; Southampton, United Kingdom; Port Salalah, Oman; Port of Singapore; and the Gamman Terminal at Port Busan, Korea. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/20/06 news, 06122010, for previous BP summary on Phase One of SFI.)
CSI at 50 ports, covering more than 80% of containers. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) expanded the Container Security Initiative (CSI), increasing participating ports to 50 in fiscal year (FY) 2006. CSI now covers more than 80% of U.S.-bound maritime containers.
DHS' Air Cargo Explosives Detection pilot program. DHS launched a $30 million program at San Francisco International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport which is designed to capture vital information associated with enhanced air cargo screening and inspection and will provide critical knowledge to help TSA make future decisions and assist in technological research and development planning for the national air cargo security infrastructure.
TSA improvements to freight rail security. TSA worked with freight rail stakeholders to mitigate the greatest vulnerability in freight rail transportation - the standing Toxic Inhalation Hazard (TIH) rail car. TSA also published a proposed rule that would require a secure chain of custody for certain security sensitive materials and a car location reporting requirement allowing DHS to locate any car containing security sensitive materials at any time. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/09/07 news, 07010935, for BP summary of TSA proposed rule.)
CBP deployment of over 880 radiation portal monitors at land and sea ports. CBP deployed 280 new radiation portal monitors throughout U.S. ports of entry, bringing the number of radiation portal monitors to 881 at U.S. land and sea ports of entry.
DHS fact sheet (released 12/29/06) available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1167404984182.shtm.