Next Roundtable:
Postponed to a later date.
Executive Transportation Roundtable:
Discussion Theme: Improving Safety & Security Operations in the
Transportation Industry
On June 16, 2006, the
Prime Minister announced the Transit-Secure program. It is to provide
$95 million over two years to enhance critical security in high-risk
passenger rail and transit security operations. In addition to this
funding is an $80 Million Contribution Program to accelerate the
implementation of new and enhanced security measures. Safety and
security are key and fundamental components in transit authority
planning cited by the
U.S. Department of Transportation of Intelligence and Security which
estimated that in the 1990's transit was the target of 20 to 35 percent
of all terrorist attacks worldwide.
Transportation is the backbone of the Canadian economy and thus a
critical, high risk and high consequence national asset. Everyday our
network of roads, railways, shipping lines and airlines keeps people and
goods moving across the country and around the world. It is a vital
lifeline to our market-economy. This has caused the Canadian Government
to provide funding to support efforts to enhance national security and
to improve transportation security in Canada.
What areas is the government prioritizing and
requiring expeditious remediation? What are some of the enhanced
security systems being contemplated? What are the challenges to these
systems and the solutions foreseen to mitigate these issues?
Panelists:
Angus Armstrong, Harbour Master
& Chief of Security, Toronto Port Authority: Angus has more than 30 years
experience working on the Toronto waterfront. He was assigned to create an
overall port security plan dealing with all users of the port and their security
concerns and headed the security for the port during a time of a number of
changes implemented since September 11th, 2001. On average 400 ships
arrive in the port each year. The total tonnage reached on average is two
million tonnes and consists of 1, 250,000 metric tonnes of domestic cargo,
750,000 metric tonnes of overseas cargo including 210,000 metric tonnes of
general cargo. Under his watch the Toronto Port facility at Pier 51 in May
2003 was the first port in canada to receive ISPS Code approval. Angus
also set-up the security systems and ISPS Code approvals for the fast speed
ferry and cruise terminal. This was the first new border crossing approved
in Canada in 40 years. Angus is a Member of the International Association
of Marine Investigators; a Board of Director for the Canadian Safe Boating
Council; a Member of the Ontario Regional Boating Advisory Council to the
Canadian Coast Guard as well as on a number of others.
Deborah Ciccotelli, General
Manager, Safety and Security, Greater Toronto Airport Authority: Debbie has
over 33 years experience in the Airports & Aviation industry. Twenty-three
of those years have been in working in the Public Safety & Security field and 10
years in airport operations. In her current position Debbie is responsible
for the development, implementation and control of the overall Airport Safety &
Security Program at Toronto Pearson International Airport, the largest airport
in Canada. Debbie's responsibilities in this position include, Physical &
Security Systems, Airport Security Awareness & Education Program, Airport Safety
& Security Operations, Contingency Planning & Preparation., Contracted Security
Guard Services Management, GTAA Coporate Security, Liason & Coordination with
Transport Canada, CATSA, TSA, CBSA, CBP, RCMP, CSIS, Peel Regional Police and
others. In addition to her extensive duties at the GTAA Debbie hold a number of
accreditations and memberships such as being Vice-Chair of the Canadian Airports
Council Security Committee, Member of the Advisory Group on Aviation Security,
and a number of other organizations.
Fermin Pico, Director of
Services, Mississauga Transit: Fermin is part of a team at
Mississauga Transit at the stage of acquiring information and planning
for an extensive disaster avoidance, safety and security system.
Most recently he led a team that has successfully deployed an innovative
'SmartBus' program. This leading thinking witnessed the
installation of powerful devices installed on some Mississauga Transit
buses that will assist commuters in beating the traffic blues and
arriving at their destinations on time. The key is an infrared system on
the buses that will enable red traffic signals to be turned into green
ones and allow the vehicles to keep on schedule. In addition an
'Automatic Vehicle Locator' will let operators at a central location
keep track of the bus. The other component to this system includes
sensors that can count the number of passengers on the bus and monitor
how many times the wheelchair ramp was activated. Such a system
can be leveraged for future safety and security practises.
Tony Ritchie, Executive Director,
Mass Transit & Rail Security Task Force, Transport Canada: The tragic events
in Madrid and London demonstrate that rail and urban transit systems ore not
immune from terrorist attacks. In Mr. Ritchie's position he is
responsible for implementing a two-year contribution program to address
immediate high-risk security priorities in Canada's major urban transit systems.
The 'Transit-Secure' program targeted towards the high volume passenger areas of
commuter rail and urban transit, with a focus on major urban transit systems and
equipment. This program will provide financial assistance to commuter rail
and public transit operators in designated major metropolitan areas to
accelerate the implementation of new and enhanced security measures. At the same
time , work is ongoing with partners to identify future policy priorities.
Who should Attend?:
Those involved in the movement and transport of
people and goods can be part of an excellent unscripted exchange of
thoughts and ideas with peers and gain firsthand a knowledgeable
perspective on how they are managing the most pressing issues impacting
their organizations today and for the future.
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