Building and Maintaining Resilience in Small Airports - Essay Example

? Resilience in Small/Rural Airports Maurice Carbajal 21 March Resilience in Small/Rural Airports Thesis statement: Building and maintaining resilience and security in small/rural airports and their ability to recover/respond from disaster. Abstract Small/rural airports are very useful facilities because they offer service to communities neighboring major metropolis alongside providing help in case of disasters that may need evacuation. These airports however, do not have the same personnel, security and safety machinery available in major airports making the facilities vulnerable to both disasters and security risks. This is despite the fact that risks facing these small/rural airports are similar to their larger counterparts. Furthermore, there is need to properly plan for incidences of vandalism and petty theft because these challenges have unique security requirements in small airports as compared to larger ones. In case of a disaster, the resilience of small airports depends to a large extent on how these aspects of planning are executed. The need to re-look into security, risk and preparedness of small/rural airports was prompted by the events of 9/11 that brought to the limelight the possibility of attack on a nation that was regarded as most prepared in its aviation industry-America. Given that such an attack could be done using aircrafts in the United States, it came out very clearly that small airports are possible locations from which destruction can be coordinated or even done to cripple the larger transport and communication system in any nation around the world. A practical, yet collective and flexible approach on security measures for small/rural airports must therefore be in place, sustained and regularly reviewed to ensure that in the event of a disaster, these facilities can bounce back to operations in the shortest time possible. In this paper, we will examine risks facing small airports, their resilience, security as well as disaster recovery systems in place with regards to modern threats. On the aspect of security, we will dig deep and examine safeguards in place for these lesser airports as we take into account the administrative responses in their order of hierarchy. Analysis of Risk in Small/Rural Airports Several risks are inherent in small airports and the first in the list is terrorism. Tragedies of 9/11 led to the examination of how small airports participated in the planning and execution of terror attack. The questions of where the attackers received flight training enlightened American airport management to come to terms with the potential; use of small/rural airports in executing much larger security breaches. These small facilities are not major terrorist target areas by nature of the core terrorism principle that requires optimal damage to property and loss on the highest possible lives (Dotinga, 2002). Given these facilities do not harbor huge investments in terms of equipment and experience low human traffic, they are majorly prone to be abused as attack planning centers from which damage to other significant facilities and metropolis is carried. To mitigate the risk of terrorism, airport authorities has had to put in place more stringent background check procedures foe employees, instructors and students at these small airports to minimize the possibility of admitting criminals and secure the integrity of operations at these facilities. The vulnerability of these airports are mainly because it’s easy for criminals to slip in without raising much suspicion thanks to the lack of proper federally required security apparatus. Criminal groups’ usage of small rural airports is not limited to terrorist related activities but goes further to conducting activities related to drugs, illegal immigration and contraband, especially for facilities in the borders Southern and Coastal States like Texas and Florida. Reports from Tennessee Airport Information Center (2005) revealed that an aircraft carrying 6 unrecognized passengers left Fullerton Municipal Airport in the state of California nut was compelled to land at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico to refuel. The plane was tracked roaming the United States while picking undocumented passengers of Brazilian descent. Search with the Federal Aviation authority records show that this Cessna plane is registered to an illegal immigrant and underscores the inherent security exposures facing small/rural airports that do not do much in scrutinizing small planes that use such facilities (Tennessee Regional Information Center, 2005). Amendments has since been done to necessitate background search on private pilots licenses that according to Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (2008), requires submission of gender present address and history for the last five years alongside date of birth and citizenship status. With this, it is believe that risks of criminal exposure at small/rural airports will be reduced. Resilience in small/rural Airports Resilience is defined as the ability to come back strong after a disaster. For small airports to be resilient, they must have in place practical procedures for dealing with any possible disasters and recovering in the shortest time possible. Small/rural airports have the advantage of contracting their own security operations and can therefore customize their operational procedures as well as involve local communities in the management and running of airport services so that in case of a disaster, recovery if fast tracked since the surrounding stakeholder have a clear procedure on what needs to be done to get operations back (Stewart, Kolluru & Smith, 2009). The speed of resilience is entirely dependent on how a possible disastrous situation is managed. The process of resilience therefore, begins from when an adversity occurs and proceeds to how it’s averted or managed. Even with the customized security and disaster management systems at small/rural airports, to a larger extent, they have common operation standards (Bend Metropolitan Transportation Plan, (n.d.). Having in place proper budgetary allocation and close cooperation with the federal government is central to small/rural airports resilience because in the aftermath of a disaster, administrators at these facilities must deploy adequate resources and manpower to restore services back to normalcy. Cost effective ways of reducing vulnerability and training in NIMS and ICS ethics as well as gaining knowledge on the best way possible to make use of external resources in case of a catastrophe is therefore pivotal to such airport’s resilience given the small budget allocation they receive (Handmer & Choong, 2006). Security in small/rural Airports As discussed above under resilience, security procedures at small/rural airports are to a larger extent similar despite the room for customization by authorities to suit their respective unique geographical needs. The following is a list of security aspects that are presently missing in most small/rural airports and what needs to be done to address them: Security personnel at night: Many small/rural airports do not have security at night and if there are any control towers, their business close at 6pm or 9pm latest. More personnel should therefore be engaged to provide protection to these facilities in the night because this is when activities that compromise security of the airport and the nation are executed and the use of small airports for such (Dupree, 2013), contribute to much larger national security challenges like terrorism, drug trafficking and illegal immigration. Perimeter fence: Not having any fences is one of the most serious security vulnerabilities for small/rural airports. Criminals, because of lack of any barrier, freely fly in and out leaving behind illegal immigrants, drugs, contraband and terrorism related material. Most airports are however taking note of the significance of fencing and are erecting some form of perimeter barriers. To augment fencing, these facilities must incorporate technology and install cameras, wireless access control at gates for vehicles entering as well as other long duration archiving cameras that can keep activity data for at least three weeks. Parking area security: Goods coming in or leaving these facilities are received in parking areas. Surveillance on this zone is therefore necessary to keep track of any illegal goods/people using the airports without proper authorization. Data from such surveillance equipment are very useful in the event of an investigation for any criminal cases (Stapelberg, 2009). Proper lighting of the facility: Security lighting of these facilities is cheap and effective deterrent measure over intrusions and criminal activities. It helps security officers from detecting any interlopers besides promoting a feeling of safety for those working or visiting these airports. It also helps with safety in the event of adverse weather conditions. All these security measures cannot be effective without adequate personnel. For these small/rural airports to be safe and secure, resources must be provided to employ human resource who will manage and execute the wonderful security plans recommended. With proper budgetary allocation, these facilities will realize their security objectives and contribute to safety instead of turning into locations for criminal activities. Private ownership of small/ rural airports Most of the airports under study are privately owned and this poses the challenges of enforcing standard security operating procedures as stipulated by the Federal Aviation authority. Private ownership implies that access to these facilities by law enforcements is limited and whatever goes on within these airports remain private businesses that may only involve enforcement agents if proper reasons for suspicion are provided (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2009). Technology however, can be used to monitor activities at such privately owned facilities to avert any possible criminal acts. Effective Disaster Recovery in small/rural airports Recovery from disasters begins with response and management of a disaster from its beginning to end. The speed of response, process of mitigating the catastrophe and reconstruction of destroyed facilities is pivotal to the recovery course. The following is an in-depth look at the core elements of effective disaster recovery: Efficiency of the responding officer on-site: When A disaster occurs, the officer on site have an obligation and responsibility to provide preliminary rescue efforts. Having adequate personnel on site fast tracks the process of rescue and minimizes damages making the recovery process in the wake of such a catastrophe less costly and fast. Planning to have adequate personnel is therefore core to the recovery process but this can only be effective if these personnel have proper training in disaster management. They must therefore be well trained and regularly updated on new ways in the managements of tragedies. Airport facility disaster management protocols: As earlier discussed, small airports have customized security operational procedures. Ensuring lean and effective procedures helps in reducing bureaucracy and facilitating quick address of emergency concerns. On site officers should have the free hand to make crucial decisions regarding rescue plans as in accordance to their own assessment without having to consult their seniors unless in situation that touch on larger security issues. With a clear disaster management channels, on site personnel and first responders have the ability to access important areas of the airport to save lives and stop damages that would lengthen the recovery process. Speed of response for resident law enforcement and first responders: Small airports should have emergency services close to enable rescue efforts reach in time should there be a catastrophe. If help is too far away, then a disaster at a small airport could have far reaching damages and subsequent recovery efforts prolonged. On arrival by first responders, there should be a proper seamless mechanism of providing help that involves creation of evacuation areas. Additionally, law enforcement officials should be notified in a timely through alternative communication channels to their radio transmission systems. Having them present in the shortest time allows for order in the event of a disaster and reduces any chances of further destruction resulting from either stampede or looting should a disaster occur. Acts of stampede or prowling cause further destruction prolonging the recovery. Surrounding authorities with shared aid agreements: Resources as was, mentioned earlier in this paper is major reason why small/rural airports have poor disaster management programs. Having airport administrators partner enter in to aid agreements with authorities neighboring authorities enables help to be offered in the event and aftermath of a disaster, an act that helps recovery to normalcy. Partnerships with organizations like the Red Cross and other humanitarian aid institutions is therefore, key to these plans, because in case of a problem, these organizations do not only offer physical help to minimize destruction, but also participates in the rebuilding of such facilities by offering support either in kind or with funds (Warhurst, 2006). Conclusion From the study, it’s evident that small and rural airports do not receive adequate security and risk attention or provision of funds from the federal government. To keep these facilities safe and les risky in terms of security and disaster preparedness, the federal government must appreciate that terrorists and other criminals are conscious of the stringent security protocols at major airports and are constantly searching for softer targets to advance their destructive agenda. Funds should therefore be provided to enable the implementation of the above revealed lapses and bring small/rural airports up to speed on matter of security and disaster preparedness. Training of the few airport personnel and collaboration with relevant rescue authorities should be core in the operations of small airports to not only equip those responsible with the relevant risk aversion knowledge, but also help in pulling the scarce resources together and help bring back these facilities to operation in the event of a disaster. Airport security is a matter of the larger national security and however small and rural the size of an airport is, adequate measures must be put to avert such useful facilities from turning into locations from national security breaches. References Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. (2008, January 29). Government advocacy. Retrieved April 14, 2008, from http://www.aopa.org/tsa_rule/. Bend Metropolitan Transportation Plan. (n.d.). Aviation Systems. Retrieved April 14, 2008, Retrieved from http://www.ci.bend.or.us/depts/community_development/bend_metropolitan/docs/Chapte r_15_Aviation_Systems_Final.pdf Dotinga, R. (2002, January 8). Small airports, big problem? Retrieved April 14, 2008, from http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2002/01/08/airport_security/index.html. Dupree, J. (2013, February 22). FAA may close air traffic towers at smaller airports | Jamie Dupree's Washington Insider | www.ajc.com. Atlanta News, Sports, Atlanta Weather, Business News | www.ajc.com. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/jamie-dupree/2013/feb/22/faa-may-close-air-traffic-towers- smaller-airports/ Handmer J. & Choong W. (2006). Disaster resilience through local economic activity in Phuket, The Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 21 No. 4 , 43-4 http://www.csr-asia.com/index.php?id=11825 Making, Retrieved from http://www.iiisci.org/journal/CV$/sci/pdfs/R105SQ.pdf Partnering to enhance protection and resiliency. Retrieved from http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/NIPP_Plan.pdf Stapelberg, R.F. (2009). Infrastructure systems interdependencies and risk informed decision Stewart, G. T., Kolluru, R., & Smith, M. (2009). Leveraging public-private partnerships to improve community resilience in times of disaster. Emmitsburg, MD: National Emergency Training Center. Tennessee Regional Information Center. (2005, May 27). Illegal immigrants on flight. Retrieved April 14, 2008, from http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/TRIC/tbi_triccn_files/05.27.05.pdf. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2009). National Infrastructure Protection Plan Warhurst, A. (2006). Disaster prevention: A role for business? International Federation of RedCross and Red Crescent Societies. Retrieved from http://www.proventionconsortium.org/themes/default/pdfs/business_case_DRR.pdf Read More