TSA Weekly, March 30 - April 3, 2009
Gale on Workplace Issues
From the Office of Strategic Communications/Public Affairs
On Tuesday, March 21, Acting Administrator Gale Rossides testified before the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Homeland Security about numerous topics, including air cargo, the Secure Flight watch list matching program and the work environment. When asked about collective bargaining, she said:
“ … if there are two corporate principles that I and the leadership of TSA believe in, it is that we owe it to the American people to provide a level of security that is the best in the world and that we owe it to our employees to provide the very best quality of work life that we can provide to them.”
Other excerpts:
“ … The attrition rate [for full-time employees] four years ago was over 30 percent, and today, for the voluntary full-timers, it's at 7.5 percent. The part-time attrition rate, four years ago, was over 50 percent and today it is 17 percent.
“The progress in that area goes right to the heart of our involving our employees in telling us, what are the things that they would like to see in the workplace that we could put in effect. So, for example, for the part-time employees, we provide full-time health benefits, and just doing that has significantly contributed to reducing the attrition.”
“Another area that TSA tremendously focused on in its workforce initiatives was in the area of injuries. And I will tell you today that we do not have the worst injuries in the federal government because we have made dramatic improvements in cutting those injury rates by more than 50 percent.”
“And all of this has been because our employees have been able to be part of giving us the solutions.”
“I will tell you, in all honesty, that my involvement in TSA has been a labor of love. And I don't think you will meet anybody on this planet that wants something, as for the welfare of our workforce, as I do.”
A Message from Gale
‘Information Protection is Everybody’s Business’
Graphic by Ann Oh
One of our awesome responsibilities as employees of TSA is information protection. During the month of April, “Information Protection Month,” we will emphasize our obligation to safeguard internal information and handle it responsibly, as well as our duty to be responsible stewards of the information entrusted to us by the American public. We cannot maintain the respect of the traveling public and our stakeholders if we do not protect their information while being totally transparent in all of our processes.
Information protection must be a high priority for everyone at TSA. It’s not just the responsibility of IT security professionals or Intel analysts – it is the responsibility of every employee to safeguard the information we handle. This message begins an awareness campaign that will address the “Whys” behind information protection and the “Hows” of accomplishing it.
I can’t think of a better way to express the importance of information protection than to share with you the fact that the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) recently voted unanimously to incorporate “information protection” in the TSA Core Value of Integrity. As you know, each Core Value has a definition to make clear what it means for TSA. The first statement under the Core Value of Integrity has been modified to read, “We are a people of integrity who respect and care for others and protect the information we handle.” This addition demonstrates TSA’s commitment to safeguard all sensitive data that we collect.
Like many organizations – in government and private sector alike – TSA has dealt with a serious information breach. Ours happened in May 2007 when a hard drive went missing that contained employee personal data. We responded quickly and completely to reduce the likelihood of a reoccurrence and to ensure our employees were protected against fraud. I immediately established an internal Information Protection Commission to review TSA policies and practices and make recommendations for improvement. The Commission made 30 recommendations which were then validated by an independent review panel of outside industry experts. Last summer, the SLT approved a permanent Information Protection Oversight Board (IPOB) to implement the recommendations and to cultivate a culture of information protection at TSA. The board, comprised of senior level representatives from every TSA office, has undertaken critical activities to ensure that TSA is doing everything it can to be a trusted guardian of personal and sensitive information, including launching this awareness campaign.
You might be surprised to realize that TSA has a network of program offices with information protection responsibilities including: Sensitive Security Information (SSI), Operations Security (OPSEC), IT Security, Privacy and Insider Threat. During April and in the months ahead, we will focus on multiple aspects of information protection and your responsibility within each area.
Stay tuned for more on our call to awareness and call to action. We will disseminate simplified IT security guidance and launch an iShare page as a one-stop shop for information protection-related information. Topics will be approached in serious and engaging ways, including a “Spring Clean-up” challenge.
Information protection is an integral part of our security mission. Although the IPOB and several offices provide guidance and oversight, YOU play the critical role in ensuring that at TSA we have Total Security Assurance!
News
- DHS Efficiency Moves to Cut Travel, Ban Contractor-Designed Logos
- Heart Attack Victim Saved by Officer
- TSA Partners With Airport to Catch a Thief
- One of TSA’s First FSDs Retires
- Women's History Month Event Emphasizes Networking
- This Week’s Featured Local Newsletter
Supervisory TSO Sonja Armstrong of Show Low (Ariz.) Regional Airport, on a 30-day detail with the IdeaFactory, poses a question to senior leadership at a town hall forum April 1 at headquarters. Issues included Evolution, IdeaFactory, the Integrated Conflict Management System, and pay bands. Acting Administrator Gale Rossides pointed out that a critic of TSA, who is also a frequent blogger, recently wrote online that TSOs are doing “a great job” and invited fellow travelers to thank “all of the great TSOs out there for doing a tough job and putting up with a lot of abuse that they don’t deserve.” Listen to a portion of remarks by Gale Rossides. Photo By Jeremy Trujillo
Graphic by Ann Oh
Your Weekly E-mail Tip
For the next several weeks, TSA Weekly will re-publish tips on how to manage your work e-mail account. If you have suggestions for managing e-mail, let us know and we’ll consider them for publication.
This Week’s Tip: If you are a security officer and do not yet have a work e-mail account, please talk to your training coordinator or security manager. Training coordinators or screening managers are asked to call the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) with a consolidated list of TSOs at their locations who do not have e-mail accounts.
News
DHS Efficiency Moves to Cut Travel, Ban Contractor-Designed Logos
From the Office of Strategic Communications/Public Affairs
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano Photo by Mike Simons
Eliminating travel that is not mission critical and a moratorium on using contractors to design and produce new seals and logos were among the Efficiency Review initiatives Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced March 27.
The initiatives, expected to save hundreds of millions of dollars, were unveiled at TSA’s Transportation Systems Integration Facility at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
“An example of efficiency at work is right here at this TSA facility, [which] enhances security while streamlining the procurement process and standardizing how the equipment is tested,” said Napolitano.
The review addresses six main categories, starting 30 to 120 days out:
- Acquisition management, such as eliminating printing of documents that can be sent electronically or online; restricting travel in favor of conference calls and Web-based meetings; and moving to DHS-wide purchases to leverage buying power.
- Asset management, such as acquiring hybrid or alternative fuel motor vehicles; assessing work done by employees and contractors; and contractors no longer producing logos. Employees are encouraged to submit ideas to improve efficiency. TSA employees can submit ideas using the IdeaFactory
- Employee vetting and credentialing, to make it easier to identify disqualifying factors early in the process, to save money and reduce backlogs.
- IT acquisition management, by moving from DHS components buying computer software independently to department-purchased licenses.
- Management of real property, emphasizing renewable energy technology and conservation.
- On-boarding new employees, with consolidated employee orientation and a standardized mandatory training curriculum to eliminate duplication.
Watch videos from the secretary’s visit at: http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/tsif.shtm
Heart Attack Victim Saved by Officer
By Linda Evans, management analyst, Bangor (Maine) International Airport
TSO John Sullivan. Photo by Scott Arbo
An officer used his EMT training to save a man’s life at Bangor International.
With military troops returning from deployment and pouring into the airport’s terminal, Don Guptill of Bangor greeted soldiers as part of a coordinated effort to ensure each solider is welcomed back. Suddenly, Guptill, a military veteran, collapsed to the ground, and TSO John Sullivan sprang to action.
Because Guptill stopped breathing and had no pulse, Sullivan immediately started cardiopulmonary resuscitation compressions. A few seconds later, the man regained consciousness and began breathing on his own.
“The immediate medical attention and rescue provided by TSO John Sullivan makes all of us here at Bangor, and across TSA, proud of the work our frontline officers perform on a daily basis,” said Assistant FSD Greg Willard.
TSA Partners With Airport to Catch a Thief
By Ron Eschmann, communications lead, Office of Security Technology
TSA monitors passenger activity at a checkpoint at Sacramento International Airport. Photo by Ron Pelayo
When a passenger at California’s Sacramento International Airport told officials that she believed her jewelry may have been stolen at a checkpoint, TSA moved quickly and the items — worth an estimated $1,000 — were successfully recovered.
After searching the area, officers at the TSA Coordination Center, where airport operations are monitored by video and audio, used archived footage to identify the suspect. The video showed a male passenger attempting to hide the jewelry that was inadvertently left on the baggage conveyer belt.
Within moments, airport law enforcement found the suspect at an airport restaurant and charged him with grand theft.
“Thanks to the speedy work by TSOs, the TSA Coordination Center personnel and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, we found the suspect and retrieved the stolen items,” said FSD Ron Pelayo.
One of TSA’s First FSDs Retires
By Jon Allen, Office of Strategic Communications/Public Affairs
Scott T. Johnson (right), director of field operations, Security Operations, hands former FSD Willie Williams a plaque with a picture of the Pentagon on 9/11. Photo by Jon Allen
Willie Williams, sworn in as FSD for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on March 13, 2002, has retired. He was in the class of seven FSDs who were the first to be sworn in by the newly created agency.
Williams served as FSD in Atlanta until July 2008, when he was named head of a new initiative aimed at further enhancing airport airside and perimeter security.
Prior to joining TSA, he served as police chief for the cities of Los Angeles and Philadelphia. His law enforcement and federal security career spanned more than 40 years.
At a recent luncheon celebrating his career and retirement, Williams was praised by many. “Willie is a true professional, a man of integrity and someone who gives good advice,” said Kelly Hoggan, deputy assistant administrator, Security Operations.
“I see Willie every day at headquarters, as a photograph of him being sworn in is prominently displayed,” said Scott Johnson, general manager for field operations, Security Operations. “He has upheld his oath to defend the Constitution and has done so honorably.”
Williams credited those he worked with for getting TSA operations underway at the world’s busiest airport. “Never have I seen a harder working, dedicated group of individuals take on such a challenge,” he said.
Three of the six FSDs who were sworn in with Williams remain at TSA: Gail Linkins, Mobile (Ala.) Regional Airport; Mike Aguilar, San Diego International Airport-Lindbergh Field; and Arnold Cole, who is now special agent in charge, Federal Air Marshal Service, Atlanta field office; and the last three retired: Isaac Richardson; William Pickle; and Marcia Florian.
Women's History Month Event Emphasizes Networking
By Kimberly Bandy, manager, Federal Women's Program, Office of the Special Counselor, Office of Civil Rights and Liberties
From left, Jackie Bell, AFSD, Charlotte/Douglas (N.C.) International Airport; Michelle Washington-Holland, director, Transportation Intelligence Analysis, Office of Intelligence; and Francine Kerner, chief counsel. Photo by Brigitte Dittberner
Developing mentoring relationships, obtaining developmental work detail assignments, and establishing career path plans were some of the topics discussed at the TSA Women’s Leadership Forum, Leadership Access Network: Connecting, Mentoring and Informing, held at headquarters March 24.
Panelists also talked about challenges of balancing professional and personal obligations. FSD Gail Linkins, Mobile (Ala.) Regional Airport, said women must be their own “self-advocates in the workplace.” FSD Lyndel Hardy, Birmingham (Ala.) International Airport, reminded participants to have a “big picture view of the organization,” observe where it is headed and avoid getting “lost in the details.”
The forum, sponsored by TSA’s Federal Women's Program Working Group, featured a leadership panel that included Chief Counsel Francine Kerner; FSDs Debra Engel, Charleston and Myrtle Beach (S.C.) International airports, Linkins and Hardy; Assistant FSD for Screening Jackie Bell, Charlotte/Douglas (N.C.) International Airport; Special Agent in Charge Maria Perez, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); Director Michelle Washington-Holland, Transportation Intelligence Analysis, Office of Intelligence and Analysis; and Instructor Kimberley Thompson, FAMS. Moderators were Special Counselor Kimberly Walton and Director Jennifer Carmichael, Office of Civil Rights and Liberties.
If you have questions or are interested in serving on the TSA Federal Women's Program Working Group, e-mail Kimberly.Bandy@dhs.gov or call 571-227-2352.
This Week’s Featured Local Newsletter
The February issue of The Ocean Slate, a newsletter published by TSA’s Model Workplace ICMS Communications team at Rhode Island’s T.F. Green International Airport, offers a good mix of stories about people and security. Stories are both entertaining and informative, covering technology, employee awards, CFC and Security Evolution. Overall, the layout makes good use of photos, graphics and stories.
Kudos & Clips
Reno Airport Officials Show Off New Baggage Area
By Ray Hagar, Reno Gazette-Journal, March 31, 2009
Officials at Reno-Tahoe International Airport showed off construction of its $63 million baggage and check-in area Monday, saying the 1.3-mile baggage conveyor system can move items from the check-in desk to the belly of an airplane in 15 minutes or less. Read more.
Do you know where Bloomington, Ill., is? It's well worth the trip just to experience the TSA folks at that airport. Courteous, helpful, smiling ... I watched a TSO high-five a youngster before screening his Mickey Mouse backpack. The boy smiled and giggled all through the screening process. A TSO got on his knees to put shoes back on a handicapped gentleman, and a TSO ran all the way to the gate with a gentleman’s belt that was left at the checkpoint. Most of the TSOs here appear to enjoy what they do. They’re very professional and very helpful at putting the passengers at ease. The airport has a mail-back program, which the TSO points out to passengers that need to send granddad’s pocket knife back home. It may not be the best in the nation, but the folks here rank in the 100th percentile for trying.
Don Schneider, Bloomington, Ill., to Harriet Baskas, writer/radio producer, Seattle. March 30, 2009.
I’d like to inform you of my very favorable impression of your staff at the Tucson (Ariz.) International Airport (TSOs Annette Burruel and Darnella Williams). I was traveling … with my 96-year-old mother. … My mother was being transported by wheelchair while I was dragging her walker and my carry-on. … I could not find my mother's ID. …We were referred to Transportation Security Manager Robert Quintanilla. ... He was very polite and friendly to both of us. The whole staff … was helpful, kind, and compassionate. … I saw men and women who were concerned, helpful, and helped an elderly woman … By keeping her calm, I was able to relax and enjoy the flight as well.
Maria Jean Diener, Golden, Colo., to John Fay, stakeholder manager, Tucson International. March 23, 2009.
E-mail your comments and suggestions.
Download Plug-in
Some of the links on this page require a plug-in to view them, which are available below.
