Nov. 17 - Nov. 21, 2008
National Ad Campaign to Educate Air Travelers
From the Office of Strategic Communications/Public AffairsOn Nov. 19, TSA, in partnership with the Ad Council, launched the "Why?" campaign – part of a national public awareness and education effort. The "Why?" campaign explains to the traveling public what TSA does and why we do it.
Ad Council's Goal is 'Positive Change'
The Ad Council, a private, non-profit
organization, sets a high standard for the
public service announcements it agrees to
produce, seeking campaigns with messages
that can "make lasting and positive change."
Notable campaigns include Smokey Bear's
"Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires," the Crash
Test Dummies' "You Could Learn a Lot from a
Dummy," McGuff and Crime Dog's "Take a Bite
Out of Crime," and "Friends Don't Let Friends
Drive Drunk."
Coinciding with the start of the busy holiday travel season, videos and Web banners will be posted online and complemented by national radio messages. Travelers will find elements of the campaign when they visit major travel-booking and airline Web sites – at the very moment they have travel on their minds. They will also see the "Why?" campaign on TSA.gov.
TSA's passenger feedback shows that travelers are more willing to cooperate with airport security when they better understand the reasoning behind the procedures.
The three videos, narrated by Behavior Detection Officer Stephanie Naar of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, deliver the common message that behind every procedure there is an important security concern.To drive home that messaging, and stress the need for travelers to be prepared for holiday travel, Assistant Administrator Ellen Howe of the Office of Strategic Communications/Public Affairs did remote interviews Wednesday with television stations around the country, while Assistant Administrator David Holmes of the Office of Investigation did the same with Spanish-speaking stations. Other Public Affairs officials conducted radio interviews and field representatives held media events.
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Column The TSA Experience
Web cast: Security Operations leadership transition with Lee Kair and Mo McGowan |
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Evolution Graduation Night
By Susan Kester, expert security training inspector, Salt Lake City International Airport"TSA, TSA, TSA," chanted the Impact Team as they rocked the auditorium Nov. 15 – graduation night. They were the latest members to graduate as certified ENGAGE! and COACH! facilitators – 400 in all. This time graduation ceremonies were conducted with an impressive array of lights and music, showing the value of each individual's engagement with dynamic security.
"The night was rewarding," said Lead TSO Bob Hitesman, Salt Lake City International Airport. "It was a chance to share the joy of success of what I think is the way of the future with new friends and old friends. I am ready to make an impact!"
"Impact" was the name the group gave itself, representing their goal as they learned ENGAGE! and COACH! principles and outlined their next steps for returning to their airports. With Impact, there are now more than 1,000 certified ENGAGE! and COACH! facilitators across the country.
During the two intense weeks of study they generated a group energy that reinforced a deeper awareness of what it means to mitigate the threat and how the application of ENGAGE! and COACH! principles by the frontline workforce will do that.
"I felt the training was very beneficial because it humanized the security functions that we perform every day," said Earl Morris, FSD-Utah. "The content was exceptional and the opportunity to participate with my fellow professionals in a comfortable learning experience reinforced my faith in the great talents that they individually and collectively bring to TSA every day."
The group's two-week effort was rewarded with a ceremony and certificates, but their work is not complete. They now go back to their home airports to inspire growth and confidence through ENGAGE! and COACH!.
Evolution – In the FSD’s Own Words
I have to admit that I am amazed how everyone has embraced the Evolution initiative. TSOs, security managers, inspectors, and FSD staff members have come away from the sessions energized and enthusiastic, looking for ways to make Evolution part of their routine.
Communication, teamwork and networking are basically simple concepts, but often difficult to implement and maintain. Evolution is an excellent beginning towards making these concepts the bedrock of the TSA culture.
- Federal Security Director Mike Cleveland, Yeager Airport, Charleston, W.V.
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TSA Honors Employees at Annual Awards Ceremony
By Jonella Culmer, Office of Strategic Communications/Public Affairs
Holding her award is TSO Mary Trapp (second from left),
General Mitchell International Airport (Milwaukee, Wis.),
who was recognized with two fellow officers as Transportation
Security Officers of the Year. Joining Trapp is (from left),
Deputy Administrator Gale Rossides, Security Operations
Assistant Administrator Lee Kair, and Administrator Kip Hawley.
Photo by Avalon Blenman
Two hundred employees were recognized at the 2008 Annual TSA Honorary Awards Ceremony in Arlington, Va., Tuesday. The 20 award categories ranged from Employee of the Year – Tina Burke of Portland, Ore. – to Unsung Hero honors that went to 14 employees.
Wilfredo Capin of Newark, N.J., David Garcia of Medford, Ore., and Mary Trapp of Milwaukee were named TSOs of the Year in their respective regions, and the prestigious John W. Magaw Values Award went to Dana Brown, who was named integrity officer in June. Previously, Brown served as assistant administrator for Law Enforcement and director of the Federal Air Marshal Service.
"It's all about people," Administrator Kip Hawley told the audience of 900 as he prepared to present the awards with Deputy Administrator Gale Rossides. "We also celebrate exceptional performance, we celebrate teamwork, we celebrate innovation and integrity. It's an honor for me to be with you today because you represent those values in action."
TSA Employee of the Year Award
Burke, stakeholder and customer service manager at Portland International Airport, was recognized as the TSA employee "who exhibits exemplary achievement in job performance, making outstanding contributions to the government and community throughout the year." Burke's achievements included developing an outreach plan to support local recruiting and hiring efforts that resulted in increased screening efficiency, a 100 percent increase in customer compliments, a 400 percent increase in customer contacts and significant reduction in claims.
TSOs of the Year Award
Capin of Newark Liberty International Airport, Garcia of Rogue Valley International Airport and Mary Trapp of General Mitchell International Airport were recognized for exhibiting "exemplary achievement in the area of customer satisfaction and transportation security."
Airport of the Year Award
TSA Miami International was recognized as the Airport of the Year. The award is reserved for the TSA airport operations that "establish a record of customer confidence and satisfaction through its proactive and vigilant efforts."
Heroism Award
Nine employees were acknowledged for the award that "recognizes an employee for distinguished service during high risk, life saving or heroic action in either a duty or off-duty situation." One of the recipients, Deborah Farabaugh, a lead TSO at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, saved a fellow officer's life by performing CPR for several minutes after his heart stopped beating.
Core Values Award
This award recognizes an individual or team for visibly demonstrating the TSA Core Values of Integrity, Innovation and Team Spirit. Glenn Monson, security training instructor at General Mitchell International Airport; Calvin Moore, transportation security manager at Port Columbus International Airport, and the IdeaFactory's Creators Team received the award.
Headquarters Employee of the Year Award
Mary Scott, supervisory program analyst, Office of Security Operations, was recognized as "the HQ employee who exhibits exemplary achievement in job performance, making outstanding contributions to the government and community throughout the year."
Federal Security Directors of the Year Award
Jason "Jay" Brainard, Des Moines (Iowa) International Airport; Karen Burke, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; and Jose Ralls, McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas) were acknowledged for "significant contributions in providing operational direction for federal security…while adding value to other airports and agencies nationwide."
Leadership Award
Eleven people were acknowledged for "outstanding meritorious service to TSA in the pursuit of the Core Values of Integrity, Innovation and Teamwork while producing outstanding results significant to transportation security."
View the list of award recipients.
LaGuardia and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Tie for First Place in Newsletter Contest
From the Office of Strategic Communications/Public Affairs
The Guardian, published by TSA LaGuardia in New York, and The RedEye, published by TSA Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, have tied for Best Overall in this year's Local Newsletter Contest, sponsored by TSA Weekly.
The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s Phoenix spotlight won for Best Layout/Photos and Graphics and Washington-Dulles International Airport’s Dulles Connection won in the Best Articles category.
LaGuardia's The Guardian team (from left),
photographer Kevin Dowling, management analyst;
editor-in-chief Veronica Falzon, program analyst; and
writer Barney Rabbito, program analyst.
Photo by Peter Miller
A panel of judges made up of writers, photographers and graphics artists, including a former TSO, evaluated the finalists based on relevance; writing structure, composition and content; layout presentation/appearance; and originality. Approximately 60 TSA local newsletters from across the country were submitted.
Program Analyst Veronica Falzon, editor of The Guardian, said creating the newsletter is her "passion." Its goal is to "keep all employees informed of current events and provide human interest stories with appropriate photographs," she said. "We are extremely honored to win this prestigious award."
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky's The RedEye team
(from left), Supervisory TSOs Dennis Carr and Robin
McClain; Behavior Detection Officer Elaine Goetz;
Transportation Security Manager Thomas J. Rizzo;
TSOs Sharon Miller, Patricia Kenney and Elizabeth S.
Williams. Not pictured are TSOs Sharon Galbreath,
Juanita Hughes and Pamela Leirey.
Photo courtesy of Dennis Carr
The RedEye was created on the recommendation of Core, TSA Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky's model workplace committee, said Dan Burche, assistant FSD for screening. "The newsletter team produces a truly quality product, which benefits the TSO workforce," he said. "We are all very proud of The RedEye team!"
The competition included local newsletter issues published during fiscal 2008, Oct. 1, 2007 through Sept. 30, 2008. Only one issue of each newsletter was accepted for judging.
To view the top four winning newsletters, visit the Intranet: The Guardian, The RedEye, Phoenix spotlight and The Dulles Connection.
Column
Guidance on Gifts and Holiday Parties
By Kenneth R. White, attorney advisor, Office of Chief CounselAs the holiday season approaches, it is a good time to review rules and regulations federal employees must follow when exchanging gifts with fellow employees, interacting with contractor personnel, and attending holiday parties hosted by non-federal entities.
Generally, supervisors may not accept gifts from subordinates, and subordinates may not offer gifts to their supervisor or solicit other employees to give a gift to a supervisor. While there are no specific prohibitions on supervisors giving gifts to subordinates or any employee giving gifts to fellow employees earning the same or less money, all similarly situated subordinates should be treated equally.
There are exceptions in situations involving supervisors and other employees receiving more pay: gifts (other than cash) that are valued at $10 or less on an occasional basis; food and refreshments that are shared in the workplace among all office personnel; and personal hospitality in the residence of a subordinate of the type and value customarily provided by the employee to personal friends.
Unless an exception/exclusion applies, you may not accept gifts from contractor personnel. This prohibition includes attendance at private parties or open house events that are sponsored or hosted by a contractor.
There are exceptions. You may accept:
- Gifts (other than cash) not exceeding $20 per occasion as long as you have not accepted other gifts from the contractor with an aggregate value of more than $50 for the calendar year.
- Gifts from a contractor employee when the circumstances make it clear that the gift is motivated by a family relationship or personal friendship rather than your position.
- Attendance at a contractor's holiday party or reception if it has been determined to be a "widely-attended gathering" as defined in the Standards of Ethical Conduct and your supervisor determines in writing that the department's interest in your attendance outweighs appearance concerns. Attendance must be on personal time and in your personal capacity. Always contact your ethics counselor regarding "widely-attended gatherings."
- Invitations that are open to the public or offered to all government employees.
- Invitations that are based on your outside personal or business relationships or those of your spouse when it is clear that the offer was not enhanced because of your government position.
- Other offers that are unrelated to your DHS employment (e.g., offered to a group or class that is unrelated to government employment, such as members of a credit union or families of contractor personnel or regulated entities).
It is permissible for your office to hold a holiday party during the non-duty lunch hour or after work and to ask each person attending to pay a set fee to cover refreshments and/or to bring a pot luck dish. However, you may not solicit contributions from or participation by contractor employees for office parties, "grab bags," or other holiday gift exchanges among employees.
Contractor employees who express an interest in attending a party to be held during the contractor employee's duty day should consult with the contracting officer to ensure that the government will not be charged for the contractor employee's time.
If you have questions, please contact Kenneth White at (571) 227-4813 or at krwhite@dhs.gov.
Kudos & Clips
US Tightens Up Watch-lists
From AFP, iafrica.com, Nov. 17, 2008
The US government on Wednesday said it will take direct responsibility for the security screening of air travelers, in a bid to reduce numerous errors in identifying potential terror suspects. Read more.
TSA Increases Use of Behavior, Screeners
From Associated Press, Daily Herald, Nov. 16, 2008
Airport screener Rupesh Persaud still remembers the day he first discovered that the behavior detection training he'd received from the Transportation Security Administration actually works. Read more.
New Lanes Ease Travel for Families, Special-needs Flyers
By Larry Higgs, Asbury Park Press, Nov. 16, 2008
Moms trying to juggle infants and luggage, travelers with a companion in a wheelchair and people carrying more than three ounces of needed medication will find a security lane built for them when they fly this holiday season. Read more.
The TSA Experience
Employee Publishes Book About Life Experiences
Photo by Andy Szul
Anthony Johnson, a privacy analyst in the Office of the Special Counselor's Privacy Policy and Compliance Office, published an autobiography that describes the events that shaped his life as a youth in Detroit, Mich., to serving at the White House on the National Security Council. Johnson, who retired as a chief warrant officer after 25 years in the Coast Guard, said his book, SWITCHES: From the Block to the White House, "motivates us to think before we move and also celebrates the individuals who flip switches on our behalf because they ultimately change our lives."
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