Aviation Security

Description of recent events

The Aviation Security program, which has become one of the CICTE Secretariat’s largest and most productive programs, was very active in 2007. Utilizing the services and expertise of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Secretariat delivered a total of 22 training courses to approximately 412 airport security personnel of OAS Member States.   Of the 22 courses, 5 were in Basic Aviation Security, 7 in Aviation Security, and 10 in Crisis Management.  Under the scholarships project, the Secretariat funded the participation of seven individuals in training organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Beneficiaries

-         Airport Security Personnel

-         National Civil Aviation Staff

-         National Emergency Response Teams

-         Airline Aviation Personnel

-         Customs and immigrations officials

Main Goals

-         Help Member States to improve and standardize airport security controls in compliance with ICAO security standards. 

-         Build the capacity of Member States to safeguard international civil aviation and its facilities against acts of unlawful interference.

Methodology

The CICTE Secretariat has developed five training projects using two implementing agencies. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers a continuum of four courses which the Secretariat offers to Member States based on their needs:

1. National Program Development Workshop: This workshop focuses on the responsibilities of a country as signatory to the ICAO conventions and as a member of the international aviation community. It addresses enhancements to the national security program, national legislation, oversight, national security committee, and program approval process;

2. Basic Security Training: This training is designed to enhance aviation security screener skills as the first line of defense against terrorism in international aviation security;

3. Aviation Security Training: This course addresses concepts and principles of managing aviation security operations within the unique environment of an international airport. Course content is based on ICAO standards and recommended practices, and focuses on protection of passengers, crew, ground personnel, the general public, aircraft, and airport facilities; and

4. Crisis Management Training: The Crisis Management Workshop is designed to provide mid-level to senior aviation-management and other government officials with the knowledge and skills needed to develop and implement sound crisis management procedures.  The Workshop includes a crisis management exercise.

The fifth project is done in conjunction with the ICAO. ICAO periodically conducts sub-regional training courses and accepts participants from OAS Member States who are funded through Secretariat scholarships.

Outcomes

-         A cadre of personnel trained, at all levels, in accordance with accepted international standards.

-         Delivery of a practical guide to the development and maintenance of a functional National Civil Aviation Crisis Management Plan, as required by the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.

-         Distribution of the ICAO “Security Manual for Safeguarding Civil Aviation Against Acts of Unlawful Interference Ed. VI, 2002” and “Annex 17 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation Ed. VIII, 2006” to all participants of TSA training. 

Next Steps in 2008

-         Concentrate on Crisis Management Training.

-         Extend the program to the rest of the Caribbean Basin as well as Central and South American Member States.

-         Increase the cooperative relationship with ICAO in an effort to offer more Scholarships and develop programs tailored to meet the needs of the Latin American Member States.

-         Develop cooperative relationships with donors providing aviation security training in the Hemisphere in order to multiply, rather than duplicate, efforts.