BY GLEN D. RUDNER
While the United States continues to suffer under the weight of another change in security protocols, many questions have arisen as to why we have not done what the Israelis have done. How can we make our society more like Israel’s, which deals with far greater terror threats with far less inconvenience? During a recent trip to Israel, a group of responders observed how the Israelis work with these threats on a day-to-day basis. Lessons were learned every day of the trip, as different aspects of the Israeli culture were observed. Everyday life is not disturbed by the constant threat of attack, but rather a mindset of safety and security is imbedded within the people.
| (1) Ben Gurion Airport is very near the border between Israel and the West Bank. In the background are the hills of the West Bank, overlooking an “EL AL” aircraft sitting on the tarmac near the main terminal. (Photos by author.) |
We found that the methodology becomes part of the lifestyle lived every day. The Israelis have learned to be concerned, but they do not allow this concern to run their lives. They have learned to be observant and to rely on a security force that is in many ways transparent. This security force is comprised of all of the emergency services including the Explosive Ordnance Division, fire, police, medical response teams, and internal security agencies that are trusted members of the community. These entities educate and protect their neighbors and friends by constant vigilance and awareness.
| (2-3) As vehicles approach Ben Gurion Airport, the first of six rings of security becomes visible. All vehicles must stop for a complete primary screening, which begins with the asking of three questions. As vehicles approach the entrance gate, the security officer asks, “Where are you from? How long have you been in Israel? Where are you going?” There are other security measures in place that are not as obvious but are secure. |
While traveling throughout the State of Israel, which is no bigger than the state of New Jersey, it was observed that the security process is there, but it is transparent. There are uniformed and nonuniformed security officers and responders at malls, shopping centers, office buildings, even walking the streets, yet they are blended into the environment. There are locations where their visibility is important and acts as a deterrent and yet is not threatening to the general public.
AIRPORT SECURITY
The amazing part of the transparent security is that every man, woman, and child is part of it. An unattended bag, a suspect person, an act, or a behavior is reported and acted on, even if it is an armed law enforcement officer’s asking one or two questions. An example of this is at the entrance to Ben Gurion Airport, which is the hub of travel for all of Israel. As you enter the airport property, there is a checkpoint equipped with security measures and a law enforcement presence that asks those entering the site some simple questions such as, “Who are you? Where are you going? How long have you been in Israel?” These officers are looking not only for the hardware, bombs, guns, and so on, but also, more importantly, the human factors that indicate there is a problem. From this point forward, the security system is observing people from the time they exit their transportation vehicle until they board the aircraft.
| (4) Once you are through the security checkpoint, concrete bollards create a more secure and impenetrable barrier between the roadway and the entrance. |
Multiple rings of security must be crossed to travel from the entrance of the airport to the gate to board. It is an amazing system with extremely important points to be understood. The Israelis use profiling, except they profile everyone. The Israelis have proven that their system works. What is even more important is that it works with minimum intrusion to the public. From the arrival at the first checkpoint to the gate to board an aircraft, it took less than 40 minutes to pass through all of the security.
This same level of security is demonstrated every day throughout the country. It is an interesting perspective to a first responder from another part of the world where security is taken for granted. During the past 12 months, here in the United States, there have been two examples of security breaches that would not have occurred if steps had been taken to assimilate the Israeli methodology of security. The Fort Hood shootings and the attempted bombing of a U.S. flight bound for Detroit could have been prevented by using the human factors in which the Israelis have become so well versed in the front line of defense.
(5) Once you have entered the terminal at Ben Gurion Airport, your baggage is immediately brought to an X-ray machine and scanned. The bags are rated 1 to 5, based on anomalies seen. Depending on the rating, the baggage may be subject to a more extensive search. |
There is a need to learn from our counterparts throughout the world on the many facets of front line security. The first responder community has become an important tool in the global war on terrorism, and responders should take the opportunity to educate themselves to be better prepared.
GLEN D. RUDNER is a project manager for CRA-USA, where he is assigned to project management duties on several state and local training programs. He recently retired as the Northern Virginia regional hazardous materials officer for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, a position he held for the past 12 years. During the past 32 years, he has been involved in the development, management, and delivery of many local, state, federal, and international programs for organizations including the National Fire Academy, the FBI, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and others. He has authored many public safety publication articles and is a voting member of the NFPA Hazardous Materials Subcommittee and the International Association of Fire Chiefs Hazardous Materials Committee. He is the co-vice chair for the Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition.
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