Chicagoland Preparing for ASIS

Chicagoland Preparing for ASIS

Well represented by a wonderful staff from ASIS International, association officials grabbed a few security industry journalists to tour Chicago and see security at its best.

ASIS promotes a tour for editors every year, with this year being no exception, to tour Chicago and a few landmarks that employ the latest security solutions.

One topic that probably wasn’t on the docket, but was on everyone’s mind, was NATO 2012. Chicagoland hosted many of the nation’s leaders in 2012 for a summit. Mind you, it was only one day, but it was a huge event. With every stop, security directors were talking about it.

Very little happened, security wise, and thankful for that as security leaders were hoping they had everything in place, should it get out of hand. It came and went with little fanfare.

At O’Hare International Airport, security officials saw as much activity as anyone, because they had to stage visitor’s aircraft in a seamless manner. According to Bill Palivos, deputy commissioner of airfield operations at the city of Chicago, preliminary plans were in place, but until aircraft started arriving, they were unsure of how the greeting exercises would take place.

“It’s really all about trust,” Palivos said. “We worked with the FBI, Secret Service and officials at O’Hare to stage planes and organized state motorcades.”

Luckily for airport officials, they were in the midst of constructing a new runway that was mobilized as a parking ramp and greeting area for the foreign dignitaries, without sacrificing normal operations at the nation’s second busiest airport. Each aircraft had to have access to a clear path to depart; no aircraft could be blocked in.

Because Chicago is rife with landmarks and visitor destinations, our editorial group was taken to the Chicagoland Preparing for ASISMuseum of Science and Industry. Originally the Palace of Fine Arts for the 1892 World’s Fair, the facility still hosts if first permanent exhibit: A genuine coal mine from Illinois.

The museum hosts well over 1 million visitors annually where people can view space and transportation, but ultimately, they see a captured Nazi submarine, the U-505.

Security at the museum consists of a first responder for first aid and emergencies. The building employs seven radio channels for active communication, as well as specific protocols for lost children. Officials also practice with one full evacuation a year and have fire guards in general areas with knowledge of how to evacuate the area.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • Unlocking the Possibilities

    Security needs continue to evolve and end users are under pressure to address emerging risks and safety concerns. For many, that focus starts with upgrading perimeter openings and layering technologies—beginning at the door. Read Now

  • Freedom of Choice

    In today's security landscape, we are witnessing a fundamental transformation in how organizations manage digital evidence. Law enforcement agencies, campus security teams, and large facility operators face increasingly complex challenges with expanding video data, tightening budget constraints and inflexible systems that limit innovation. Read Now

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.