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

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.