Initiatives Ensure Nimble Communication, Response

  • May 03, 2007

TSA has moved on two fronts to better ensure nimble communication and response regarding incidents involving transportation. One effort -- NetHub -- strengthens the communications network between TSA headquarters and the largest 158 so-called "hub" airports. The second initiative is creation of the senior field representative position -- highly seasoned security managers who serve as a liaison between federal security directors at airports and TSA's three area directors.

When the aviation threat level was raised to orange and the ban on liquids and gels in carry-on bags went into place in the early morning hours of Aug. 10, 2006, NetHub swung into action. Thanks in large part to this communications unit in TSA's Office of Security Operations (OSO), a fundamental change in screening requirements was successfully implemented overnight by some 43,000 TSOs.

"NetHub operates as the communications focal point and situational awareness center for OSO," said Audrey Warren, acting director of NetHub. "It has organization-wide capabilities to identify, track and solve issues that develop around the nation."

NetHub serves OSO leadership by coordinating the flow of information between headquarters and field leadership, especially between the assistant administrator and federal security directors.

NetHub has three branches -- desk operations, communications and information management -- to provide situational awareness to OSO leaders on current operations and programs.

NetHub's reach has been extensive. Its first high-priority challenge was to communicate the shift from a centralized model for hiring TSOs to local hiring. NetHub was also a key support element in the July 2006 repatriation of American citizens from Lebanon through Cypress and during the holiday travel season from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day.

NetHub has access to state-of-the-art communications and information management tools, including secure telephones, personal and laptop computers, BlackBerries and other communications devices.

Senior field representatives help ensure that area directors -- for the East, Central and West areas of the country -- have the support they need to stay in front of critical security issues. The field representatives also serve as mentors to federal security directors, providing valuable guidance on security operations, budget, workforce, stakeholder management and leadership development. Critical elements of their mission include sharing best practices and driving performance improvement of federal security directors using metrics.

Mo McGowan, assistant administrator for Security Operations, said with FSDs still reporting to area directors, the span of control within operations remains lean.

"We are taking advantage of this group's vast knowledge and experience to support the area directors," McGowan said. "They will help ensure a consistent, cohesive and effective approach to guidance and use of resources."

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