THP Declares 24-Hour Multi-Agency Hazmat Check a Success

Homeland Security Hazmat Checkpoints Fact Sheet

The Tennessee Highway Patrol and multiple partner agencies examined more than 1,500 trucks during Operation United S.T.O.P. (Strategic Transportation Observation & Prevention) on Thursday, May 3.  62 drivers and 66 trucks were placed out of service as a result of the first-ever 24- hour operation.

Governor Phil Bredesen said, “The cooperation of local, state and federal agencies at these checkpoints demonstrates a strong willingness to work together to ensure public safety on Tennessee’s interstates and highways.  Ensuring the safety of the motoring public is a high priority for Tennessee.”

“After personally observing the operation myself in Haywood County, I could not be more pleased with its success,” said Department of Safety Commissioner David Mitchell.  “We sent a strong message that Tennessee is monitoring individuals who may be transporting illegal or hazardous materials in support of criminal or terrorist activity.”

THP Colonel Mike Walker said, “The goal of Operation United S.T.O.P. is to be pro-active in deterring large truck violations and terrorist activity by conducting random truck inspections across the state.  We conducted eight simultaneous Homeland Security Hazardous Materials Checkpoints over a non-stop 24-hour period.”  

In October 2006, a similar eight-hour operation in 17 sites across the state helped earn Tennessee national recognition for leadership from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

“We couldn’t carry out an operation of this scale without the help of our partners.  We’re thankful they’re as serious about this issue as we are,” said THP Captain Steve Binkley, who oversees commercial vehicle enforcement.  The multi-agency event included members of TEMA, TBI, TDOT, TDEC, the Tennessee National Guard, the federal Department of Homeland Security, FBI, ATF, TSA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, RAD Health and several local police agencies.   Nuclear detection devices were utilized at several checkpoints to identify radio-active materials.   Three were found but determined to be legal shipments.  

A total of 395 hazardous materials trucks were checked, as well as 466 moveable containers and 218 rental vehicles.  In all, 596 safety defects were found, 329 trucks were checked by bomb or drug dogs and 760 were checked for radiological contaminants.  The stops also resulted in three alcohol violations, one drug arrest, one arrest for no driver license and another arrest for a fraudulent use of an I.D. 

The Tennessee Department of Safety (www.tennessee.gov/safety) is responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the traveling public.  The department’s general areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education and motorist services including the issuance of driver licenses.  The department and its highly trained staff of Troopers are responsible for safety on more than 15,000 miles of state and federal highways.

Multi-County Emergency Prepardness Exercise Planned for Region posted April 19, 2007

The Tennessee Office of Homeland Security, in cooperation with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, local Emergency Management Agencies, public safety, health department and hospital officials in Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Lincoln, Marshall, Moore, and Rutherford Counties, will conduct an emergency preparedness exercise on Tuesday, April 24, beginning at 9:00am and continuing until 1:00pm.  Events will be staged on the grounds of the Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration in Shelbyville, at Lincoln County High School in Fayetteville and in hospitals throughout the seven-county area comprising Homeland Security District 6. 

Forty-seven agencies will be active participants in this real-life exercise.  More than 300 citizen volunteers will support this area-wide emergency preparedness exercise by acting as victims.  Some of the actors/victims will include students from Lincoln County High School.  They will participate at the Point of Distribution (POD) located at the school.  Simulated medications are to be distributed in response to the exercise scenario.

The POD is being overseen by the Tennessee Department of Health through its South Central Regional Office.  At no time will students actually be exposed to any infectious agents or be given any medications.   Public participation in this exercise event is of great value in adding realism and increasing the training value of the exercise.

The goal of this exercise and all other similar training sponsored by the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security is to establish real-life learning experiences.  By participating in these training opportunities, police, fire, ambulance, rescue squad, health department and hospital personnel can become familiar with and rehearse the steps necessary to respond to and recover from a mass casualty event, especially events resulting from acts of terrorism.  Community-wide exercises such as this one give responders in this part of the state an opportunity to evaluate their plans and performance under real-life conditions. 

The Tennessee Department of Safety (www.tennessee.gov/safety) is responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the traveling public.  The department’s general areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education and motorist services including the issuance of driver licenses.  The department and its highly trained staff of Troopers are responsible for safety on more than 15,000 miles of state and federal highways.

THP Releases Results From Operation United S.T.O.P. posted October 13, 2006

The Tennessee Highway Patrol and its partner agencies examined more than 2,200 trucks during Operation United S.T.O.P. (Strategic Transportation Observation & Prevention) on Wednesday. Thirty-four drivers and 74 trucks were placed out of service as a result of the operation.

“I am pleased with the success of this operation,” said Interim Department of Safety Comm. Gerald Nicely. “Our emphasis was Homeland Security. The cooperation local, state and federal agencies demonstrated in carrying out these checkpoints shows Tennessee authorities are willing to work together to ensure public safety.”

THP Colonel Mike Walker says, “In just one day, we conducted 17 simultaneous Homeland Security Hazardous Materials Checkpoints statewide, using our own expertise, as well as that of our partner agencies. We hope this statewide effort will serve as a model for other states to follow.”

A total of 2,204 trucks were checked, either for proper documents or for full inspections. Among the findings were:

Location Result

• I-75, mm 23 One stolen backhoe recovered
  
• I-155, Dyer County Two illegal immigrants
  
• I-24, Coffee County One cargo tank missing an internal valve was placed out of service. FMCSA will investigate.
  
• I-40, Knox County One driver on FBI watch list identified and turned over to FBI
  
• I-40, Knox County One hazardous material leak detected
  
• I-65, Robertson County One positive response from drug dog. Trailer inspected. No drugs found.
  
• I-65, Maury County Leak discovered in cargo tank carrying corrosive material. Tank placed out of service until repaired.

A total of 458 hazardous materials trucks were checked, as well as 356 movable containers and 162 rental vehicles. In all, 301 safety defects were found, 305 trucks were checked by bomb or drug dogs and 918 were checked for radiological contaminants. The stops also resulted in four misdemeanor drug arrests and one weapon seized.

The goal of Operation United S.T.O.P. was to be pro-active in deterring a terrorist event by conducting random truck inspections across the state. State and federal agencies assisting in the event included federal and state Homeland Security, TEMA, TBI, FBI, ATF, TDOT, TDEC, the Bomb and Arson Squad of the Department of Commerce and Insurance, the National Guard, THP Special Operations and CID, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and local police agencies.

The Tennessee Department of Safety (www.tennessee.gov/safety) is responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the traveling public. The department’s general areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education and motorist services including the issuance of driver licenses. The department and its highly trained staff of Troopers are responsible for safety on more than 15,000 miles of state and federal highways.

Two Tennessee First Responders are Honored in New York for Their Service. Click Here.

Is Tennessee Safer After 9/11?
Mitchell Talks Terror
Courtesy of WSMV

 NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- As memorial ceremonies are being held here in Tennessee for the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, a new report said the hunt for Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is weakening.

Many are raising the question, are we any safer now than we were five years ago?

Dave Mitchell, the state's director of Homeland Security, said the country and Tennessee are safer now than five years ago when the terrorists attacked.

One of the reasons is improved communications between law enforcement agencies.

David Mitchell remembered exactly where he was the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

"Like all Americans it's a day you don't forget, especially if you work for FBI. It started a nonstop work day for about 60 days," he said.

Mitchell was a member of the nation's first Joint Terrorism Task Force in New York City. Ten months ago he was appointed as Tennessee's Homeland Security director.

He said one of the goals of his office is to improve information sharing between local, state and federal agencies to be able to thwart a terrorist attack before it happens.

Tennessee's Fusion Center, located at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Headquarters, was designed to do just that.

There, specially trained analysts will gather information reported by law enforcement officers and the public to connect the dots or detect patterns indicating possible terrorists' plots.

"In Tennessee we're going to look at all crimes, because in reality all terrorist activity is preceding by some type of suspicious activity, usually some low level criminal activity that usually doesn't go up on the radar of local law enforcement," he said.

Mitchell said although there is no specific threat in Tennessee, there are individuals who need to be lawfully monitored. He said there is a fine line between keeping an eye on a potential terrorists and invading someone's privacy.

"We all are so proud of our civil liberties and the many freedoms we have in this state. We are very cognizant of protecting these civil liberties," he said.

Mitchell believes we will win the war on terror, and asks that especially on Sept. 11, 2006, we remember those who are in the fight.

"Support the troops and their endeavors, support your first responders, when you see that firefighter, cop and heroes five years ago when more than 3,000 Americans lost their lives," he said.

Mitchell said the average citizen can do their part to help fight terrorism as well. Many plots have been exposed by people reporting what they think might be suspicious activity to police, he said.

At war, in safety Sept. 11 lingers
Sept. 11, 2001, changed local safety efforts
By HEATHER DONAHOE
The Leaf-Chronicle

When Sept. 11 hurled the nation into more aggressive disaster response preparations, Clarksville had a head start.

Safety officials had been upgrading emergency policies and procedures ever since the 1999 tornado that ripped through the city.

   "We already had the ball rolling, but 9/11 forced us to kick it up a notch," said Clarksville Police Lt. Joe Stevenson, CPD's Homeland Security coordinator.

The two disasters required significant changes here and in six surrounding counties - Stewart, Robertson, Cheatham, Humphries, Dickson and Houston.

The seven-county team comprises Tennessee Homeland Security District 7 and has been praised as one of the most innovative in the state. Montgomery County serves as the host county for the district's weekly meetings, which began in December 2003. Fort Campbell officials also have participated in the planning and training.

Rick Shipkowski, deputy director of the Tennessee Homeland Security Office, said District 7 was the first of the state's 11 Homeland Security districts to complete three required preparedness exercises.

"The commitment we've seen from District 7 has been one of the most impressive in the state," Shipkowski said Friday. "That's due, in large part, to the dedication of many leaders in Montgomery County."

Shipkowski acknowledged the efforts of county Emergency Management Agency Director Steve Jones, Sheriff Norman Lewis and Clarksville Fire Rescue Chief Michael Roberts. He said they have shown a willingness to "think progressively and implement change."

"They have been on board from the beginning," Shipkowski said. "This district genuinely believes in guarding the safety of its residents."

'We're a team'
District 7 has adopted a team approach for all decisions, purchases and exercises.

"There is never an 'I' in the equation - it's always 'we,'" Jones said. "We're a team, we all know each other, and we work well together. It's the 'we attitude' that has allowed us to accomplish as much as we have. We're all singing off the same sheet of music."

The benefits of intercounty teamwork, Jones said, are practical, logistic and financial.

"When you have seven jurisdictions working together, sharing knowledge, information and equipment, you're obviously going to get more done," Jones said. "We have mutual aid pacts between all the governments involved, and it's worked well for us."

Stevenson agreed.

"We've increased our knowledge base, our skills base and definitely our confidence base," he said. "We're much more prepared now than we were when the tornado hit. We now know who has the info we need and how to get it in a timely fashion - whether that be regarding the best way to do something or for info on a piece of equipment."

New technology
District 7 has received slightly more than $5.8 million in Homeland Security grants, Shipkowski said. The money has been used to purchase and upgrade equipment and for training expenses. A recent acquisition, the district's new mobile command trailer and accompanying truck, was bought with grant money.

The equipment inside the trailer provides Internet Protocol - or IP-based - wireless dispatching and communications capabilities.

In short, the trailer's technology facilitates voice and data communication "wherever it rolls," said Montgomery County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Ed Patterson.

"Whatever need arises, in whatever circumstance, we're able to communicate with our first responder partners across the district," Patterson said.

The trailer is being housed at Clarksville Fire Rescue's main station, where employees there maintain and keep it charged.

Microphone systems, camera equipment, protective suits for first responders, gas masks and electrical crowd-control devices are among other equipment obtained through grant money.

Jones is quick to note all of the equipment fulfills multiple functions.

"When you're making purchases this big, you want to make sure you're getting some mileage out of them," he said. "You want to make sure you can multi-task with whatever you buy."

The new trailer, for example, was recently used as the communications base during the Tennessee Titans training camp at Austin Peay State University.

"We were able to monitor the staging area where the camp was held," Patterson said. "Various security personnel had it hooked up with wireless Internet, and APSU had pulled into it on the campus camera operation."

Putting these new strategies and techniques in place has required the willingness of local officials to think beyond the boundaries of "business as usual."

Jones said the transformation has been exciting.

"They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks," he said. "Well, that's not true. I've learned a lot of new tricks from a lot of new friends."

East Tennessee's Homeland Security leader reacts to terror plot
 August 10, 2006

By TIM MILLER
6 News Anchor/Reporter

 MORRISTOWN (WATE) -- While Tennesseeans were first hearing about the terror plot to detonate bombs on U.S. airliners, Dwayne Collins was at work in his Morristown office.

As the advisor for the East Tennessee region of the state's Homeland Security Department, he spent the day Thursday talking to local law enforcement to make sure they were aware of the threat.

"As you, the citizens, everybody, we watch what's going on in the Middle East and other countries. This is just a preparation step for us to prevent and deter this type of act taking place on U.S. soil," Collins said.  

Collins encouraged passengers to be patient and cooperate with the added security checks and not to let terrorists disrupt their everyday lives.

The regional homeland security office also wants you to report any suspicious activity. And there's a new way to do it, from your computer.  

On the state's web site, www.tennessee.gov/homelandsecurity, there's an online form where you can type in what happened, where it happened, descriptions of suspicious people and even a license plate number.

And you can remain anonymous.    

Collins told 6 News, "Let law enforcement check it out, but we need our citizens to be the eyes and ears for our local communities. This right here is just a reminder of how we cannot become complacent. We just cannot do it."

TSA Announces Refinements to Security Measures - Agency Adjusts Liquid Ban, Aviation Threat Level Remains High

Press Office
Transportation Security Administration

September 25, 2006
Media Inquiries Only - (571) 227-2829
All Other Inquiries - (866) 289-9673

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today it is adjusting its total ban on liquids, gels and aerosols effective Tuesday, September 26. There are two significant changes: Travelers will be allowed to carry travel-size toiletries (3 ounce or less) that fit comfortably in ONE quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag through security checkpoints. Travelers may also bring items, including beverages, purchased in the secure, boarding area on-board the aircraft.

"After the initial, total ban, we have learned enough from the UK investigation to say with confidence that small, travel size liquids are safe to bring through security checkpoints in limited numbers," said Assistant Secretary for TSA Kip Hawley. "We have also taken additional security measures throughout the airport that make us comfortable allowing passengers to bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure area onboard."

TSA will be enhancing security measures throughout the airport environment, both visible and not visible to the traveling public. Examples of these measures include: more random screening of employees, additional canine patrols, stronger air cargo security measures, more rigorous identity verification standards and deploying more trained security officers in bomb appraisal and screening by observation techniques. It is unlikely that further adjustments to the ban on liquids, gels and aerosols will be made in the near future.

The United States and United Kingdom (UK) have continued to work closely together and have shared technical and threat information with partners in Canada and the European Union (EU). These measures are being simultaneously adopted in partnership with the Canadian Government. The UK and the EU are expected to consider similar changes in the coming weeks.

Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson said, "Today's announcement represents a unified approach with the our Canadian partners. These are sustainable, common-sense adjustments that combined with additional security measures throughout the airport will keep the traveling public safe."

The U.S. Homeland Security threat level for aviation remains at Orange, or high, and will not change at this time. This security regime will apply to all domestic and international flights departing U.S. airports. Travelers should, however, check with transportation security authorities in their country-of-origin for flights originating at non-U.S. airports.

Existing exemptions including larger amounts of required medications, baby formula and diabetic glucose treatments must be declared to security officers at the entrance of the checkpoint for screening. For additional information and travel tips, please read our information for travelers. Our Travelers

TSA first implemented the ban on all liquids, gels and aerosols on August 10, after U.K. officials uncovered a terrorist plot involving transatlantic flights bound for the United States.

Video clips of these new procedures and Assistant Secretary Hawley's statement are available. Assistant Secretary Hawley's Statement