Emergency Advisory Radio: New Tool in a New Age of Port Security
The world changed on September 11, 2001, and we're all still playing catch-up.
In the process, we're discovering that the more secure we try to make
something, usually the more complicated, frustrating and inaccessible it
becomes to those who have to use it. Ports of entry, a critical line of
defense, are certainly no exception. Airline, ship, truck and train
facilities inextricably linked across the country comprise the US port
network. This means that if a dangerous container makes it past Customs into
one port, it could be transported anywhere in the US within a matter of days. Port managers,
in a very real sense, first responders, are adding new security measures
left and right. Most struggle with how to prevent terrorism and, at the same
time, ensure that employees and customers get where they need to go quickly.
An inexpensive yet effective way for port managers to ease
this ingress/egress is to broadcast to users through the AM radio receivers
in their vehicles. Coupled with signs that tell the port regulars (and visitors) what frequency to tune to for instructions, AM
Emergency Advisory Radio Stations can help explain what port users are supposed to do when they enter
and why — bridging the expectancy gap for those used to doing things the old way
and easing confusion for newcomers. Confusion is an enemy to productivity
and goodwill. Useful in Daily Operations as well as Emergencies
If one port were to go down, in addition to the people in the vicinity of the compromised port itself,
ports in many other cities would be affected. Any container has the potential to cause catastrophe.
Traditionally port managers haven't had to be overly concerned about
security —
rather, about turnaround time and profit. Getting the cargo (e.g.,
bananas and steel) out the door remains a high priority. AM radio stations
in the vicinity facilitate daily port traffic. And, during
emergencies, station operators can quickly switch to emergency-protocol
broadcasts to prevent people from getting hung up at gates and dock areas or
to evaluate in an orderly fashion.
ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio Systems from ISS can
be triggered to broadcast urgent messages any number of ways
— by telephone, radio or even from a dispatcher's console.
They interface automatically with all-hazard warnings from the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), including a new Specific Area
Message Encoding feature that targets broadcasts to counties involved. The
system has a 4-day operational battery backup and power-loss notification
module and can handle up to 250 messages arranged in 20 different play
lists. Messages can be prerecorded and set aside for anticipated emergency scenarios
or recorded immediately. And the system includes live cut-in ability.
See an
overview of how broadcast programming can be organized.
Minimal Cost Compared to Other Security Measures
Most emergency managers today feel there are too many entities, too many things that need to be done to
adequately secure them and not enough money to go around. Port
first responders experience this same scarcity. Even so, they are working fervently to thwart terrorist attacks, beefing up perimeter defenses with motion detectors and surveillance cameras. They are looking at smart cards and biometrics for gates.
They are getting greatly enhanced computer systems for tracking and
reporting. All of these measures cost millions of dollars. ALERT AM is
low-cost technology that allows ports to get the word to patrons, employees
and visitors immediately, 24/7. It's rare
that a solution comes along that only requires a few thousand dollars. ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio Systems from ISS average $21K per station, installed. Each station covers a 25 to 75 square miles. Fixed stations can be networked and synchronized to expand the range. Portable stations (and signs) can be deployed to
trouble spots.
Easy to Install and Maintain
ISS Emergency Advisory Radio Systems offer a variety of installation choices
to ports for
fixed stations that can be networked to extend the normal 25-75 square-mile
listening range. Location is everything. Antenna mounting styles are
designed to fit each situation.
Station maintenance is minimal.
See how easy.
Moreover, ISS is on call 24/7 with technical support
for the life of the product — no extra
cost.
Planning a station is easy, too. Personal assistance comes free, and a
network of ISS representatives blankets the country to pay site visits and
offer installation support. |
Port of New Orleans
The Port of New
Orleans has 5 Emergency Advisory Radio systems. One broadcasts general
information on 1690 kHz and is run by the port itself. Content is
for all motorists. P&O Ports of North America runs the other 4
stations for shipping franchises, using the port. As trucks enter with
individual identity passes, each is verified for a
reservation. Signs tell the visiting truckers to listen to certain
frequencies (1630, 1650, 1660 or 1670), depending on each truck's status.
|
