ASIS International, Toronto Chapter held its annual Student Appreciation event on February 16th, 2012 hosted by the School of Emergency Management at George Brown College’s Casa Loma Campus in Toronto, Ontario.  Over 90 members and guests attended this event which focused on the theme The Importance of Preplanning and Coordination between Public and Private Security in Order to protect Critical Infrastructures in the Event of a Natural Disaster or Terrorist Attack.

The event was to bring awareness of ASIS International and the security industry to students who are engaged in security and law enforcement related studies.

Following informal networking of guests and members, the meeting was called to order by the Chair of the Education Committee, Louis Duranleau.  Keith Melo, the Program Coordinator of the School of Emergency Management introduced the panel that represented police, fire, EMS and security.  The meeting proceeded with a panel discussion of experts with a diverse range of experience from the first responder and security communities.  Statistics from Public Safety Canada (PSC) indicate that the private industry owns and operates approximately 85% of our critical infrastructures and key assets.  To protect critical infrastructure from terrorism and natural disasters, a successful critical infrastructure protection strategy depends on private and public partnerships, cooperation and interoperability. Accordingly, the panel reflected on the importance of pre-planning and coordination between public and private security in order to effectively protect critical infrastructures in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack.

Our moderator, Neil Sutton, from Canadian Security Magazine kept things moving along as each panelist addressed their concerns and best practices.

The panelists included the following experts:
1.      Keith Finn, Inspector, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Integrated National Security Team (RCMP – INSET). The role of INSET is to collect, share and analyze intelligences, which are a threat to national security, with partners nationally and internationally.  Included in their mandate is an enforcement capacity to bring such targets to justice.

Through shared federal, provincial and municipal resources – INSET members are better able to track, deter, disrupt and prevent criminal activities of terrorist groups or individuals who pose a threat to Canada’s national security.

When asked the question of how a student might be successful in combating terrorism once in policing and the difficulties he responded …………… “be patient”.

2.      Phil Warner, Detective Constable, Ontario Provincial Police, Provincial Anti-Terrorism Section (PATS) noted the mandate of PATS is to conduct multi-jurisdictional crime intelligence operations to proactively address terrorism and extremism in Ontario. PATS relationship with the RCMP and local police services was explained.  He discussed behavioural profiling and an array of indicators to look for to make critical infrastructures safe from the many unconventional threats of terrorism.  Phil described the ‘Terrorist Event Pre-incident Indicators’ and listed motivation and intentions to target selection, training, acquisition and final deployment.

When asked the question of how a student might be successful in combating terrorism once in policing and the difficulties he responded …………… “go with your heart and not the money”.

3.      Shayne Mintz, Fire Chief, Burlington Fire Department discussed: Fire’s role at a Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosive (CBRNE) incident; the establishment of perimeters and Incident Management Systems (IMS); ensuring safety of rescuers; and, safety and rescue of victims.  The activities ‘on’ and ‘after’ arrival were explained, including the establishment of a incident command post and coordination with law enforcement and EMS as well as the true first responders – Security Professionals.  He addressed the importance of working together with all services and the private security industry who truly know and understand their critical infrastructures that they have been hired to protect from terrorism and natural disasters.  Shayne also looked at the importance of not destroying evidence while putting out a fire after a possible terrorist attack.

When asked the question of how a student might be successful in combating terrorism once in policing and the difficulties he responded …………… “networking is key”.

4.      Steve Rowland, Retired Superintendent, Durham Region Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provided guidance on protecting oneself from a CBRNE attack by setting up a proper decontamination station for security professionals.  The importance of IMS was stressed as this leads to better communication amongst the first responder community and the private sector.  Implementing an IMS structure into ones planning allows for command and control and a better understanding of one’s role during a disaster.

When asked the question of how a student might be successful in combating terrorism once in policing and the difficulties he responded …………… “don’t let anything get in your way”.

5.      Silvia Fraser, Supervisor/Portfolio Manager, Security Risk and Portfolio Management Office, City of Toronto discussed the nine critical infrastructure (CI) sectors within Ontario.  Much infrastructure is not government owned, but privately owned or in the broader public sector.  She emphasized the importance of emergency planning and the importance of engaging the first responder community.
When asked the question of how a student might be successful in combating terrorism once in policing and the difficulties she responded …………… “gain as much information as possible”.

The panel session ended with interesting questions from the audience on combating terrorism once employed in security and law enforcement.