CFATS Training – Security Job List

As I mentioned on Saturday’s blog I did receive an encouraging comment on Friday’s blog about CFATS training. As is expected with positive reinforcement comments like this are a sure way to get me to revisit a topic. Today I would like to take a closer look at CFATS training for security personnel. RBPS #11 and Security Personnel The Risk-Based Performance Standard Guidance document does make two specific mentions of training for security personnel. The first is in an explanation of how training topics need to be adjusted to the target audience. RBPS #11 (pg 91) notes that: “Typically, if the audience consists of designated security personnel, the details of security procedures, operations, communications, etc., will warrant extended discussion.” A more significant discussion of security team training is found in Metric 11.1, Security Training Program for Security Personnel. For all four Tier levels, this metric provides the following guidance (pg 95):

“The facility has a documented security awareness and training program and a corresponding set of minimum skills and competencies for security personnel, as well as a testing program through which security personnel can demonstrate their ability to perform their security-related tasks in a reliable and effective manner. A typical training program will include such features as: “Training is provided on recognition of a security incident, reporting of a security incident, emergency procedures, and operation of security equipment. “Training is held on a regular basis for security personnel. “Objectives are established for each element of the training plan. “Training records are maintained in accordance with 6 CFR § 27.255(a)(1).”

The security metric does not provide a list of what would be considered to be a ‘set of minimum skills and competencies for security personnel’. Part of the reason for lack of such a listing can be found in the §550 prohibition of DHS requiring any specific security measures. A more important reason would be that a comprehensive listing of such skills would vary widely from facility to facility depending on its specific security needs. Additionally, there will be some variation based on what State and local laws allow security guards to do and require in the way of training. Security Job List The first thing that must be done in developing a security personnel training program is to develop a listing of the jobs that security personnel are going to have to perform. We generally start with the high-level task. For example we would start with a security guard at the front gate of the high-risk facility. A list of jobs at the front gate might include:

Maintain security equipment Check pedestrian traffic entering facility Check vehicles entering the facility Check vehicles exiting the facility Respond to security incidents Respond to safety incidents Conduct countersurveillance activities

The facility security officer, the security supervisors, and security guards should all provide input during the development of the of the job list. Most facilities will remember to include the first two, but most will forget to include the most important, the experienced security guard. No one knows better what is actually done on a day-to-day basis than the person actually doing the job. Once a basic job list is developed take a close look at each job listed to see if the listing is too general. For example the listing for ‘Check vehicles entering the facility’ may cover too much, depending on the facility. A different process might be used depending on the type of vehicle being checked. That could be divided into more jobs depending on the type vehicle. For example:

Employee/contractor vehicles Non-chemical delivery vehicles Chemical delivery (inbound) vehicle – dry box Chemical delivery (inbound) vehicle – tank wagon Chemical delivery (outbound) vehicle – dry box Chemical delivery (outbound) vehicle – tank wagon

Once the job list is developed it needs to be carefully checked against the Site Security Plan (SSP) and its supporting procedures. Every time the plan or procedures mentions something that must be done or accomplished at the front gate there needs to be a corresponding job on the job list. A single job might cover multiple listings in the SSP or procedures, but there does need to be a job on the list for every mention of the front gate. Anytime that there are changes made to the SSP or its supporting procedures, the job list needs to be reviewed and updated as necessary. One other thing needs to be included in this job list, actions required to be taken in emergency situations. This absolutely needs to include non-security emergencies such as fires, injuries, and chemical releases. The security guard at the front gate typically has a number of critical jobs to perform in each of these situations, but all security personnel will have specific tasks to perform in each of the typical facility emergencies. Front Gate Procedures Book The Security Job List for the Front Gate will be the basis for determining what must be included in the procedures book for that location. That procedure book will provide information of a general nature for all security personnel as well as the detailed procedures necessary for the performance of all of the jobs in the Job List. There should be a separate procedures book for each security station. Tomorrow we will look at how the Security Job List will allow us to develop a list of specific tasks that the front gate guard needs to be able to perform to successfully meet the requirements of the job list.