On Monday, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) will file legislation that draws on the lessons learned from the deadly mass shooting at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to help ensure that travelers at America’s major air hubs are kept as safe as possible in such chaotic situations.
One year ago a gunman killed five people at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and thanks to a solid law enforcement response that day, a larger loss of life was avoided. However, communication problems in the aftermath of that tragedy caused uncertainty and preventable chaos for many of the civilians and safety officials there.
Over the past year, Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) convened federal, state and local officials as well as industry experts to discuss those airport security and response issues, and honor the victims of this tragedy. In drafting the Airport Advanced Logistics Emergency Response and Training (ALERT) Act, she also utilized official post-incident after-action reports of the FLL tragedy, as well as similar incidents at other large air travel hubs, to identify legislative improvements that all major airports should adopt.
Rep. Wasserman Schultz’s bill addresses the communication, coordination and training issues that all major airports face. She will be joined by key law enforcement and airport officials, along with bill co-sponsor, Rep. Ted Deutch (FL-22), to discuss the legislation.
Specifically, the bill would expand the Airport Air Transportation Security Programs administered by TSA to enhance training, require planning, improve communications, facilitate continuity of operations, and assist customers and the traveling public in the aftermath of any airport emergency.
In addition, at the 28 airports in TSA’s highest security level known as Category X, which includes Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the Airport ALERT Act would require an integrated and unified operations center to oversee and direct security operations for the entire airport. The Miami International Airport (MIA) is already constructing such a center, and it is essential that this best practice is followed nationwide.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)
U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, (FL-22)
Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel
Mayor Beam Furr – Broward County
Mark Gale – FLL Airport Director
City of Sunrise Utilities Administration Building
777 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway
Sunrise, FL 33325
Monday, Jan. 8, 2017 at 9:45 a.m.
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