Office of Secure Transportation
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The U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Secure Transportation (OST) provides safe and secure transportation of nuclear weapons and components and special nuclear materials, and conducts other missions supporting the national security of the United States of America.
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[edit] History
Since 1947, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its predecessor agencies have moved nuclear weapons, nuclear weapons components, and special nuclear materials by a variety of commercial and government transportation modes.
In the late 1960’s, worldwide terrorism and acts of violence prompted a review of procedures for safeguarding these materials. As a result, a comprehensive new series of regulations and equipment was developed to enhance the safety and security of these materials in transit. The Office of Secure Transportation (OST) was subsequently established in 1975 at the Department of Energy's (DOE) Albuquerque Operations Office.
The OST modified and redesigned transport equipment to incorporate features that effectively enhance self protection and deny unauthorized access to the materials. It was during this time that OST curtailed the use of commercial transportation systems and moved to a total federal operation. OST-classified shipments are now conducted in a low profile, no-notice manner to ensure the security and safety of the cargo. The personnel who operate the transportation vehicles, as well as the escort vehicles, are federal agents.
[edit] Federal agent escorts
Armed federal agents accompany each classified shipment. Agents are responsible for driving the vehicles, providing security for the shipment, and maintaining contact with the Transportation and Emergency Control Center located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Federal agents accompanying each classified shipment don’t wear uniforms. They carry firearms and are authorized by the Atomic Energy Act to make arrests in accordance with federal law. They carry both a photo identification card and a shield certifying their federal agent status.
Agents are carefully screened prior to being hired. Newly hired trainees must successfully complete a 20-week basic training course before they are allowed to go on the road. The course teaches them to drive the transporters, operate the communications systems, and use firearms. Agents must pass tests on operating procedures, physical fitness, driving ability, firearms use, and other job-related subjects in order to become certified. During the remaining portion of their one-year probation, new agents receive extensive on-the-job training.
Agents receive additional training throughout their careers. This training reinforces and updates their initial basic training. More advanced subjects such as team tactics, terrorist tactics, and new adversary technology are taught. Agents also periodically train to maintain physical and firearms proficiency. Agents are periodically tested on firearm use, physical fitness, and driving proficiency. They must also pass an annual examination to maintain certification in the DOE’s Personnel Assurance Program. Additionally, agents are randomly tested for drug and alcohol abuse.
[edit] Transportation vehicles
Two types of vehicle trailers are used for over-the-road transport of safeguards material: the Safe Secure Trailer (SST) and Safeguards Transporter (SGT). The SST and SGT are the specially designed part of an 18-wheel rig which incorporates various deterrents to prevent unauthorized entry and removal of cargo. The SST and SGT trailers have been designed to protect the cargo against damage in the event of an accident. This is accomplished through superior structural characteristics and use of an aircraft-type cargo tie-down system. Both the SST and SGT provide ballistic protection and Radio Frequency (RF) attenuation and are designed with thermal characteristics that allow the trailer to be totally engulfed in a fire without damaging the cargo.
The tractors used with the SST and SGT are standard production units that have been modified to provide the federal agents protection against attack. Other vehicles in the convoy include vans or other types of vehicles. The tractors and escort vehicles are equipped with communications, electronic, and other equipment which further enhance enroute safety and security.
The vehicles used by OST meet maintenance standards significantly more stringent than those used for similar commercial transport equipment. All vehicles undergo an extensive maintenance check prior to every trip, as well as periodic preventative maintenance inspections. In addition, these vehicles are replaced more frequently than commercial shippers. As a result, OST vehicles rarely break down and there have been no accidents due to equipment malfunction.
[edit] Travel precautions
The OST attempts to ensure its convoys do not travel during periods of inclement weather. The OST monitors weather from their operations center and weather checks are performed every two hours. If the convoys are going to encounter or do encounter adverse weather, provisions exist for the convoys to seek shelter at previously identified facilities. As an additional travel precaution, the OST has imposed a maximum 65 miles-per-hour speed limit on its convoys, even if the posted limit is greater. Although OST provides sleeper berths in all vehicles, federal agents accompanying shipments do not exceed 32 hours of continuous travel without being afforded the opportunity for 8 hours of uninterrupted, stationary bed rest.
[edit] Transportation and emergency control center
The OST operates a nationwide communications system located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This system, known as the Transportation and Emergency Control Center (TECC), monitors the status and location of shipments and maintains real-time communications 24-hours a day with every convoy. TECC is the first line in the support of convoys. If the security of the convoy is threatened in any way, such as an accident, is prevented from moving by a group of protesters, or is attacked, the Convoy Commander in Charge (CCIC) or his/her designee will notify the TECC and provide details.
Through an active liaison program, the DOE maintains an emergency contact directory of federal and state response organizations located throughout the contiguous United States. During a convoy emergency, an open communications line is established and maintained between TECC and the appropriate state agencies. This way a continuous update of information from the scene can be relayed to the responding units.
Through many years of training and experience, DOE has fine-tuned a system of emergency response including initial notification, monitoring and assessment of the situation, and working with other agencies to resolve the emergency.
[edit] Emergency response
In the event of a vehicle accident involving an SST or SGT, the local responders (e.g., police, sheriff, state trooper, fire department, etc.), after the initial interface with the federal agents, will be asked to meet with the CCIC to discuss the situation and the best way to solve it.
Responders arriving at the scene are allowed to perform their normal response functions within the limitations prescribed by any security concerns that may be present at the scene. Due to the nature of the material being transported, federal agents will retain control at the scene but will also serve as a resource to arriving emergency responders. If an event occurs where the trailer is damaged, the federal agents in the convoy will provide information on the hazards of the material to the first arriving law enforcement or state official. This action is to warn and protect the public in the event of a hazardous release into the atmosphere. This will be accomplished by providing first responders with initial recommended protective actions for the local areas as soon as possible after the incident. The CCIC or his/her designee at the scene will give initial response protective actions to first responders. These are recommended actions and the local first responders are allowed to use their judgment and expertise to determine appropriate actions as necessary for their communities.
[edit] Declaration of a National Security Area
The declaration of a National Security Area (NSA) temporarily places land under effective control of the DOE/NNSA and results only from an emergency event that threatens the cargo of an OST safeguards shipment. A National Security Area is defined as an area established within the United States and used for the purpose of safeguarding classified, sensitive, and/or restricted data to protect DOE/NNSA equipment and/or material. The CCIC at the scene will define the boundary, mark it with a physical barrier, and post warning signs. The declaration of a National Security Area does not relieve state and local authorities of their responsibilities for the area surrounding the NSA, to include evacuations or other protective actions as needed.
[edit] Transportation safety record
Since its establishment in 1975, OST has accumulated over 100 million miles of over-the-road experience transporting DOE-owned cargo with no accidents causing a fatality or release of radioactive material. This is due largely to the OST philosophy that safety and security are of equal and paramount importance in the accomplishment of the DOE/NNSA’s transportation safeguards mission.
[edit] Liaison program
OST has a liaison program through which it communicates with law enforcement and public safety agencies throughout the country, making them aware of the OST mission. OST has established procedures should a law enforcement officer stop an OST vehicle. The liaison program provides law enforcement officers information to assist them in recognizing one of these vehicles should it be involved in an accident and what actions to take in conjunction with the actions of the federal agents.
