Maryland Active Shooter/Assailant on a Bus
Capitol Heights, MD | May 15, 2023
PURPOSE:
This half-day event will provide industry professionals an opportunity to discuss processes, expectations, and issues relevant to the School Bus, Motorcoach, and Mass Transit Bus industries. Participants will receive an intelligence briefing, TSA resources and programs overview, an industry specific security briefing, discuss hypothetical active shooter/assailant on a bus in a tabletop exercise and observe a law enforcement demonstration

The purpose of this exercise is to provide Bus Operators the opportunity to discuss security concerns facing the School Bus, Motorcoach, and Mass Transit Bus industries, review security procedures that guide information sharing, implementation of physical protective measures, and operator’s roles and responsibilities during a law-enforcement response to an active shooter/assailant threat.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Please submit the requested registration information (form to the right) so we can compile an accurate roster of attendees and contact you should the need arise. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email. Please check-in upon arrival.
  • Cost to attend: No Charge/Free
  • Registration and attendance at the exercise is limited to invited participants only
  • This event is not open to the general public
  • This event is not open to the media
  • Lunch will be provided
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
The deadline for registering for this event is May 8, 2023
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Please note that, due to local ordinance, the usage of tobacco products of any kind (including e-cigarettes) is prohibited on the property.
LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS:
Academy Express
1700 Rochell Ave
Capitol Heights, MD 20743
AGENDA:
Monday, May 15, 2023

7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Registration & Networking

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Opening Remarks and Exercise Overview

8:30 AM - 10:20 AM
Participant Briefings

10:20 AM - 10:30 AM
Break

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Tabletop Exercise

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Law Enforcement Demo

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Hot Wash Discussion

3:00 PM - 3:10 PM
Exercise Survey and Participants Adjourn

3:10 PM - 4:00 PM
Evaluator Debrief


OBJECTIVES:
Mission Area: Prevention
Core Capability: Intelligence and Information Sharing
  • Objective 1: Discuss suspicious activity, security threat indicators and primary attack methods that are applicable to the bus industry
Mission Area: Protection
Core Capability: Intelligence and Information Sharing
  • Objective 2: Discuss suspicious activity, security threat indicators and primary attack methods that are applicable to the bus industry
Mission Area: Protection
Core Capability: Physical Protective Measures
  • Objective 3: Discuss immediate actions bus operators/passengers may take to mitigate security hazards that arise unexpectedly
Mission Area: Response
Core Capability: On-scene Security and Protection
  • Objective 4: 3.Discuss actions bus operators might take in response to an active shooter/assailant threat near or onboard a School Bus, Motorcoach and/or Passenger Bus
Mission Area: Response
Core Capability: Operational Coordination
  • Objective 5: Discuss the coordination between law enforcement and operators during response to an active shooter/assailant threat
Mission Area: Recovery
Core Capability: Operational Coordination
  • Objective 6: Participants are to discuss the roles, responsibilities and authorities of federal, state, local organizations during transportation infrastructure recovery activities following a threat condition.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND:
Background
The Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Intermodal Security Training and Exercise Program (I-STEP) provides exercise, training, and security planning tools and services to the transportation community. The program focuses on the security nexus of the intermodal transportation environment, serving mass transit, freight rail, pipeline, port and intermodal, highway and motor carrier, and aviation modes. Working in partnership with the transportation modes, I-STEP enables security partners to:
  • Enhance security capabilities – Strengthen plans, policies, and procedures; clarify roles and responsibilities; validate planning needs; and strengthen grant proposals
  • Build partnerships – Develop relationships with regional transportation players and other stakeholders.
  • Gain insights in transportation security – Network with peers to gain a deeper understanding of security lessons learned and best practices.
I-STEP is the only Federal exercise program to focus on the security nexus of the intermodal transportation environment. As a result, the program reduces risk to individual systems as well as the entire transportation network. I-STEP aligns to TSA's Transportation Systems Sector-Specific Plans (TSSSP) under the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP). The office of Policy, Plans, and Engagement (PPE) manages this program.

The Exercise Information System (EXIS) portal guides users through a step-by-step exercise planning process to develop their own specific security exercise. EXIS is an intuitive system providing a variety of exercise planning and evaluation tools as well as lessons learned and best practices from the DHS Transportation Systems Sector and other aligned user communities. Lessons learned and best practices from exercises and training events along with intelligence information help shape transportation security policy and guidance. Go to: https://exis.tsa.dhs.gov to receive an account and use the tool.

I-STEP Programmatic Goals
  • Develop a comprehensive transportation security exercise program
  • Serve as a training resource for TSA security partners
  • Foster information sharing/collaboration among security partners
  • Provide support services to TSA modal representatives
Exercise registration is closed



Privacy Policy   |   Accessibility   |   Terms of Use   |   Contact Us   |   FirstGov   |   TSA   |   DHS
Official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security / Transportation Security Administration
OMB Control Number: 1652-0057