DATE: November 25, 2020
TO: All Personnel, LGA, HPN, ISP, SWF
FROM: Robert A. Duffy, Federal Security Director, LGA, HPN, ISP, SWF
SUBJECT: Weekly Update
I will start this week’s update with some great news. I received notification that LGA won the DHS Secretary’s Award this year for the COVID-19 Award. This is obviously a new award based on the pandemic. The criteria were based on the response of an agency or unit to the pandemic. The leadership team felt sure we had a very compelling case for this award, so I sent the nomination in earlier this fall. The nomination included the fact that we had over half of our workforce out of work at the peak of the pandemic’s impact in April. To compound our problems, the MTA closed the subways from 0100 – 0500 daily which affected out first shift getting to work, and still has an impact on our officers arriving for first shift. An explanation was given as to the creation of our Task Force and the outstanding effort they made to keep our personnel protected and also how we have managed to keep in contact with everyone affected by the pandemic. I added that we never had to close LGA due to a lack of staffing at the peak of impact, and that all flights departed as scheduled because you came to work every day. You overcame the fear of becoming sick with COVID-19, overcame the closure of the subways overnight, you overcame the threatening conditions on the subways, overcame the rioting and civil unrest and we also helped to open the new Terminal B on time after completing over 12,000 hours of training for over 260 officers. We also helped keep Liberty Airport (EWR) operational at the peak of the pandemic’s impact to that airport by sending officers to EWR. You deserved this award and the national recognition that goes with it for your incredible effort through unprecedented times, and I am extremely proud of all of you. Thank you all for your fortitude, determination and patriotism to continue to carry on the TSA mission through such difficult times.
At LGA we now have all 17 lanes in Terminal B operational. We also received the first two CT units at LGA. They are in Terminals B, Lane 17 and C, Lane 4. We will be receiving additional CT units in 2021. We now have CT units at ISP and LGA. We now have the Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units at LGA, ISP and HPN. We expect to add SWF to the new equipment list in 2021.
We are currently working with the PANYNJ and LGP to establish a VIP lane in Terminal B at LGA. It will be located on the first floor next to the employee screening area. Passengers using the lane will pass through a regular screening lane (non-ASL) and then take an elevator to the 5th floor in the sterile area where the restaurants and retail stores are located. The Concept of Operations plan is in progress.
Lastly, I want to take this time to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. We all have much to be thankful for in spite of the serious hardships and heartbreaks many of us have had to endure this year. Difficult times do bring people closer together as a result of the common bond developed in helping each other through the challenges and hardships faced together. I hope you all take time to reflect on what you have to be thankful for while overcoming so much adversity this year.
I am thankful for the honor and privilege to know you, lead you and serve you.
All the best to you and your loved ones this Thanksgiving.
Regards,
Bob Duffy
