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Operation Partnership Emergency Network |
PERIMETER ACCESS CARD SYSTEM
One of the biggest challenges we experienced after the tornado of 2000 was perimeter access. In essence, the perimeter surrounded the entire CBD and there are over 30 access points. Initially, officers were pulled from all over the city to control access. The extended duration of the perimeter required us to utilize county officers as well.
Since the tornado 2000, we have strived to improve our efforts for disseminating emergency information through the Operation Partnership Emergency Network. We are now striving to improve the perimeter access system. Through training and feedback from you, we hope to establish a system that is user friendly and effective.
As you know, preparedness begins well in advance of crisis. Through OPEN, we are enhancing our abilities to be prepared and to respond to critical incidents.
ICS establishes one Incident Commander (IC) for the entire event. Depending on the nature of the event, the Fire Department or Police Department may be in charge and that responsibility may change as the incident unfolds. In large events, multiple jurisdictions may be involved, all reporting to a single IC. When needed, the IC will appoint a Liaison Officer to coordinate with personnel from the different agencies and departments will be reporting to the IC at the Command Post. If there is a critical incident at your property, and a perimeter has been established, you would ask the Perimeter Officer to contact the Liaison Officer and inform them that you are on the scene. The Liaison Officer would then direct you as needed.
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Whether or not to establish a secured perimeter is determined by several factors. Safety is always the first concern. For example, the falling glass in the CBD during the tornado of 2000 required a larger perimeter because allowance had to me made for wind direction and speed. In emergencies involving hazardous materials, wind speed and direction will dictate the size and shape of the perimeter. Other reasons to establish a secured perimeter are to protect a crime scene or to isolate and contain suspects during Police Department operations. It is important to understand that one should never enter an area marked as secured area without explicit permission from a Perimeter Officer at the scene. |
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Perimeter access usually occurs in a layered format complimenting the priorities of the Incident Command System. For example, during the early phases of the emergency, the highest priority of the ICS is life-safety. Therefore, only those people needed for rescue efforts and to secure facilities (Fire, Police, EMS, etc.) will receive authorization for entry into the scene. As the incident progresses, stability becomes a higher priority. At that point, agencies and persons responsible for such actions as restoring power, water, sewage, phone, etc., will be allowed to enter the scene. Engineers and building owners may be allowed in at this point to assess damage and begin recovery operations. Later in the incident, additional recover personnel may be given authorization to enter, as well as tenants and others to continue recover efforts.
Color Coded Perimeter Access Cards
To limit the possible confusion at
emergency scenes, OPEN has developed a color coded perimeter access
authorization system, based on the colors used by the Homeland Security
Department. The color coded system is tied to the layered access approach
mentioned earlier, and works in coordination with the Access Vest System (read
more here).
Utilizing this color coded access system will greatly assist the Perimeter
Officers and reduce the amount of time for those that should access the incident
to do so.
Three key positions for each building have been recognized that can be of great assistance to the Incident Commander during any critical incident. These are the building owner/manager, security director, and chief engineer. People occupying these positions will have the option of obtaining a pre-issued perimeter access card that is color coded, and can be presented to a Perimeter Officer at an incident. This will allow the officer to rapidly identify the holder of the card, and allow, or deny entry based on the color of the card and the level of access allowed at the time.
The cards will be numbered and include a photograph for security measures. They are designed to be worn on an outer garment for easy identification by Perimeter Officers. The Director of OPEN will have the final approval for those receiving pre-issued cards.
Levels of Access
The color coded levels of access are as follows:
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Red Fire Department EMS Law Enforcement EOC Personnel |
Orange |
Yellow |
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Access Card Eligibility
To be eligible for a perimeter access card issued by OPEN, a person should hold one of the key positions mentioned earlier (Building Owner/Manager, Security Director, Chief Engineer). Also, this program is only limited to those personnel responsible for buildings meeting one of the following criteria:
At least 4 stories in height
At least 10,000 square feet per floor
Other buildings with special hazards as approved by the Director of OPEN.
Additional cards may be requested on a case-by-case basis and the decision to issue the additional cards rests with the Executive Director of OPEN. The cards are property of the City of Fort Worth and can be revoked at any time. Abuse of the OPEN perimeter access system will result in revocation of the card. If you wish to have a pre-printed access card, and meet the guidelines noted above, simply click here to view and print the application form. Once completed, mail the application to:
- Ofc. J. Cox #3256
- Neighborhood police Officer
- NPD#1
- 501 Jones St
- Fort Worth, Texas 76102
- Cell 817-851-2520
- Office 817-392-3963
- Fax 817-392-3985
When your application is approved, you will be given directions and an appointment time to have your card made, as well as instructions for the proper use of your card. For further questions, please email Officer Cox or call (817) 871-392-3963.
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