Security & Safety Briefs - Sept. 1 - Sept. 7

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The Latest Headlines:

• Former TSA Chief Criticizes Katrina Plan Execution
• DHS Temporarily Suspends I-9 Worker Checks
• Jacksonville Port Boosts Security Fees

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Former TSA Chief Criticizes Katrina Plan Execution

A retired admiral who played a key role in drafting the Department of Homeland Security Department's emergency plans said DHS was hesitant in executing it in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Baltimore Sun reported Wednesday.

Retired Adm. James Loy, who was DHS’ acting secretary until February and was the first administrator of DHS' Transportation Security Administration, told the paper that the need for an immediate federal response was evident but said DHS did not act fast enough to take the lead.

A National Response Plan, completed last December, makes the DHS secretary the top authority in a catastrophic emergency, the paper said.

Loy said the plan, which he still believes was a good idea, was supposed to resolve the question of who was in charge in an emergency, but he said some overlapping turf protections got in the way of effective execution, the Sun reported.

Both DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff and Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown have faced widespread criticism for a slow federal government response to the disaster, especially in New Orleans. FEMA is also part of DHS. Transport Topics

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DHS Temporarily Suspends I-9 Worker Checks

The Department of Homeland Security said that it temporarily will not sanction employers for hiring people who can't prove they're eligible to work in the United States.

he agency’s said it made the move in the wake of Hurricane Katrina victims lost their proper documents or fled their homes without them.

The suspension of the rules is for 45 days, DHS said. Employers still should fill out Eligibility Verification forms, also known as I-9’s.

Immigration law requires employers to verify that applicants are U.S. citizens, legal residents or have permission to work in the country.

DHS said government offices also were affected by the hurricane and won't be able to provide replacement documents immediately. Transport Topics

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Jacksonville Port Boosts Security Fees

Effective Oct. 1, the Jacksonville Port Authority will implement new security fees to offset the rising costs of port security measures, the port said.

Jaxport will amend its tariff to reflect these new fees, which will be charged to all vessels berthing during each port visit.

essels with 200 or more containers, loaded to or discharged from the vessel, empty or loaded, will be charged $2 per container per vessel call and all other vessels will be charged $1 per linear foot per vessel call.

Jaxport joins many ports around the country which have already implemented security fees, a step necessary to fund security programs. Transport Topics

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