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**Table of Contents**

250.2 - Objective

250.4 - Responsibility

250.41 - Assistant Director, Fire and Aviation Management Staff

250.42 - Regional Aviation Officers

350.43 - Site Manager/Site Security Officers

350.44 - Airspace Liaison [Reserved]

350.5 - Definitions

450.6 - References

**4****51 - PHYSICAL SECURITY******

551.1 - Security Standards

551.2 - Risk Assessment

551.21 - Vulnerability Level

651.22 - Probability of Threat

851.23 - Severity of Event Consequences

1051.24 - Risk Assessment Determination

1151.3 - Required Security Measures

**11****52 - AGENCY SECURITY RESPONSE ACTIONS******

1152.02 - Objective

1152.03 - Policy

1152.1 - Regional Homeland Security Advisory System Response Plan

1252.2 - Facility Homeland Security Advisory System Response Plan

1252.3 - Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) Response Plan Requirements

1252.31 - Low Condition (Green)

1252.32 - Guarded Condition (Blue)

1252.33 - Elevated Condition (Yellow)

1252.34 - High Condition (Orange)

1352.35 - Severe Condition (Red)

## 50.2 - Objective

Provide an aviation security program, which includes:

1.  Aviation facilities and aircraft security standards.

2.  Aviation security adjustment plans that respond to changes in the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) threat levels.

3.  Quick response emergency procedures.

## 50.4 - Responsibility

### 50.41 - Assistant Director, Fire and Aviation Management Staff

The Assistant Director, Fire and Aviation Management Staff, has the responsibility to:

1.  Establish aviation security policies and procedures for the Forest Service.

2.  Ensure that timely information about aviation security is shared with Forest Service personnel and aviation personnel as directed by the USDA Homeland Security Staff, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations Staff.

The Assistant Director of Fire and Aviation Management (Aviation) may delegate some of these responsibilities.

### 50.42 - Regional Aviation Officers

The Regional Aviation Officers have the responsibility to:

1.  Ensure the implementation of all aviation security procedures in the Region.

2.  Maintain a list of Forest Service Aviation Site Manager/Site Security Officers and alternates for all Forest Service aviation facilities.

3.  Serve as point of contact for Director of Fire and Aviation Management, Washington Office, on all aviation security matters.

The Regional Aviation Officer may delegate some of these duties and responsibilities.

### 50.43 - Site Manager/Site Security Officers

The Site Manager/Site Security Officers (SM/SSO) have the responsibility to ensure the implementation of all the applicable aviation security procedures and policies for their sites, either directly or by delegating responsibility to an agency designee.  The SM/SSO has the responsibility to:

1.  Complete the risk assessment process for the facility.

2.  Oversee maintenance of physical and procedural security measures for the aviation facility.

3.  Ensure development of Homeland Security Advisory System Response Plans.

### 50.44 - Airspace Liaison [Reserved]

## 50.5 - Definitions

Airspace Liaison.  An official representing the Forest Service to coordinate airspace issues as part of the Air Traffic Services Cell, a contingency organization of the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense.  

Aviation Facility.  A Forest Service operated site that engages in aviation activities.  

Risk Assessment.  Identification and evaluation of vulnerability, threat, and assets.  

Security Standard I.  Security measures for “standard security” facilities. 

Security Standard II.  Security Standard measures for “heightened security” facilities. 

Security Standard III.  Security measures for “maximum security” facilities. 

Self Assessments.  Security checklists contained in the United States Department of Agriculture Integrated Physical Security Standards and Procedures Handbook.  

Site Manager.  The official responsible for managing and supervising a facility.  

Site Security Officer.  The official responsible for ensuring security at a facility.  

Threat Levels.  The five threat levels of the Homeland Security Advisory System developed by the Department of Homeland Security.  

## 50.6 - References

Security Standard Requirements Guide (2003).  This document contains sensitive security information and is disseminated on a need-to-know basis.  This document is only available from Aviation Management Staff, Washington Office. 

United States Department of Agriculture Integrated Physical Security Standards and Procedures Handbook (2003).  This handbook is available on the World Wide Web at:

***http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/eng/documents/phys_sec.pdf*

(Further information on ordering and availability is at FSH 5709.16, zero code, sec. 06.)

# 51 - PHYSICAL SECURITY

Every Forest Service aviation facility must perform the following:

1.  Complete a risk assessment.

a.  Completion of a risk assessment determines which security standard applies to a facility.

b.  The risk assessment process evaluates the vulnerability level of the facility, the probability of threat occurrence, and the severity of event consequences.

2.  Determine a vulnerability level and probability of threat.

3.  Determine the severity of event consequences.

4.  Identify the Security standard.

a.  Designate the facility as a:

(1)  Security Standard I, standard security.

(2)  Security Standard II, heightened security.

(3)  Security Standard III, maximum security.

b.  Each of the three security standards establishes specific requirements for a facility.

c.  The exact security measures and procedures used to meet the security standard at each aviation facility may vary.

## 51.1 - Security Standards

Each aviation facility must meet one of three security standards which determine the amount of physical security measures needed at the facility.  Completion of a risk assessment determines the security standard for a facility.  The physical security measures required for the three security standards are in the Security Standard Requirements Guide referenced in sec. 06 of this Handbook.

## 51.2 - Risk Assessment

The manager of each Forest Service aviation facility must complete a yearly risk assessment to determine the security standard.  The risk assessment must include an analysis of:

1.  The vulnerability level of the facility, 

2.  The probability of threat.

3.  The severity of event consequences. 

After completion, the risk assessments, including the self-assessments (see sec. 06 for a definition), must be submitted and reviewed by the Fire and Aviation Management Staff, Washington Office, within two months of receipt.  

### 51.21 - Vulnerability Level

Each aviation facility must be evaluated for its vulnerability level, based upon self-assessments, by the Forest Service Aviation Site Manager/Site Security Officer. 

1.  The Forest Service Aviation Site Manager/Site Security Officer shall complete a Physical Security Self Assessment and Aviation Security Self-Assessment, according to the requirements found in Chapter 6 - Self Assessments of the USDA Integrated Physical Security and Procedures Handbook.  

2.  Based upon the completed self-assessment, the Forest Service Aviation Site Manager/Site Security Officer shall categorize the facility into one of the following:  

a.  High Vulnerability Level.  No meaningful security measures present.

b.  Medium Vulnerability Level.  Some security measures, either physical or procedural, are present.

c.  Low Vulnerability Level.  Adequate security measures, both physical and procedural, are present but could be improved.

### 51.22 - Probability of Threat

The Forest Service Aviation Site Manager/Site Security Officer shall evaluate the probability of threat, based upon consultation with and information from the Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations Staff, the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, local law enforcement, and other sources.  

1.  The evaluation of probability of threat should consider the likelihood of an event at the aviation facility and at potential targets within a 30-minute flight time of the facility.  

2.  The probability of threat must be categorized as possible, improbable, or remote.

3.  The probability of threat must be evaluated utilizing the Probability of Threat Evaluation in exhibit 01.

**51.22 - Exhibit 01**

**PROBABILITY OF THREAT EVALUATION**

### 51.23 - Severity of Event Consequences

1.  Evaluate the severity of event consequences by examining the impact that a breach of security could have on: 

a.  The completion of the Forest Service mission.

b.  The potential loss of assets.

c.  The impact on Forest Service personnel and the public.

2.  Categorize the severity of event consequences as catastrophic, critical, or marginal.

3.  Evaluate the severity of event consequences using the severity of event consequences evaluation set out in exhibit 01.

**51.23 - Exhibit 01**

**SEVERITY OF EVENT CONSEQUENCES EVALUATION**

### 51.24 - Risk Assessment Determination

Determine the security standard level for a facility by cross-referencing the probability of threat (sec. 51.22) and severity of event consequences (sec. 51.23) in the risk assessment matrix set out in the following exhibit.  The security standard may be increased to a higher security standard than indicated in the risk assessment matrix if the facility is rated as medium or high vulnerability (sec. 51.21).

**51.24 - Exhibit 01**

**RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX**

## 51.3 - Required Security Measures

Security standards I, II, and III contain required security standards that must be maintained at Forest Service aviation facilities.  

1.  The types of security measures required are commensurate with the level~~s~~ of protection needed for security standards I, II, and III.

2.  The security measures must be implemented on a priority basis as funding allows.

3.  The required security measures address several categories of protection.

4.  The physical and other security measures required for facility access and protection, security plan, information protection and temporary facilities and helibases are set out in the Security Standard Requirements Guide referenced in sec. 06.

# 52 - AGENCY SECURITY RESPONSE ACTIONS

### 52.02 - Objective

1.  To ensure the Forest Service is prepared to increase security standards at agency aviation facilities in response to increases in the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) threat levels.  

2.  To develop and implement appropriate agency-specific protective measures required by the Department of Homeland Security.

### 52.03 - Policy

1.  The Forest Service must design responses to threats based on the agency-specific protective measures required by the Department of Homeland Security.

2.  The Forest Service must immediately adjust the level of aviation security any time an HSAS threat level changes.

## 52.1 - Regional Homeland Security Advisory System Response Plan

Each Region must develop a Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) Response Plan that details the security actions that each Region will implement, based upon the HSAS threat level.  The Regional HSAS Response Plan must be reviewed by the Fire and Aviation Management staff, Washington Office.

## 52.2 - Facility Homeland Security Advisory System Response Plan

Each aviation facility must develop a Facility Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) Response Plan that is specific to that aviation facility and details the security actions the facility will take for each HSAS threat level.  The Facility HSAS Response Plan must be reviewed by the Fire and Aviation Management staff, Washington Office.

## 52.3 - Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) Response Plan Requirements

Each aviation HSAS Response Plan must address all of the following for each HSAS threat level.

### 52.31 - Low Condition (Green)

Continue to conduct physical security assessments of facilities and ensure employees are following protocols in the regional and aviation facility HSAS Response Plans.

### 52.32 - Guarded Condition (Blue)

1.  Ensure that assessed standards are in place and maintained.

2.  Forward information to personnel relative to the intelligence received.

3.  Use emergency checks to ensure communications equipment is operable.

### 52.33 - Elevated Condition (Yellow)

1.  Assess additional security needs based on specific targets or threats.

2.  Evaluate intelligence in conjunction with the FBI and other information sources to assess effects on the agency.

3.  Disseminate intelligence and security information to representatives.

4.  Maintain communications with local, state and Federal law enforcement.

5.  Update security codes at facilities.

### 52.34 - High Condition (Orange)

1.  Provide additional training and readiness information to identified target areas or affected individuals.

2.  Evaluate and confirm intelligence received in conjunction with the FBI and other information sources to assess potential effects on agency.  Provide continuous dissemination of intelligence to appropriate representatives and field units.

3.  Ensure that assessed standards in the regional and aviation facility HSAS Response Plan are in place and maintained.

4.  Arrange for additional security measures, such as adding more security personnel, based on identified targets or threats.

5.  Notify law enforcement and emergency personnel to be on standby.

6.  Evaluate abandoning bases that may be likely targets.

7.  Evaluate readying alternate bases in strategic locations.

8.  Evaluate agency aircraft status to determine availability of aircraft and pilots and ensure pilot assignments are made for each aircraft.

9.  Prepare to relocate aircraft to alternate locations in order to meet current mission requirements and the high condition orange threat level.

10.  Evaluate circumstances and determine the need to contact homeland security representatives and/or law enforcement and to evaluate placement of additional equipment to meet mission requirements and the high condition orange threat level.

11.  Update security codes at all facilities.

12.  Notify law enforcement, Geographic Area Coordination Centers, and other appropriate personnel of the status and availability of aircraft.

13.  Lock down secondary access points to facilities in order to provide a single entry-point.

14.  Establish an airspace liaison with the Air Traffic Services Cell at the Air Traffic System Command Center (ATSCC) when Security Control of Air Traffic and Navigation Aids (SCATANA), Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic (ESCAT), or a similar emergency airspace control mechanism is activated.  This airspace liaison shall coordinate flight priorities for firefighting emergency operations exempted under SCATANA/ESCAT.

### 52.35 - Severe Condition (Red)

1.  Close facilities or areas according to threat and ability to maintain security.

2.  Redirect law enforcement and emergency response personnel as needed to protect critical facilities and resources.

3.  Prepare to leave bases that could be targets or activate temporary bases in strategic locations.

4.  Update security codes at all facilities.

5.  Notify law enforcement, Geographic Area Coordination Centers, and other personnel of status and availability of aircraft.

6.  Restrict access to facilities to assigned personnel only.

7.  Establish an airspace liaison with the Air Traffic Services Cell at the Air Traffic System Command Center (ATSCC) in the event that SCATANA (Security Control of Air Traffic and Navigation Aids), ESCAT (Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic) or a similar emergency airspace control mechanism is activated. The airspace liaison shall coordinate flight priorities for fire fighting emergency operations exempted under SCATANA/ESCAT.

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