Frequently Overlooked But Effective Protective Facility Design Concepts for Electric Utilities

The electric grid is comprised of various systems and facilities, some of which are more critical than others. However, frequently the most critical of these facilities are designed for functionality, but not to defend against a targeted attack by an insider or outsider.  In this session we will present examples of transmission substations, switchyards and control centers that were designed with unnecessary vulnerabilities built in, and compare them with other similar substations, switchyards and control centers that are well protected. This session will start with security considerations in the site selection phase, and work through topics such as sightlines, barriers, clear zones, building hardening and various other security considerations and how to apply them.  While the focus of this talk is on protecting electric utilities, our speakers have substantial real-world experience protecting various other types of facilities such as local and state government buildings, research facilities, schools, ports, chemical facilities, transportation systems, pipelines, and others.   

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

1. By the end of this session attendees will be able to understand that simply designing new facilities like they designed prior facilities is a mistake and missed opportunity.
2. Attendees will gain an appreciation for the many aspects that go into designing security into a critical facility from the ground up and consider site selection, topography, standoff distances, clear zones and various CPTED concepts.
3. By showing examples of weak versus strong security measures, attendees should be able to start to understand how their own facility security could be improved.

Presenters*

Larry Fitzgerald
Director, Security & Emergency Management, TRC Engineers

Mr. Fitzgerald, CPP, PSP, CPTED, manages a national security consultancy practice that focuses on physical and operational security for various aspects of critical infrastructure as well as softer targets such as schools, transportation systems, and public venues. He has authored articles and presented at over two dozen conferences regarding topics around security. He has assessed security at hundreds of facilities including power generation plants, ports, refineries, statehouses and government centers, K-12 schools, substations, police stations and others and helped several clients with security and emergency management matters following terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. 

Sarah Poskanzer
Managing Director | Senior Security & Emergency Planner, TRC Engineers

Ms. Poskanzer, CPTED, BPATS, is experienced in conducting security assessments and plans for school buildings/campuses, multiple types of government facilities, research hospitals, and electrical utilities nationwide. She has been engaged in emergency response and disaster recovery at the municipal and state level, including FEMA Public Assistance and ICS/NIMS processes. She has presented as state and national conferences on the importance of security design and quality assessment practices, as well as disaster recovery funding and processes. She has extensive experience in crisis communications, business strategy, and continuity, as well as municipal and county management. She has over two decades of in-house and consulting expertise with manufacturers, energy companies, nonprofits, and government agencies, helping to guide critical communication and operational initiatives.  

Jim LaPrade
Senior Security Consultant, TRC Engineers

Jim LaPrade, NCARB, CPP, has an unusually diverse background in security operations management, emergency response operations, incident management, training development and delivery, security consulting, facility security design and project management experience developed over more than 35 years. During a career in the U.S. Air Force, he assessed security facilities and operations protecting the nation’s most critical defense assets at home and abroad, led physical security operations in a variety of threat environments, trained and evaluated U.S. and NATO security forces, assessed facilities, and worked closely with local, state, Federal and host-nation law enforcement to protect people and property. Mr. LaPrade is well trained, experienced and highly skilled in crisis and incident management from multiple perspectives including corporate security, fire and emergency medical, natural disaster and search and rescue operations.

Jay Martin
Senior Security Consultant, TRC Engineers

Jay Martin, CFI, CPP, CPTED is a Senior Security Consultant with TRC and has over 30 years of experience as a security practitioner, leader and now as a consultant. He has experience assessing various types of facilities, which include high-profile government facilities, precious metals production facilities, electric transmission, maritime ports, transportation, and other critical infrastructure facilities in the U.S. and abroad. He has assessed physical security at approximately 75 electric transmission facilities as well as power generation sites and grid control centers.

*Note:  Speakers and content are subject to change without notice.

Credit Information

Completion of this webinar is eligible for 1 CPE credit.  CPE credits for ASIS-sponsored webinars will be updated in your user profile within 48 hours of completion.  Self-reporting of CPE credits is not required.