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    1. Safety & Security

    MARTA Police Department receives TSA Gold Standard Award

    April 29, 2022
    The award recognizes excellence in the department’s security plan and security training, drills and exercise programs, public outreach efforts and background checks.
    Related To: Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
    MARTA
    Tsa Gold Standard Award Marta 626bfb88d0859

    Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has awarded the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit the Gold Standard Award for its security program.  

    Representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and TSA presented the award to MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher and his department at a MARTA board committee meeting on April 28. The award recognizes excellence in MARTA Police Department (MPD) security plan and security training, drills and exercise programs, public outreach efforts and background checks. 

    “I am proud to accept this award alongside the dedicated officers in the MARTA Police Department,” said Chief Kreher. “In particular, MPD’s Emergency Preparedness Unit has worked to ensure that MARTA is a safe, secure transit system and that officers are trained and well-prepared to handle all types of emergencies.” 

    The Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE) Program is a voluntary security assessment of mass transit and passenger rail systems performed by TSA transportation security inspectors. The Gold Standard Award is the top recognition the TSA gives to a transit agency for achieving the highest scores on its BASE review that evaluates 17 categories of security and emergency preparedness action items identified as fundamentals for a sound transit security program.  

    The BASE Program was developed to increase domain awareness, enhance prevention and protection capabilities and further response preparedness of transit systems nationwide. BASE is aimed at meeting the requirements in the 9/11 Commission Act’s security assessment section that directs the TSA to identify critical assets, infrastructure systems and their vulnerabilities, as well as assist public transportation authorities to address their security programs.