[The following information has been provided by Charles Gauthier, Executive Director of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) based upon briefings from the Department of Homeland Security.  (8/2/04)]

The following information was received today from the Department of Homeland Security.  It outlines general protective measures developed by DHS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  They are encouraging everyone within the highway community to assess the feasibility of implementing the following prescribed measures with a sense of urgency.

While these measures are mostly directed at trucking operations, school buses remain a potential means for terrorists to utilize in an attack.

1.         Verify the location and status of all trucks and buses that deliver to the Washington DC, New York City and Northern New Jersey areas.  Those vehicles without tracking devices may be tracked by the establishment of regular telephone (not cell) check in procedure.

2.         Where possible/feasible consider altering, suspending, or add protective measures to routes to the affected areas/ articulated targeted or places that fit the same profile (Major Financial Institutions) of the targets identified by DHS and FBI in previous messages.  Special attention should be paid to deliveries to facilities in close proximity to the articulated targets.

3.         Carriers should communicate with clients for the purpose of ensuring that appropriate security measures are in place and to articulate any security related business continuity issues.  Verify the identity of drivers as well as the times for delivery/pick up.

4.         Inspect any and all “weaponizable” cargo or trucks/buses/vehicles that have been unattended for an extended period of time.  Physically verify cargo amounts.

5.         Establish a protocol that will allow for security personnel to locate trucks (ongoing).

6.         Immediately report any and all missing trucks and weaponizable cargo to local authorities (DHS, FBI contact info attached) and the Highway ISAC at 1877-USA-SAFE (1877-872-7233). (Review past criminal activity for a period of 18 months).

7.         Report all incidents of potential surveillance or intel gathering of any kind.

8.         Those involved in the leasing and rental of trucks should take appropriate steps to verify the identity of customers, the location of all trucks, and report any suspicious request for equipment or features (example: any request for a wooden floor may mean that a terrorist operative is attempting to mitigate the chance of an explosive detonating prematurely due to the (static electricity) conductive nature of metal floors.  Report any missing or overdue trucks/buses.