Airport plans for the worst

By Mindy Honey
Society Editor
Originally published Oct. 28, 2009

Branson Airport security officials sat down with local emergency responders Tuesday to prepare for something they hope never happens — a terrorist attack.

The airport officials reviewed their security contingency plan, making sure all stakeholders know how to respond during a terrorist or security threat at the airport. The exercise is required by the Transportation Security Administration.

“Nobody is immune and that is why you want to test your procedures,” said John Della Jacono, TSA federal security director. “Name what can happen in a city, it can happen here at the airport, also.”

During the Aviation Security Tabletop Exercise, Branson Airport Security sat down with representatives from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Hollister Police Department, TSA and Taney County Sheriff’s Department, as well as the Western Taney County Fire Protection District.

They spent the morning talking about emergency plans and reactions to certain incidents that could occur.

“We don’t want when an incident happens, to not know who your partners are,” Della Jacono said.

Jesse Fosnaugh is the airport security coordinator at Branson Airport.

“Airports are usually a hard target, so the economic and psychological impacts are big,” he said. “When you attack it, it is going to have a lot of impact. The things that can happen at a big airport can happen here.”

He said sitting down and talking through various scenarios is a good exercise and a great way to make sure everyone is working on the same plan so if something does happen, they are prepared.

“It is something you hope never happens, but we want to be proactive not reactive,” he said.

Tuesday’s tabletop exercise is part of the airport’s Aviation Security Contingency Plan, which is required by TSA. TSA requires Branson Airport to hold the table-top exercises every three years.

Branson Airport opened in May this year.