Richmond, Virginia –
As a nation, the United States is approaching two decades since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. We live in a world altered by the reality that terrorism will continue to be a risk factor for the conceivable future. However, as an installation in support of warfighters, Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia, Defense Logistics Agency Aviation leadership handles this reality by arming themselves with insight from professionals who lead various security programs on-site.
One such professional is Guy Simmons, the manager for DLA Installation Support at Richmond’s Physical Security Program manager at DSCR. Simmons explained that the physical security program takes Department of Defense and DLA guidance and implements physical security measures on the installation based on the resources, assets and capabilities available.
“The way we look at [physical security] is that we start from the outside of the installation and work our way in to the more critical assets,” said Simmons. “It’s like peeling back an onion.”
Simmons explained the first layer that visitors to the installation will encounter is the gate access point and perimeter fence. The DLA police who manage the gates are equipped with the physical access control system called the Defense Biometrics Identification System.
“It bounces your credentials off against a database,” said Simmons. “It will come back and alert the officer if it is a valid card or if there is something that should prevent your entry into the installation. The officers will then take action depending on what the systems tell them.”
Once on the installation, the elements of physical security become less apparent, but more intuitive and designed into the structure of the installation and daily activities.
“You incorporate security into structure design and hardening, the type of doors and windows you install, the security lighting around the facilities and an electronic security system,” said Simmons. Hardening is the process of making a target less attractive to potential adversaries, he said.
Simmons explained there are three parts of the electronic security system: access control, intrusion detection and closed circuit television (CCTV).
He explained that live training provided by the Physical Security Program, modules on the Learning Management System and internal messages to the workforce are vital to physical security.
“People are overwhelmed with their day-to-day activities,” said Simmons. “That’s our biggest challenge, when you bring in the owners of the spaces and getting them to understand the importance of their awareness of the program.” He explained that simple habits such as locking doors and taking your common access card with you can have huge impact on the installation’s security.
Simmons explained that the most vital aspect of accomplishing his mission is communication and building working relationships. While he may get a lot of experience with this at work, the environment that has impacted his ability to communicate and build strong working relationships the most has been at the Matoaca Youth Athletics as the president and head coach.
“It’s very tough working as the president of an all-volunteer program,” said Simmons. “There are no incentives for volunteers to come to work. They won’t get a paycheck and there is nothing that will tie them here. If things aren’t going well they will quit, so it gives you a new perspective on how to deal with people. They have to know the purpose whether it’s the kids or that they enjoy working with and trust you.”
As a father of two boys, Simmons became involved with Matoaca Youth Athletics when his children started playing sports.
“I’ve been involved with coaching now for 10 years. Some of the kids that I first started coaching are now in high school and to hear them come back and still call me Coach Guy is impactful,” said Simmons. “It becomes more than just about your kids.”
Simmons explained that he tries to offer advice from his own life experiences and help them develop the skills needed to excel on and off the field.
“I try to stress the importance of sports and what you can learn from sports, but also how it all ties in,” said Simmons. Being on a team helps you learn how to work and communicate with others and accomplish goals together while also pushing yourself to become better, he added.
As a president of a volunteer program and physical security manager, Simmons merges those two perspectives and has been able to provide insight to leaders on how to best maneuver through an ever changing landscape.
“Each day brings its own challenge and resolution to meet customer needs or implement physical security requirements on the installation,” said Simmons. “But the most recent efforts over the past 2-3 years include a focus on sustaining and supporting the Electronic Security System on the installation.”
Simmons said efforts have consisted of working through Information Operations process changes for approval and coordination for implementing a system upgrade to a current platform and working with members of the DLA Installation Support at Richmond Installation Management team to transition the ESS support from contractor to government support. Once Complete, upgrades will allow for the use of the DOD CAC for facility/building access.
“ESS is a robust system with varying requirements that include coordination with several different groups locally at Richmond, as well as DLA Head Quarters, and Huntsville Army Corp of Engineers to get to where we are now,” said Simmons. “Today we still are building and expanding our ESS working group to include adding all installation stakeholders that play a role in future ESS operations on the installation that protect DLA assets.” Stakeholders are DSCR and tenant activity employees, installation management, installation space manager, Information Operations and other security and emergency services divisions.
“My biggest accomplishment I think was making sure we kept communication lines open, bringing in the right level of subject matter experts to execute, elevating concerns as needed, and always keeping the end goal at the forefront of a long process,” said Simmons.
Editor’s Note: Over the next several months, we will explore various departments that support the safety and security of Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia, and the professionals who are key to the departments’ successes. Look for our next article featuring Don Bartlett, criminal intelligence analyst, June 5.