Just a few years ago, the term IED was unknown, or at least not in wide use among civilians. Sadly, these days, almost everybody knows the abbreviation for improvised explosive device. Almost daily, we see the effects of the devastating bombs.

Usually, it’s abroad. But we know the fight against terrorism is a global struggle. Preparing to identify threats and prevent attacks is crucial for those who work to keep us safe at home as well as overseas.

That’s why the Department of Homeland Security recently held an IED awareness workshop at Savannah’s Maritime Logistics Innovation Center (MLIC) on Georgia Tech’s Savannah campus. Over 50 participants representing private security professionals, three police and fire departments, the US Coast Guard, US Customs and Border Protection, and local hospitals were in attendance.

The media were not allowed to attend, but WTOC was able afterward to interview via email MLIC’s executive director, Page Siplon. (Just last week, the MLIC was renamed the Georgia Logistics Innovation Center, or LINC. Check here for details.)

His job, in a nutshell, is to improve efficiency at the ports and beyond. He works with public and private organizations to improve logistics and technology, and in these times especially, also works to improve security at our crucially important ports.

“I say quite often that I would much rather spend all of the resources and talent of MLIC working on issues and opportunities that focus more on the business side of logistics, topics like efficiency, cost reduction, competitiveness, instead of security,” he told us. “But this is the world we live in, and these are the challenges the logistics industry faces.”

The fact DHS chose his facility to host its workshop covering topics like current trends and threats, IED components and effects, prevention, and how to cope with multiple IED events, shows just how important this area is in terms of the local, regional, and even national security. But much of the critical infrastructure – and behind-the-scenes work to protect it – is invisible to those strolling down River Street.

“Savannah is a very important part of Georgia’s economy in many ways,” Siplon noted. “One of those are critical assets like our port community. Many people, even residents of Savannah, don’t realize that the container terminal owned and operated by the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is the third largest of its kind in the country. Further, GPA is just one of the 26-plus other terminals that make up the ‘Port of Savannah,’ including an LNG facility. Savannah is a really busy place when it comes to logistics.”

Siplon says his organization’s facility on the Georgia Tech campus is a great venue for this kind of important meeting.

“We have facilitated training and events like this in the past, and will do much more of it in the future, and every time we do what amazes me is the conversations, dialog and learning that goes on just between the participants before the training even really starts. Just getting people together in the right environment can be in itself a very powerful tool.”

Though the public may rarely get a glimpse at the work he and those who attended the DHS workshop do on a daily basis, everyone there would likely agree each of us can help secure our nation.

“I think for the general public, the big lesson to pass along is more common sense,” advised Siplon. “Keep your eyes open, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t hesitate to notify the appropriate authorities if you see something that does not seem right.”

Good advice for difficult times. And it’s good to know we’ve got professionals in our area working to solve problems – and exploit opportunities – never before seen.

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