San Francisco tests reaction to security threats

San Francisco tests reaction to security threats       The Transportation Security Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard began a series of port security exercises yesterday in San Francisco designed to improve communication and coordination among port operators, government officials, emergency responders and surface transportation providers. The port captain will use the test results to review and update area maritime security plans to prevent terrorist attacks.
   Test scenarios include how officials react to discovering a suspect cargo container or to an explosion at a seaport rail yard. Four companies under contract to TSA developed simulation software to run the different scenarios and databases to monitor and evaluate the exercise. The Federal Highway Administration and the Maritime Administration are also participating in the exercise.
   San Francisco is the first of 40 seaports scheduled to participate in the tests during the next three years.