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The Emergency Film Group crew recently traveled to Grand Central Station as we continue production of our latest project, Target: Transportation Systems. The training program is funded by the United States Congress and designed to support the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) and law enforcement efforts to prevent and deter acts of terrorism. (See related story here.)

A special thanks to the New York Mass Transit Police Department and to Metro North Railroad for all their assistance!

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Over the past few years, terrorist acts like the Oklahoma City bombing, 9/11, the attempted bombing in Times Square, and numerous foiled attacks, have changed the way law enforcement police our cities and towns. The threat of terrorist attacks – improvised explosive devices (IED), biological and chemical weapons – don’t just happen in foreign countries anymore. It’s no longer just a war on crime law enforcement face when they hit the streets every day, but also a war on terrorism.  

As the events of the Boston Marathon bombing unfolded and the world watched as hundreds of law enforcement and emergency responders sprang into action, utilizing all the knowledge and training they’ve received, and displaying incredible courage, our company felt humbled, knowing that some of our programs may have played a small part in the outcome.

Several of the City of Boston public safety agencies are on our client list – including the Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department and Boston Emergency Medical Services. Terrorism: Explosive & Incendiary Weapons, Detecting Weapons of Mass Destruction, Terrorism: 1st Response, Terrorism: Radiological Weapons, Terrorism: Biological Weapons are just several of the many Emergency Film Group programs these agencies have purchased, as have many of the other federal, state and municipal agencies who were called in to assist.

Other EFG clients include the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, CIA, OSHA, Environmental Protection Agency, Honeywell, IBM and US Steel, as well as thousands of other federal, state and municipal agencies, hospitals, universities and private corporations.

Emergency Film Group and Detrick Lawrence Corporation have produced over 150 training programs on emergency response and won more than 140 awards for training effectiveness and filmmaking excellence.

Each Emergency Film Group training program is developed with guidance from a technical committee of the foremost authorities in the subject field. Many of them serve on the committees of standards-making organizations - guaranteeing that the information is accurate, authoritative and current with relevant consensus standards and federal guidelines.

Training films typically run from 18 – 25 minutes and cost between $75, 000 - $125,000 to produce. Actual fire fighters, law enforcement personnel and emergency responders appear on camera – ensuring authenticity and adherence to regulations. EFG’s technical committee reviews our library of programs regularly to make sure each one production is up-to-date.

A full list of the products we offer can be found here. . .

Prop used in EFG's 'IEDs & VBIEDs' training film.

Emergency Film Group has begun production of its latest project, Target: Transportation Systems. The training program is funded by the United States Congress and designed to support the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) and law enforcement efforts to prevent and deter acts of terrorism. The project is organized in four modules, describing the vulnerability of transportation systems to explosive device attacks and how transportation industry personnel can make major contributions to the security of the nation’s transportation network.

Filming of the first module recently took place on location at several Massachusetts transportation facilities. This program studies terrorist attacks on transportation systems around the world and filming included re-enactments of several major terrorist incidents. Both facilities personnel and local actors participated in the filming.

Several scenes were filmed at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport, in West Tisbury, and featured different methods of concealments of improvised explosive devices (IED) as well as basic security procedures to prevent terrorist attacks.

EFG films at Martha's Vineyard Airport.

Another day of filming was spent at the Steamship Authority ferry terminal in Woods Hole, both aboard the SSA’s vessels and at the ferry terminal in Woods Hole. EFG’s crew, with the help of several local boat owners, the Falmouth Harbormaster and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute was also able re-enact examples of terrorist actions on the water.

The third day of filming was spent with the MBTA Transit Police Department.  Three MBTA facilities – South Station, World Trade Center Station and Courthouse Station - became the scene of “terrorist activity” as the EFG’s cameras rolled. Several MBTA Transit police officers participated in the filming, including the Transit Police’s bomb squad.

Other programs in the series will focus on in-depth look at IED components, the mind set of terrorists and how the set about to organize an attack, and responses to suspicious objects, including protective actions, incident command and response priorities.

As with all of Emergency Film Group’s productions, this program was created with the assistance of an expert technical committee, with members from Safe Skies, Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP), TSA, Transportation Explosives Security Training Center (TESTC), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), NYPD Bomb Squad and the FBI.

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The second part of Emergency Film Group’s production shoot for Responding to Highway Incidents Involving Commercial Explosives brought us to Alabama. (See related story here).

Sound engineer Dillard Morrison and DP Jim Simeone preparing for shot.

Our first stop was at a surface coal mine run by Nelson Brothers Inc. Our crew was given a tour of the mine, including a demonstration of how the coal is exposed. We got some great technical footage of the way commercial explosives are utilized in this endeavor.

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Day two in Alabama was spent with the all-volunteer Dora Fire Department. One deadly scenario that can occur when transporting commercial explosives is the truck catching on fire. The Dora F.D. did a great job in helping us create that situation for the film. We also did some filming at a local home that had previously burned down, recreating another dangerous situation that emergency responders should always be aware of when dealing with any kind of incidents involving explosives. (See related story here.)  

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The Emergency Film Group production team recently traveled to Texas and Alabama to film location shots for a project for the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME). According to its website, the IME “develops recommendations and guidelines for all facets of explosives operations from manufacture to use and disposal. These recommendations and guidelines are produced as Safety Library Publications and promoted throughout the industry and to regulating agencies.”

The film, Responding to Highway Incidents Involving Commercial Explosives, will provide training for firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, truck drivers, industry personnel, and others who may need to respond to an incident involving commercial explosives. Commercial explosives play an important role in today’s world and are utilized in mining, construction and in the petrochemical industry.

Over seven billion pounds of commercial explosives are manufactured and used every year in the United States. Most of these explosives must be transported over the highway. The IME and the US Department of Transportation (DOT) have established rigorous and comprehensive safety practices to help prevent accidents.

One of the scenarios highlighted in the film involves guidelines and procedures emergency responders should follow when a truck transporting commercials explosives is involved in a vehicle accident. EFG had the pleasure of working with the Fort Worth Fire Department. Members of the department, as well as members of the Fort Worth Police Department, participated in the filming. Several local actors also played the roles of ‘victims’ and ‘bystanders’. A great job by everyone involved.

All of Emergency Film Group’s programs are created with the assistance of leaders in emergency response training. This technical committee for this program included experts from The Austin Powder Co., Core Labs, North America Orica Mining Services, Nelson Brothers Inc., Halliburton, Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and Eastern Kentucky University.