Security Training in Israel: The Ultimate Counter-Terrorism Mission

Chief Executive Officer, Gerald ‘Dutch’ Forstater, a security expert with Professional Systems Engineering (PSE), is among an elite group of professionals embarking on a Homeland Security and Counter-Terrorism Observation Mission in Israel.

Top-ranking security, justice, military, and counter-terrorism officials will provide extensive security briefings. The former Commander of Mossad, Israel’s security service similar to the CIA, will address the group. Other officials providing briefings include Israel security force officials, airport security personnel, transportation police, border patrol, senior members of the Defense Ministry, and nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons scientists.

Some of the high-security profile sites to be observed include Ben Gurion International Airport, the Gaza Border, Machane Ofer Military Base in Jerusalem, Israel Supreme Court and the Senate, Hadassa Hospital (preparedness for mass disaster, casualties, and emergency treatment), checkpoints in the West Bank, and religiously and culturally significant locations.

Topics will explore security concerns ranging from actual day-to-day events to worst-case scenarios. Forstater is excited about this unique training mission, stating, “This is an opportunity to learn first-hand from the most experienced security professionals in the world. These individuals are dealing every day with serious security concerns within a volatile environment. This exposure will help me develop solutions for our own homeland security.”

Mr. Forstater is among a select group of law enforcement and security experts from a variety of private and government sector entities participating in this weeklong close-encounter designed to prepare U.S. sites to deal with terrorism at a level comparable to Israel’s defenses. He will be videoconferencing daily with his staff to explain the unique and special challenges lying ahead in public safety and security.

‘Dutch’, a popular presenter across the nation at security and safety events, plans on sharing his experiences for all to appreciate through utilization of the newest digital photography equipment.

PSE has earned a national reputation in providing engineering, design, and consulting services for innovative and technologically-advanced systems in security, communications, and fire protection. PSE performs large-scale, multi-phase engineering programs for facilities with the most critical security, protection, and communications systems requirements. These environments include airports, rail transit, emergency operations centers, corrections and justice facilities, education, utilities, and a variety of significant public places. Among the firm’s many accomplishments, PSE has long been recognized on National Geographic’s Megastructures program and was recently nominated for two Outstanding Engineering Achievement Awards in security, life/safety and communications. The firm was founded in 1986.