Equipment Security Training Courses

Smart Approach is a global provider of leading high-tech security training solutions, including computer based (CBT) x-ray screener training and security training solutions.

As a well-established organisation with a proven track record, our solutions are specifically developed to assist people who are involved in protecting high-risk environments; such as airports, aircraft, ports, cruise ships, law enforcement centres, military bases and government buildings.

Smart Approach is recognized for its ethical and professional business approach to its many clients, which is just one of the reasons that Smart Approach x-ray screener training and security training solutions are currently being used to train over 250,000 screeners world-wide.

Following the events of 9/11 and the 7 July London bombing, and as threat levels shift to severe, millions of lives are increasingly reliant upon the proficiency of security staff.

Every day countless packages and baggage items are screened for potentially lethal articles, Existing technology is only effective if security screeners are well-trained to recognise the numerous types of threats and if they can fully utilise the security equipment on hand, Security personnel must be familiar with metal detectors, physical search procedures, hand-wanding, x-ray machines, ion detection, EDS machines and much more. Training for x-ray screeners and security is increasingly vital for development and maintenance of these skills, especially with new technology and emerging threats on the horizon.

We have a unique understanding of the challenges involved with training security professionals and through a combination of security expertise and market leading products we are able to help your organisation maintain and increase screener competence.
We offer a range of high-tech security training solutions which have been developed using our specialist experience in the aviation industry and our work with the leading manufacturers of security and simulation equipment.

We provide flexible and affordable high-tech security training solutions to a vast range of clients of all sizes around the world on a basis that suits their requirements; from a one off licence fee to a monthly pay-per-user charge. All clients have the opportunity to benefit from the after care and maintenance programme which ensures they always have the back-up and support needed.

The Course Modules

This module gives an introduction to the course, the legal basis for passenger screening and a screening officer’s duties and responsibilities at the checkpoint. It describes some past security incidents to enable screening officers to understand the importance of their task.

Users are taught about the four categories used for screening: Non-threats; possible threats; definite threats and dangerous goods and what kinds of items are associated with each. They are instructed as to what action to take should a threat item or dangerous goods be identified. A series of interactive exercises in this module help users recognise non-threat, definite threat, possible threat and dangerous items together with their corresponding x-ray images.

The various methods for screening a passenger prior to them boarding an aircraft are addressed in this module. These are:

This module describes how to screen passengers’ hand-carried items using X-ray screening equipment and the safe operation of X-ray equipment is discussed. A series of exercises to practice conveyor belt control, use of the zoom function and image enhancement tools for the Heimann 6040 and a Rapiscan 500 series x-ray machine.
Plug-in x-ray simulators for L3 Linescan 200 series, L3 PX-M, Heimann 6040i and Rapiscan 500 series cargo machines are available to complement the course. The procedure for conducting a physical bag search in the event that a bag is suspected to contain a possible threat is demonstrated, the importance of noting objects which seem out of place or abnormally heavy is emphasized. The use of trace detection as a part of the search of suspect items in a bag is reviewed this includes swabbing procedure and how to analyse a swab using typical trace detection equipment. Possible scenarios are explored covering both innocent reasons why an alarm may be triggered and what action to take when a security officer is not comfortable with the passenger’s explanation.

The Smart Approach X-ray screening machine simulator is introduced and the trainees are shown a typical simulation session followed by a review.

This course is very similar to the Aviation Security Screener course but is directed more for checkpoint security personnel guarding government buildings, power stations, military establishments and other sensitive facilities. It covers all aspects of security from x-ray scanning to physical search techniques.

Written in consultation with a number of security managers and drawing on our own security knowledge, this course has been designed to train newly recruited security officers to the very highest standards and practices. It covers all aspects of a checkpoint officer’s duties. Including:

The Course Modules

In order to set the scene this module provides the background and an overview of the course, the legal basis for personnel screening, and a screening officer’s duties and responsibilities at the checkpoint. It describes methods used by terrorists to disguise threat items among seemingly innocent personal items and bags to help security officers understand the importance of their task.

Users are taught about the four categories used for screening: Non-threats; possible threats; definite threats and dangerous goods and what kinds of items are associated with each. They are instructed as to what action to take should a threat item or dangerous goods be identified. A series of interactive exercises in this module help users recognise non-threat, definite threat, possible threat and dangerous items together with their corresponding x-ray images.

The various methods for screening a passenger prior to them boarding an aircraft are addressed in this module. These are:

The correct practice in each area is covered in detail and supported with relevant video clips. Appropriate methods of dealing with atypical people, such as those with disabilities, carrying diplomatic bags, wearing religious clothing or authorised to carry firearms are reviewed. This module also details the appropriate actions to take in the event that an alarm cannot be resolved, a person refuses
some element of the screening procedure, becomes aggressive or flees from the checkpoint.

This module covers the important issue of operating x-ray equipment safely. It also covers the methods of screening bags and other items using x-ray screening equipment. A series of exercises to practice conveyor belt control, use of the zoom function and image enhancement tools for the Heimann 6040 and a Rapiscan 500 series x-ray machines are included. If required, plug-in x-ray simulators for L3 Linescan 200 series, L3 PX-M, Heimann 6040i are also available to complement the course.
The procedure for conducting a physical bag search is demonstrated and the importance of noting objects seemingly out of place or abnormally heavy is emphasized. In addition the use of trace detection is covered as a part of the search procedure for suspect bags. This includes the swabbing procedure and analysis of a swab using typical trace detection equipment. Possible scenarios are explored for reasons why an alarm may be triggered and the action to be taken should a security officer not be comfortable with the person’s explanation.

The Smart Approach x-ray screening machine simulator is introduced and the trainee is shown a typical simulation session followed by a review.

Inappropriately packed and undeclared dangerous goods have been the cause of major aviation incidents, such as the fire that broke out on ValuJet flight 592 causing it to crash into the Florida Everglades killing all on board. It is recognised that air cargo consignments are of interest to terrorists for the shipment of illicit goods to or the concealment of an explosive device intended to bring down the aircraft. Authorities are responding to the situation by requiring an increasing proportion of cargo to be passed through x-ray screening equipment.

It has become the responsibility of the carrier or its agent to provide adequate, on-going training of x-ray screener operators..
This course allows an x-ray operator to be exposed to a large number of x-ray images of cargo items many of which contain security threats such as improvised explosive devices
(IEDs). Real items of cargo are passed through the cargo x-ray screener and the images captured using SmartApproach’s technology. The resulting library of images is almost indiscernible from those produced by the x-ray machine including all strip options and other enhancements such as inverse, crystal clear and high power.

What constitutes a threat in the air cargo environment is can dictated by the content of the accompanying paperwork. A consignment of detonators accompanied by the appropriate dangerous goods declaration may be cleared by screeners while another similar consignment lacking the appropriate paperwork should be subjected to further investigation.

The trainee is presented with a sequence of x-ray images of cargo items plus a representation of the x-ray machine control panel. Pressing the various control keys on the panel using the mouse allows the various image enhancement functions to be activated exactly as they are on the x-ray equipment.

The trainee can also see a simplified version of the accompanying documents showing the air waybill and any dangerous goods declaration. The student has the choice to clear the item of cargo, reject it because of incorrect paperwork or reject it because of a threat item. The rejection process includes specifically identifying the item of concern and its location in the consignment.

At the end of a sequence of cargo of typically 20 – 30 cargo items (duration selected by trainer) there follows a session review with each item being revisited. The trainee’s decision to reject or clear the item is compared to the correct decision and reasons provided. An opportunity is provided to view any threat item and compare the x-ray image with a photograph.