Section 6: Homeland Security
Overview
The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for
many potential targets of both man-made and natural disasters. TxDOT
has some of the most critical infrastructure of any state agency, spanning
all 254 counties in the state. Employees at TxDOT must be prepared
and remain vigilant for any contingency. Threats to TxDOT infrastructure
range from ice storms, hazmat spills and terrorist attacks on bridges
and ferries. TxDOT personnel should always be on the lookout for suspicious
activities and should never confront or attempt to intervene when
suspicious activity is suspected.
Reporting
When suspicious activity is seen by or reported to a TxDOT
employee, the employee should report that activity to their supervisor.
The supervisor should then make the decision on whether to report the
activity to the proper authorities. If, in the supervisor's opinion,
the suspicious activity is related to homeland security or terrorism,
the supervisor should notify the Texas Department of Public Safety's
counter-terrorism unit at (866) 786-5972. That number will be answered
24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.
If the suspicious activity occurs at an Austin headquarters
facility, TxDOT security should be notified at (512) 465-7931. If
that line is busy, call their other line at (512) 465-7357. Both
of these lines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
As always, if there is an imminent threat to life or property,
the employee should call 911 and then notify their supervisor as
soon as possible.
This policy should not preclude any other actions dictated
by a specific security policy already in place, but should be considered
as an additional step to take when suspicious activities are seen.