Homeland Security, local agencies prepare for papal visit

A Department of Homeland Security official said Thursday his agency was surveying the security vulnerabilities of all Philadelphia buildings and facilities near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, where Pope Francis will appear twice in September.

William Ryan, protective security adviser in Philadelphia, said his agency was examining building exits, screening employees, and searching for hazardous materials to get ready for the papal visit Sept. 26 and 27. He said the agency would make security recommendations for the hotels and other buildings it surveys.

"We are trying to reduce the risk," Ryan said.

As many as 1.5 million people are expected on the Parkway for two outdoor appearances by the pope, a faith festival for the World Meeting of Families on Saturday, and a Mass the following day.

The scope of the event has generated intense security planning that began more than a year ago with federal, state, and local agencies, even before the pope's visit was confirmed.

Heading the effort, designated a federal Special Security Event, is the Secret Service. Security procedures and issues will also shape preparations for the 2016 Democratic National Convention, which is also expected to receive the federal Special Security Event designation.

Ryan appeared Thursday at the 17th annual Safe Schools Summit at Neumann University. While papal security issues were discussed, the conference was focused on students and school safety.

Ryan said his agency had planned numerous training seminars and counterterrorism workshops this summer for police and private security. They will include information on searching for improvised explosive devices, how to identify suspicious individuals, and a one-day session on bomb threats.

Ryan offered no details of the security planning.

FBI Special Agents Daniel Tantino and Joseph Metzinger said it was important that departments and agencies work together.

Philadelphia Fire Department Lt. Danielle Wojnicki advised that people attending the papal event be prepared, packing extra medications, water, appropriate clothing, hand sanitizer, and sunscreen - even toilet tissue.

"Plan ahead, pack," she said.

Participants should have a meeting place if any in their group get separated. Wojnicki said parents can write their phone numbers on rubber bracelets for their children.

Wojnicki, who specializes in emergency medical services, said planners anticipated the possibility of excessive heat during the late-September papal visit.

The department has planned misting sprays, cooling stations, and an emergency stockpile of one million bottles of water a day.

Stocks of medication will be on hand for people with diabetes, as will oxygen for patients whose supplies run low, she said.

Philadelphia emergency services will likely handle the event with help from surrounding services, she said.

The Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lower Merion and Narberth, an ambulance service, has canceled all vacations during the World Meeting of Families, Chief Christopher Flanagan said.

Haverford police have met with Homeland Security and will focus on crowd control and pedestrian safety, Lt. Michael Glenn said.

"Surrounding agencies must support and provide any assistance needed," he said.

The Delaware County District Attorney's Office sponsored the event, which drew about 250 teachers, administrators, and police, fire, and emergency services officials.