PSSA Newsletter - March 2018

2 / 12

NEWS|ISSUE 18 March 2018
– 2 –
Launched 6th March 2018 Visit
AGM Approves Rule
Changes
The PSSA Annual General Meeting, held at the
conclusion of the January conference, approved a
number of bye law amendments. These included
setting meeting attendance obligations for PSSA
Council members (who are formal directors of
the Association) and allowing the Council to
set membership subscription scales. The latter
change was enacted to allow better forward
planning of subscriptions. The meeting also re-
elected continuing members of the Council and
Mark Wood (of Bristorm) joined the Council for the
first time.
Notice of vacancy for
new Chair of the PSSA
Simon Towers, who has been acting as an
independent executive Chairman of the PSSA
during its recent period of growth, advised the
2018 AGM that he would be standing down from
his position on the successful completion of the
HVMhub project. The preference of the PSSA
Council is to continue with the business model of
a part-time independent chairperson. Volunteers
or nominations for this role should contact Rob
Oliver at the PSSA offices for further information.
PSSA News
Conference Report – Meeting the
Challenge of New Perimeter Threats
The 2018 PSSA AGM Conference was themed “Meeting the Challenge of New
Perimeter Threats” – and drew a full house at Friends House conference centre on
Euston Road.
In the Chairman’s Report, Simon Towers briefed members on how they will
benefit from the new HVMhub project developed with the financial support of
the Joint Security & Resilience Centre (JSaRC), within the Home Office. The twin
initiatives of the HVMhub are a dedicated website providing guidance for those
with responsibility for perimeter security at permanent or temporary installations
or events. The website aims to provide a comprehensive guide to independently
tested hostile vehicle mitigation products and installers. The second strand is the
provision of a series of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) modules to
be offered via professional institutes, companies and other organisations. The
first two to be launched will provide guidance on the selection of products for
temporary and permanent applications.
Gary Heward, MD of the MFD Group, offered a consultant’s perspective on
client needs. His presentation included insights into the, sometimes low, level
of client knowledge when seeking a solution to a perimeter security problem.
The PSSA has plans to work more closely with specialist consultants to exchange
knowledge on best practice and product insights. Roger Upfold, HM Inspector of
Health & Safety, provided an in depth presentation on product, health and safety
law relating to powered gates and doors. This provided a timely insight into a
topic that the PSSA has been engaged on in consultation with the HSE, CPNI and
other representative organisations. His conclusion was that, “at present designers,
manufacturers and installers constructing and supplying doors and gates cannot
rely solely on existing standards”. This puts the onus on them to assess hazards
and manage risks. For PSSA members, there is the added consideration of taking
into account the possible competing objectives of safety and security. A further
speaker was Julie Thompson of the Hospital & Medical Care Association (HMCA).
She summarised private health packages, other insurance offers and helplines now
available from HMCA for PSSA members.
HVMhub is an information resource developed by the
PSSA to provide information and assistance to those
responsible for the safety and security of locations
that may be at risk of this type of terror attack.