The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration, in cooperation with the Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA), has issued a new publication, “Safeguarding America’s Transportation System: Security Guide for Truck Rental Company Employees.”
The guide, prepared by the federal government with input from TRALA, is part of a cooperative effort to heighten security awareness within the truck rental industry.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with the federal government in disseminating this important security-related information to our industry,” said TRALA Chairman Mark Siegal, president of Edart NationaLease in Hartford, Conn. “Security and safety are key components to truck renting and leasing operations, and we are committed to keeping our industry moving forward on this front.”
The guide identifies certain behaviors and actions that employees of truck rental companies should observe from potential customers and other individuals during the workday. It also provides helpful information needed to report possible security threats. It is expected that the guide will augment existing security policies and procedures already in place within the industry.
“Security is a top priority for our industry, and TRALA will continue to work with government officials and our own security experts in our ongoing commitment to transportation security,” said TRALA President and CEO Peter Vroom. “We encourage all truck rental company employees to refer to this guide along with their own companies’ security procedures. They are the front line in thwarting security threats.”
TRALA also is working on a security self-assessment guide that soon will be available for all truck renting and leasing companies. The guide is a helpful tool for companies to use in assessing their own security situation and identifying areas where appropriate improvements can be made.
TRALA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a voluntary, nonprofit national trade association organized in 1978 to provide a unified and focused voice for the truck renting and leasing industry. TRALA’s membership includes more than 500 leasing and rental firms and 100 suppliers that make up nearly the entire truck renting and leasing industry. The renting and leasing industry is responsible for more than 35 percent of all new Class 3 through 8 commercial truck registrations.
