By Craig Anderson

DOVER — Two decades later, the significance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks hasn’t been lost, Master Sgt. Chuck Broadway said from Dover Air Force Base’s 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs office.

“(It) strengthened our resolve to defend our nation and we remain vigilant and prepared to ensure nothing like it ever happens again,” he said.

“The security of our service members, civilians and their families who support them is one of our highest priorities. As a matter of policy and to ensure their safety, we do not discuss specifics regarding force protection measures.

“The security environment is dynamic and continues to evolve. Dover AFB continues to examine ways to make our installations and facilities safer, leveraging innovative capabilities to deter and defeat any threat against the base.”

Following along with Federal Aviation Administration guidance as the attacks unfolded in 2001, “all aircraft were grounded, to include those at Dover AFB,” Sgt. Broadway said.

“Within 24 hours of the attack, Dover AFB had C-5 crews on alert status prepared to launch at a moment’s notice to answer the nation’s call.”

In short order, however, aircraft from DAFB were taking to the sky in support of the United States of America’s interests.

“Several days following the attacks, Dover AFB crews were among the first to deliver equipment and combat forces, projecting rapid global mobility in the early days of what would become Operation Enduring Freedom,” Sgt. Broadway said.

From security cameras, clear bags with limited contents and required to be a limited size, Jim Hosfelt said a new age of security operations emerged post-9/11.

“It used to be you could bring anything under the sun with you into the grandstand,” he said.

Indeed, that hasn’t been the case for years at the NASCAR races at Dover International Speedway (DIS), where Mr. Hosfelt serves as an Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Track operations.

“And it’s in the NFL, Major League Baseball, any event that draws a large amount of people,” he said.

Mr. Hosfelt said he didn’t think any security cameras monitored the activity at DIS in 2001, but they now cover the entire area. The cameras are linked with those at nearby Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, and Mr. Hosfelt said he coordinates with the security team there.

A multitude of agencies, including Delaware State Police, Dover Police, firefighters and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources, among others, are all part of the pre-planning meetings designed to anticipate what emergencies could occur and how they would be handled.

Just last week, Mr. Hosfelt and others were participating in a table-top exercise as the Firefly Music Festival, set for Sept. 23 to Sept. 26, neared.

“Everyone is an equal partner in this,” he said. “The planning for events and analyzing the ‘what-ifs’ never ends, it’s a constant process throughout the year,” he said.”

As with other states, the events of 9/11 and the fallout “changed law enforcement and the public safety community in Delaware,” Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) spokesman Arshon Howard said.

The DSHS was created in June 2003 when legislation was passed in Delaware’s General Assembly. It replaced the Department of Public Safety.

“This law not only renamed our agency but expanded our role to encompass the homeland security mission,” Mr. Howard said.

“In addition, law enforcement shifted from a traditional focus on crime and safety to include a terrorism component. Local law enforcement officers became front line defenders in the fight against terrorism and significantly improved their capacity to share, gather and analyze intelligence and investigate threats.

“Local law enforcement also improved relationships with federal law enforcement partners and communities to become a force multiplier in the fight against terrorism.”

With an increased eye on terrorism came the Delaware Information Analysis Center (DIAC), which expanded information sharing capacity.

According to Mr. Howard, “The DIAC, along with 78 others fusion centers across the country, helps safeguard the community by serving as a dynamic security nexus.

“To detect, prevent, investigate, and respond to criminal and terrorist activity, the DIAC disseminates intelligence and facilitates communications between state, local, federal agencies, and private sector partners to help them take action on threats and public safety issues.”

Also, Mr. Howard said, “in the days and weeks following the tragedy, Delaware law enforcement provided local escorts for emergency responders traveling to assist in New York.”

TidalHealth, which operates in multiple locations throughout the Delmarva region, is constantly evaluating ways to implement new technology and to enhance existing technology on their campuses. Since 9-11-11, the health system has increased its security presence to approximately 60 officers and implemented new regulations and training procedures to qualify as a ‘Special Police’ unit.

That designation gives officers additional authority, including arrest powers, and positions TidalHealth’s special police force to work even closer with local, state and federal agencies as required and/or in the event of a terroristic threat. TidalHealth has also installed over (500) security cameras on their campuses to monitor pedestrian and vehicular movements 24 hours per day, as well as upgraded its Emergency Operations Command Center.

“Twenty years ago, when 9-11 happened, you had two or three major world incidents occur yearly that caused you to pause, reevaluate your own situation locally, and assess if you were prepared to handle something of similar magnitude,” said James “Bo” Kennedy, Chief of Special Police at TidalHealth. “Now, with the world climate the way it is, those events are happening monthly—sometimes weekly—meaning even more in 2021 than 2011, evaluating ways to enhance our security team and systems to have the safest environment for our patients, their families and our staff is an essential part of my day, every day.”

Bayhealth released a statement that said:

“At Bayhealth when the events of September 11, 2001, unfolded our teams were ready to act. Many were prepared to travel to New York City or Washington, D.C. if they were needed. At our hospitals, our general security was immediately evaluated. In the days and weeks that followed, our health system placed strategic emphasis on emergency management and how we planned and prepared for large-scale events.”

Also sending a statement was Beebe Healthcare:

“With the horrific events of Sept. 11, 2021, being 20 years ago, we do not have any specific examples, but Beebe, as with many other health systems, have evolved in that time to include numerous measures to ensure the safety and security of our team members and the patients and families we serve. Beebe also recognizes and remembers the service and sacrifice of all those involved in the tragic events of 9/11.”

Staff writers Tim Mastro and Glenn Rolfe contributed to this story.