Hello [firstname],

FFDO Stakeholder Meeting

Held 08 October 2020

Las Vegas Field Office, Las Vegas, NV

The stakeholder meeting in LSV was well represented by FFDOA leadership.  FFDO Branch Manager Denise Stark-Jones and FFDO Deputy Branch Manager Dan Kuhn attended, representing TSA.

The FFDO population continues to grow and is approaching pre-covid numbers. 

FFDOs flew over 1 million missions in support of national security in FY 2024, with over 23 million missions flown since program inception, at an estimated $23 per mission cost to the U.S. Government.  As stated in many other communications, we remain the most efficient layer of security in TSA’s arsenal, and each FFDO should be proud of their contribution. 

Currently, the Program is operating under a Continuing Resolution (CR) for FY25. Once the government passes an FY25 Appropriation Act, we will know the FY25 Program budget. The program budget for FY24 was 26.8 million, which allowed the program to continue to pursue initiatives, with the number one priority being the completion of the Atlanta Recurrent Training Facility.  This will allow ATL RTP to plus up to full attendance (2 classes per week, 24 FFDOs per class) like Dallas RTP, which will give FFDOs more opportunities to complete their required training.  

The international harmonization effort is on track with around 22 countries currently in negotiations with the U.S. Government to accept FFDO missions.  However, the FFDO program continues to experience a high number of international incidents which certainly negatively impacts the ability of the program to secure agreements with foreign countries.

WE ASK THAT ALL FFDOs CONTINUE TO BE DILIGENT WITH THEIR EQUIPMENT AND CHECK / RECHECK THEIR LUGGAGE TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE NOT IN POSSESSION OF ANY ISSUED EQUIPMENT WHILE TRAVELING TO AN INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION NOT APPROVED BY TSA!

The stakeholder group has been working for some time now with the program to establish an “FFDO Roadmap” which will codify several program improvements in a TSA-approved document.   If approved, this roadmap will be a platform for the program for many years to come.  We will keep the membership informed of our progress!  

SENIOR FFDO!  Highly recommend this training for those who qualify!  (see my last FFDOA update for more information)

 

Keep an eye out for program updates and FFDO open houses which are scheduled throughout CY25!

 

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT FFDOA TO OTHER FFDOs!!!!

 

SEMPER VIGILANS!

 

Bill Cason
FFDOA President