Following President Bush's lead to increase airport safety and overall security on airplanes, U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., has introduced the Volunteers for Safe Skies Act of 2001.
The bill would allow firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians to register voluntarily and confidentially with the airlines to provide added security and medical aid in the event of an emergency.
The bill, which has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, would organize the flight check-in procedure to let airline officials know that law enforcement and health officials are on board during a given flight. Participants under the Volunteers for Safe Skies Act would serve on a volunteer basis only, without compensation, and only the airline crew would be aware of their presence.
Rod McLean, deputy director of Dane County Regional Airport, said he believes the bill has merit.
'I think there's some sound presence in this bill,' McLean said. 'Anything that we can do to enhance the security net for the public, to give the public a confidence level they didn't have a week ago, has merit.'
Larry Kamholz, public information officer for the Madison Police Department, also said he supports the bill, but that he does so with mixed emotions.
'It would be a good idea to have more professionals on board, dealing with situations that come up the best that they can,' Kamholz said. 'But taking weapons from state to state is difficult; individual state laws would have to be softened. ... We all came into this job to help people and want to help in any way we can. If having an extra official on board with a weapon helps the security of the nation, a lot of officers are for that.'
Dr. Susan Isensee, family physician at Dean Medical Center, 752 N. High Point Rd., said the bill is a good idea, with one exception.
'I think that, in view of the recent events, it's a good idea,' Isensee said. 'But the bill would have to protect health care workers under good samaritan laws, so that if they helped someone during a flight and something happened, they wouldn't be sued. If that protection were in place, I think [the bill] would be a reasonable thing.'
In a statement, Feingold said he believes the bill could help the flying public feel safe in the skies once again.
'We need to make dramatic improvements in airline security,' Feingold said. 'As we move toward solutions like sky marshals and tighter airport security, this bill will provide one additional way to help make our skies safer while at the same time making it easier for our police officers and firefighters to serve their country.'
