This week your final draft project is due. That does not mean less than final! It only means that I will provide feedback to be incorporated into the final version that will be filed in the library an

Project Design

Student name

Institution

Date

How the Project Questions, Contradicts, or Reinforces Existing Theoretical Knowledge

This project critically assesses the effectiveness of airport personnel training for active shooter incidents, challenging the adequacy of current practices that emphasize procedural compliance over adaptive, scenario-based preparedness. It adds to earlier studies already indicating that the federal guidelines, like the DHS “Run, Hide, Fight” model and TSA Flight Training Security Program (TSA, 2024), can establish some baseline, but may be ineffective in the inherently high-risk and complex setting of an airport (GAO, 2024). The project challenges us to reconsider our dependence on static training constructs such as PowerPoint briefings and lesser tabletop exercises offering behavioral surface-level realism that undermines emergency readiness. The assertion that a certain level of training uniformity exists at every U.S. airport contradicts the conclusion that insufficient resources are available at every facility, particularly the smaller or more regional hubs.

Theoretical Framework or Critical Lens

High Reliability Organization (HRO) theory, the theoretical underpinning of this project, posits that maintaining an organization-wide mindset that is mindful, preoccupied with failure, and committed to resilience is needed in environments where unexpected conditions will be encountered and problems will emerge (Weick & Sutcliffe, 2015). Airports, as components of critical infrastructure, are populated by the civilian population in densely concentrated areas and share characteristics of HROs in that failure is not an option. In addition to these narratives, the project addresses Policy Implementation Theory, considering how top-down mandates such as TSA's 2019 Security Training Rule are interpreted and implemented at the ground level (Transportation Security Administration, 2024). This two-pronged framework allows for a more holistic critique, where HRO theory helps in cultivating fortitude and preparedness to weather crises in the first instance, and policy implementation theory helps identify how systemic deficiencies or ill-aligned incentives can limit the transfer of training and preparedness protocols from paper to practice.

Contribution to Knowledge or Professional Practice

This applied capstone project contributes a replicable, airport-specific active shooter training module incorporating virtual simulation, psychological readiness, and inter-agency coordination. Unlike general protocols, this module targets frontline staff, TSA screeners, airline personnel, and security contractors using role-specific strategies and realistic scenario-based training. It bridges the gap between federal standards and local implementation, serving as a model for scalable adoption across airports. The module enhances homeland security practices by providing evidence-based recommendations that reflect theory and field-tested practice, aligning with National Incident Management System (NIMS) principles and DHS preparedness goals (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2022). It also adds to scholarly discourse by synthesizing behavioral preparedness with operational training standards, an area historically overlooked in aviation security.

Limitations of Scope and Generalizability

Although providing important insights, the project is limited by some factors. The research investigates a single-case qualitative design, which may not allow for generalization across all airports across the USA. Findings discovered at one mid-sized airport may not be true for larger hubs like LAX or a local field. Due to IRB constraints, the project is limited to secondary data, federal reports, after-action reviews, and public documents. It may not be known that instead of recording, advantages from personnel at the airport might provide a deeper understanding of the training effect from the truth. Innovation and evolution of these airport-related policies and technologies might also make this modular training obsolete within a few years. By establishing a framework based on flexibility, functionality, and sustainability, the project remains up-to-date for future developments in the training method.

References

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2022). Active shooter response training for critical infrastructure. https://www.fema.gov

Government Accountability Office. (2024). Aviation security: FAA needs to improve oversight of training programs (GAO-24-567). https://www.gao.gov

Transportation Security Administration. (2024). Airport security training requirements manual (TSA MD 1542.4-2). U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Weick, K. E., & Sutcliffe, K. M. (2015). Managing the unexpected: Sustained performance in a complex world. John Wiley & Sons.