In the sending out of the 2019 T4s, ROEs and other communication by regular mail, we have many letters being returned due to the incorrect address we have on file. This may cause you to miss important documents being sent from the office.
Please review the mailing address on your pay stub. If it is incorrect, please send a note to Human Resources ASPHR@security-asp.com with your employee number (listed on your paystub) and your new mailing address and we’ll be sure to update our systems.
Congratulations to all our ASP teams on 20 years of Success!
In 1999, I was seeking an opportunity to expand on the success of a fledgling company called Airfield Access Inc. (AAI) at Toronto Pearson International Airport. After careful planning and assessing of risks, I developed the business plan that would thrust a new company into the security service industry. That company became known as ASP Security Services and was established April 13th, 2000.
Twenty years ago, our business focus was strictly aviation. There was a significant niche that was not being sufficiently addressed; through recognizing where the gaps were and addressing them, we could make a difference. The difference proved to be the way the industry approached its clients and, more importantly, its employees.
The barriers to entry were enormous. Multinational conglomerates were guarding the entranceways to success and we needed to manage the enormous risks involved in operating within our newly chosen ecosystem. We looked for security professionals from the security industry, but mostly, we built our team from the world of aviation while leveraging existing resources from our sister company, AAI.
Our newly minted team depended on the reputation and resources of our sister company for support. We hoped that an industry, which needed reinventing, would open its market to us. We bet on our belief that the establishment of a culture of integrity and respect with the willingness to be accountable and transparent would thrive with our potential client base.
Finally, after months of effort, our team’s hard work and dedication gave us the legs we needed to walk on our own. We did this by partnering with an incredible client base and a wonderful employee base, both of which we are still blessed to have.
Today we see and feel the unprecedented impact COVID-19 is having on our society.
Inside This Issue
HQ News
2
Employee Spotlight
11
Residential and Commercial News
25
Aviation News
28
Canine Corner/On the Lighter Side
35
ASP was engaged and supportive during the most critical of times throughout the past 20 years, helping our clients get through the most catastrophic of conditions, such as the tragedy of 9/11, SARS, the Air France Flight 358 end-of-runway crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport and the stock market crash of 2008. ASP is still here and standing strong for our clients and our employees.
We have supported and raised tens of thousands of dollars for charities and charity drives such as Toronto Pearson’s Runway Run, where right from inception of the run we shared the top donor spot with Air Canada. Other charities include the Hospital for Sick Children, Shelter Canada and ROCK (Reach Out Center for Kids), to name a few.
We won Best Large Service Business Awards with both the Etobicoke Chamber of Commerce in 2007 and again with Burlington Chamber of Commerce in 2019. Sharing the finalist podium with organizations such as Hamilton International Airport was a true honour.
We’ve done all this with the endless dedication of our front-line workers, people who we have grown to love and respect; the people whom I would personally like to thank for this success, for without which none of this would be possible. Thank you.
We’ve achieved all this with a sophisticated client base that have been supportive understanding partners, as our vision proves supportive to theirs. I personally, and on behalf of all of us would like to thank them for their patronage.
For making the lives of so many easier, for protecting us through the most critical times in our nation’s history and for demonstrating honesty respect and courage, I thank all our employees, from the bottom of my heart, thank you and congratulations on 20 years.
Today, we are more than 2000 strong across Canada, we are part of the ICTS Europe family, and, combined, we have a global reach that includes 22 countries and 17,000 security professionals.
I can safely say that 20 years later, we not only walk on our own… we walk together.
Dear ASP family,
We made a commitment to communicate and advise you of the most up to date information as it becomes available. We shared information with you about the Canadian Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB) the taxable benefit covers people who not working because of disruptions due to COVID-19. It is important to note that the CERB is approved for 4 weeks at a time which means that a recipient must reapply at the end of the period. More information about the CERB can be found by following the link provided above.
We’re proud of our employees and our communities who continue to support each other. Things can sometimes change quickly and we are committed to communicating with you as effectively as we can. Please reach out to your supervisors or the human resources team at asphr@security-asp.com and let us know how we can support you or if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
ASP Management Team
ASP Security Services President and CEO Addresses Organization
COVID-19 Update to our Employees
ASP Security Services Employee Appreciation Video
4 November 2019
ACTS, ICTS Europe’s subsidiary in the USA, is delighted to expand its provision of services to TAP Air Portugal.
ACTS has been providing security services to TAP Air Portugal since 2011, at Miami, Boston, New York’s Newark and JFK Airports. This autumn, the contract was extended to include three new locations: Chicago, Dulles and San Francisco airports.
ACTS’ experienced teams are responsible for various security services in compliance with the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) regulations, as well as any airline-specific requirements. The ACTS teams undergo specialist training and update their skills on a regular basis to ensure services maintain high standards.
With this new expansion, ACTS is continuing its growth as a provider of security and customer service solutions to the US aviation market.
By Angus Wilson, Director, Aviation Services
ASP is actively involved in all aspects of the operations at the sites in which we operate. We strongly believe that the readiness for emergency events comes through constant training.
This September, The Greater Sudbury Airport Authority held a full-scale emergency exercise that ASP participated in to ensure the readiness of our team, should it be required in an event such as this one.
ASP Security Supervisor Michelle Rieux controlling access to the crash site at Gate 29.
The exercise consisted of a simulated plane crash on the YSB grounds involving a passenger aircraft and a small private plane. It involved all relevant emergency responders from Greater Sudbury Police, EMS, Fire and all “hands on deck” for the YSB Emergency Teams.
The exercise was a great success and assisted us in further developing protocols and internal training that will improve the service and emergency readiness that is delivered at YSB and all other aerodromes in which we operate.
By Debbie Ciccotelli, Director, Strategic Initiative and Acting Manager, Human Resources
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – everywhere except at the airport. For most of us, the holiday season is a time of rejoicing and spending time with family and friends; however, it’s getting there that is often the most significant hassle.
To get to their holiday celebration, many people must endure the stress of holiday travel. With record high volumes expected at airports over the holiday travel season, combined with potentially bad weather, flight delays, long queues and wait times, as well as an increase in inexperienced travellers, our aviation employees must be prepared and committed to delivering exceptional customer service during this peak holiday season.
Today’s passengers have higher expectations for quality and service and Airport Authorities are committed to providing best-in-class passenger experiences. ASP employees (both Security and Customer Service) are Airport Ambassadors – we are in the business to serve and protect – it is what we do! Our staff will be dealing with higher volumes of passengers and greater pressure during the holiday season and our goal is to make each passenger’s journey more relaxed and less stressful by going the extra mile, wherever possible.
As Airport Ambassadors, we need to exhibit a positive, feel good energy that is consistent with the mood and theme of the holiday season and to understand and empathize with the stress and anxiety that passengers are experiencing.
We can do this by:
Greeting everyone with a warm welcome and a smile.
Maintaining a positive and cheerful attitude.
Listening and understanding passenger questions/concerns.
Being empathetic, patient and considerate.
Directing, assisting and supporting passengers in a professional, friendly and competent manner.
Not taking passenger frustration personally – look at it as an opportunity to turn their day around.
So, get into the holiday spirit, keep a smile on your face and possess a servant’s heart.
By Mary Christidis, Manager, Customer Service
We had our first monthly TEA and TALK and it was a great success!
Every month, we will invite a small group of OSR agents to hear feedback over a cup a tea. Feedback is a critical component to a successful operation and I appreciate all the open dialogue.
Our first group from left to right. Mark Acena, Marjan Askani, Ethilda Donkor, Abigail Danso, Vianna White, Mary Christidis, Gillian Byron.
By Mina Khani, OSR Training Coordinator
We had the pleasure of a GTAA Terminal Service Representative (TSR) joining us in our class from Nov 18 – Nov 26.
TSR Anna Scida joined us for this training to oversee the information passed on during the training and provide feedback to improve the quality of the training. The picture below was taken during job-shadowing in Terminal 1.
From Right to Left: Anna Scida, Saleena Difranco, Nilanthi Vasanthan, Jerly James, Kiara Wealthy, Karim Mamdouh (sitting), and Mina Khani.
By Josh Holowatenko, RES/CIC Recruiter
The RES/CIC Division ranges from a multitude of positions, from casual guards to supervisors, specialists, mobile, etc. We pride ourselves in not only finding the right fits for these specific roles externally, but also finding these hard-working individuals internally.
Read below for just some of the opportunities the RES/CIC division offers:
Union Station Specialist: A tactical guard who will be the front-line protection for the largest transit hub in Canada.
St. Lawrence Market Specialist: A tactical guard who will be patrolling the exterior and interior of St. Lawrence Market and ensuring the safety of all patrons, along with the protection of the building.
These above roles will work directly with the City of Toronto, which could open up doors elsewhere.
Mobile Patrol Supervisor: This role has opportunities working with the City of Toronto, TTC, and ASP management. The mobile guards are tactically trained and patrol specific designated areas to ensure safety.
TTC Gatehouse Guard: A guard will be checking all ID badges to grant access into important TTC buildings.
This is for everyone reading this article that has been looking for a promotion, step up, career path, or just a change. Please don’t hesitate to email me (indicated below). I am always more than willing to answer my emails, bring you in, and sit down with you to discuss the options we have. We are always looking to promote within and we have many sites that we could discuss.
