Alford with more than 60 pieces of luggage for TSA
When the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) needed luggage to train its bomb-sniffing dogs, TSA turned to Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida (http://www.goodwillswfl.org)
“It’ll definitely go to good use,” says Inspector Jason Nimark, TSA Lead Exposives Detection Canine Handler. “The donation of this luggage will enhance the training of our dogs and the protection of the public.”
Nimark, along with IISAAC, an explosives detection canine, picked up the luggage and clothing at Goodwill’s North Fort Myers Headquarters on Wednesday, June 14, 2010.
“These suitcases and clothes were soiled, torn and damaged, so we couldn’t re-sell them,” says Laura Alford, Goodwill’s Director of Donor Development. “This was a great way to repurpose these items and keep them out of the landfills. And if Goodwill can contribute to our national security, that’s even better.”
The baggage and clothing will be used for testing and training at Miami International Airport and at an off-site training center.
“When we train, we use up to 50 pounds of clothing in the bags to simulate real baggage,” Nimark explains. “We’
TSA also assists other federal, state, and municipal agencies in the training of their canine officers and handlers.
Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc.(http://www.goodwillswfl.org) operates 24 Retail & Donation Centers in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties. Revenue generated from the resale of donated goods supports programs and services for people with disabilities and other disadvantages.
For more information about Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, visit http://www.goodwillswfl.org.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
