Shed security

[Katy Wolf]

Our NET is thinking about how to make a team cache accessible to everyone. We're considering buying a shed and putting in the backyard of a NET whose house has alley access. But we're concerned about security, since alleys are a way for people to break into garages or yards to steal things, and sneak out without being seen. Has anyone's NET started a team cache with some kind of public access? Any advice?

[Barry M. Newman]

This is a subject of some interest, as it is nearly a universal problem for any team that wishes to have a real cache for equipment. You cannot always count on the one or two people who have keys to show up in a disaster. We have been looking at using half or quarter length containers (they can be purchased inexpensively (relatively) and can be painted, or even customized if you like- this was a suggestion from another team leader, and a good one), and they are also fairly secure, and you can have the ability to put locks on them. (if yours is large enough, you can even use it as a shelter as well as your command center during a disaster deployment). The issue of unlocking them is the problem. Having a combination lock allows access to anyone with the combination, however keeping it secret while allowing access to enough people might allow (unauthorized) others to gain access as well. I have thought about having a keyed lock, and keeping the key elsewhere in a combination key safe that would be kept in a separate location, and changing the combination regularly perhaps with a code (month-date-team id, or something like that) in the hopes that if you change it often enough, it may stay secure. However if the method of changing codes becomes known by too many people, then again it becomes insecure. 

You may note that the issue of access and security is something that is still an issue with the BEECN program- access is needed, but keeping them safe a problem- a number have been broken into and robbed. So this is not a minor issue at all, and one that I am not sure will be easily solved. Keeping them inside a school, for example, only works if the school is open during a disaster, and the PPS plan for all schools is to close them until they can be cleared by engineers. Unless you intend on breaking into the school during a disaster. Just  saying. ;-) Not that I would EVER consider doing something like that…

If anyone has better ideas about where and how to secure caches, I would love to hear them. 

Thanks in advance, barry

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