Massport Recognizes Coventry Resident For Outstanding Security Awareness

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) recently awarded Shannon Carvalho of Coventry, RI with its “Logan SAFE” award. The award honors employees whose actions demonstrate exemplary security awareness in their daily responsibilities at Boston Logan International Airport. 

Carvalho is a station training supervisor at Southwest Airlines and was recognized for detecting a potential security incident that she later learned was a security test. Carvalho has been with Southwest Airlines for 12 years and was recognized with ten other airport employees at a ceremony attended by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Lt. Governor Timothy Murray at Logan’s Terminal E.

“Protecting Logan Airport is a team effort that relies on a proactive workforce to act as the first line of defense against a wide spectrum of threats,’’ said Governor Patrick who attended the awards ceremony. “I am proud to honor Shannon and her colleagues for their outstanding service to the citizens and visitors of the Commonwealth.”

Massport launched the SAFE campaign in 2008 to give the nearly 18,000 members of the Logan Airport community an opportunity to honor their peers for demonstrating security awareness.

“Massport applies an effective team approach to ensuring the highest level of security and service at Logan Airport,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray. “We thank Shannon for her leadership and dedication in protecting customers who rely on Logan Airport throughout the year.”

"Commonwealth residents and visitors using Logan Airport expect a safe travel experience, and the SAFE award symbolizes Massport's comprehensive and longstanding commitment to the highest level of airport security for passengers and employees," said Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary & CEO Richard A. Davey. 

SAFE, Security Awareness For Everyone, is a Massport campaign to advance the security awareness of airport employees and by doing so enhance the safety of the traveling public. “Security is a 24/7/365 concern and we need all airport employees, like Shannon, to be involved in making Boston Logan as safe and secure as possible,’’ said Massport CEO and Executive Director Thomas Glynn. “This program rewards achievement and reinforces the security mission for everyone.’’ 

Winner’s stories and photos appear on posters distributed throughout the airport. Employees are nominated by their peers based on the following criteria:

• Reporting a potential or actual security incident
• Preventing or detecting a potential or actual security incident
• Performing an action resulting in improved response and resolution by public safety officials
• Demonstrating exceptional support of security initiatives
• Other actions demonstrating exemplary security awareness or constituting instructional value.