BergerWorld: 2nd Quarter 2004

Fort Hamilton, called "the Army's Ambassador to New York," stands at the mouth of the Hudson River beside the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. A popular tourist attraction, the area has been the site of fortifications since the British claimed New York in the 1600s. The current fort was built in 1825, and many of its historic buildings are still standing.

The importance of Fort Hamilton as the only metropolitan New York military base has led to the need for increased security and the Army selected the Berger Group and Ammann & Whitney to upgrade security and improve anti-terrorism measures. The Team surveyed the area, conducted a thorough threat assessment and introduced improved safety measures. To prevent intruders from entering secure areas, the Team designed state-of-the-art security surveillance and new electronic entry systems, a card reader and electronic bolts which will alert military police if unauthorized personnel attempt to enter a building.

To reduce the threat of a biological or chemical attack, the Team moved the heating and air conditioning vents 10 feet above the ground and installed emergency shut off systems. Finally, the Team prepared the fort for the possibility of a bomb blast in the area. Often when bombs explode, the most damaging effects come from other objects launched into the air, becoming deadly missiles. The most effective means of preventing casualties is to establish a 30-foot clear zone. However, because of limited space, this was not feasible. Instead, the Team developed heavy-duty planters near buildings to act as barricades. These designs upgraded Fort Hamilton to the standards set by the Department of Homeland Security while remaining practical, cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing.

The Berger/Ammann & Whitney Team introduced similar security measures at the historic West Point Academy in northern New York. West Point Military Academy has been a training base for officers since 1802 and is considered the Army's most prestigious military school. The 16,000 acre campus is located along the Hudson River and perimeter security is a growing concern. The Team prepared a threat assessment report and a charette document which identified security concerns along the Hudson River, including areas where the terrain drops off into sharp cliffs, making fencing impossible. In response, the Team developed and installed vehicular barricades, motion sensors, closed circuit TV cameras and a monitoring system to detect unauthorized movement. In addition to these measures, the Team also evaluated the impact of the proposed security improvements on site features and aesthetics throughout the campus.