Public User's Meeting

Public Records Division/Public Information Services Division
Public User's Meeting
January 21, 2009 2:00 p.m.
Remsen Building Conference Center

The Public User's Meeting was held at 2:00 p.m. in the 1st floor conference room 1D04/1D14 of the Remsen Building at 400 Dulany Street on the USPTO campus in Alexandria, Virginia. Diane Lewis, Manager Public Search Facility, chaired the meeting. There was one (1) member of the public in attendance.

Announcements

No announcements at this time.

Public Search Facility Emergency Plan

A representative from USPTO Corporate Services/Security Services attended the meeting to discuss emergency procedures and actions to be taken when emergency events occur.

There are 3 basic types of emergency actions for each building:

Evacuation - 2 types of actions.

Fire alarm - everyone must leave the building; fire department responds to the alarm

Non-fire alarm - different actions or instructions are given via the PA system

Shelter-in-place - remain at your location; move away from windows, door or other open spaces.

Hazardous weather conditions

Hazardous materials spill

(Public Search Facility public workstations will not receive an electronic emergency message. Security personnel located in the Public Search Facility will notify the public located within the Search Facility about the hazardous situation and will provide appropriate safety guidance.)

Lock-down - a dangerous incident/situation on the USPTO campus, i.e. gunman, terrorist threat, etc. Security will be giving instructions on proper actions to follow.

There will be a shelter-in-place drill next week and another drill is to be conducted in March, the time will be posted later. Individuals will be given the option of not participating in the drills.

Security Office Expansion

Public Search Facility space that originally contained lockers will be reconfigured to accommodate an expanded USPTO Security Services Office. Construction will extend to half the wall space near the Public Search Facility Cashier office door location. An exact construction start date will be known after approval for the building modification has been granted by the City of Alexandria. USPTO Security Services requires additional office space in order to issue new security badges to all Agency personnel in compliance with a security directive from the US Department of Homeland Security. Public User building access badges will not change. Public users will continue to be asked to update their existing access badge each year, as is current procedure.

Public Search Facility Updates

UPWS Color network printers and Black/White network printer are being relocated to search facility assistance desks. Unused group printing option will no longer be available. UPWS print destinations have not changed.

Public Records Division

Question: When is the move from South Tower to new space? The earliest possible date may be in April for the move. Building permits from Arlington County have taken longer than anticipated.

The meeting adjourned at 2:25 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009 at 2:00 pm in the Remsen Conference Center, 1D04/1D14, 400 Dulany St.