Where does the President go in times of crisis?
How does the White House kitchen prevent the the First Family from being poisoned?
Find out in 10 Incredible Security Features In The White House!
Number 10.
"Bullet Proof Windows"
On November 11, 2011 a man named Oscar Ortega-Hernandez, who was obsessed with the date 11/11/11 and
fixated on assassinating President Obama, took a modified AK-47 and fired upon the back
windows of The White House.
The shots were fired from nearby Constitution Ave, about 2,000 feet away, where Hernandez
had stationed his car.
Fortunately for the first family and the country, Hernandez failed to prepare for two things:
one, the President wasn't home and two, the windows are reinforced with a special type
of ballistic glass.
Although the exact specifications of this bullet-proof glass that was added in the 90s
aren't openly discussed for precautionary reasons, experts believe that it has to be
at least Level 8 glass-clad polycarbonate.
This type of ballistic glass can easily stop bullets like the kind fired by Hernandez and
even more intense blasts.
Every one of the 147 windows on the White House is equipped with this material and its
a good thing too, as even though President Obama wasn't there at the time, one of his
daughters and mother-in-law were.
One of the bullets that were recovered from the scene was wedged inside on of the back
windows while another one was found in the backyard.
Not only are these windows bullet-proof there it is believed that they are equipped will
ultrasonic devices that prevent would-be spies from listening in on top secret conversations
inside.
Number 9.
"Food Testing"
When one thinks of the term food tester it conjures up images of paranoid dictators like
Napoleon or Stalin but the American Commander-In-Chief uses one as well.
It may not often be talked about because they are usually a little more sly than the nervous
food tasters in movies.
When traveling or eating out the President's food taster is usually a member of the secret
service or a trusted White House chef.
The food tasting doesn't get done in dramatic fashion in front of everyone at the dining
table rather in the kitchen area where the food is being prepared.
The Secret Service also usually does a thorough search of this kitchen before the meal is
even prepared.
When dining at the White House all of the food that is prepared has already gone through
intensive testing at an offsite facility.
This facility is top secret as are the true sources of the ingredients used in the dishes.
Number 8.
"Restricted Air Space"
Early in the morning on September 12th, 1994 while President Clinton was in office a man
struggling with depression and other mental issues flew a small two-seater plane into
the South lawn with the wreckage coming to rest near the base of the White House two
stories underneath the presidential bedroom.
Even though the Clintons were staying across the street that night due to the ventilation
system was being repaired, the photographs of a plane wreck only feet away from the leader
of the free-world's abode were a scary sight.
There has long been restricted air space over the White House which stretches for 18,000
feet around it and is monitored by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Planes that fly into this secure space will be warned initially but if the plane does
not correct its flight path fighter jets will be sent out to escort it out of the area.
However, this small plane was able to reach the white house as it was flying just above
the treetops.
It was also said at the time that the Secret Services' plan to protect the president in
this event was more to get them to safety rather than try and stop the plane.
The technology that is used to protect this air space has progressed considerably since
this event due to necessity and technical capabilities.
Lazers and advanced radar systems are used to detect anything entering the area.
There are a couple unconfirmed yet fascinating methods the Secret Service or military might
be using to protect The White House from future plane crashes or aerial attacks.
There have been several reports that say nearby building have anti-aircraft weapons on top
of them that are equipped with Stinger missiles.
Even more futuristic is the reported Lazer Dazzler system that The White House might
have.
The Dazzler is a controversial device that shoots strobing beams of light at a pilot
or attackers, significantly disorienting them.
Number 7.
"Air Filtration" Chemical weapons are an even bigger threat
today then they have ever been.
From potential dangers like tiny capsules filled with devastating viruses to vicious
gases that are undetectable by even the most highly skilled noses the White House needs
to be prepared in the event that an undetected assassin unleashes an airborne toxin.
To defend against this, The White House has been renovated several times over with the
latest air filtration system.
In a similar way to which Las Vegas casinos are constantly pumping in fresh and special
scented oxygen in order to disperse smoke and fill gamblers with happy feelings, The
White House is always pumping in fresh oxygen and sucking out any foreign particles.
Number 6.
"Monitoring" Even in recent years with heightened security
at The White House there are dozens of people who have jumped the fence or attempted to
get inside by other means whether with the purpose of harming the first family or just
getting on TV but luckily most of these people don't make it very far as the monitoring system
around the President's lair is one of the most advanced in all of the world.
There are hundreds of cameras lining the property and hidden within it that can not only record
in high definition but using thermal imaging and night vision.
These cameras have been placed so strategically that their is not a single blind spot around
the White House.
If you could somehow go undetected by these cameras you will undoubtedly set off one of
the other two monitoring systems on the grounds.
The lawns surrounding the White and various courtyards are filled with alarms underneath
the ground that are sensitive to pressure and if that's not enough to stop First Fans
from taking midnight strolls up to the President's doorstep they will probably set off the infrared
sensors that monitor all ground activity.
Number 5.
"Secret Service"
Just as important as all of the technology used to protect the White House is the human
element.
In some cases the Secret Service is even more efficient than all the cameras and radar that
money can buy.
The Secret Service has gone from being a small force comprised of a handful of agents even
as recently as the 1960s to around 3,000 agents and 3,000 other employees in the tech, administrative
and uniformed officer division.
In addition to the agents you see in black suits around the president on any given day
there are hundreds of secret service members posed as everything from gardeners to tourists
disguised in plain clothes working inside the White House and around it.
There are also highly trained snipers positioned on the rooftops of surrounding buildings watching
like hawks around the clock.
These are some of the most highly skilled snipers in the world with the ability to hit
targets over 1,000 yards in distance.
Whenever the President or his family are home there is also a SWAT team standby that takes
to the roof whenever they are leaving or entering The White House, ready for anything.
All Secret Service members go through monthly reviews and train in Washington D.C.'s Maryland
suburbs, practicing for any type of attack that may come their way.
On The White House premises several different teams of Secret Service Agents divide up the
various patrol areas.
If you are thinking about going fence-jumping don't expect these Agents to wait until you
come near them, they are trained to immediately rush and take out anyone breaching the grounds
in their sights.
Over the years there have been some extremely brave members of the service who have lost
their lives or been seriously wounded by protecting the president, without concern for themselves.
Number 4.
"Operations Center" Underneath the White House's East Wing is
one of the most important rooms in the United States.
This is the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, and it is from here that the President
runs the country in times of crisis.
Known by the abbreviation PEOC, this room was built President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
in the 1940s and was specifically designed to be able to hold up against a nuclear attack.
Getting to this safe room is like the opening sequence to the television show 'Get Smart',
you have to go several floors below the ground in an elevator and then a series of large
metal vault doors with biometric eye scanners and a series of key card pads.
The inside looks like a giant boardroom with several phones and televisions so the president
can give orders and receive reconnaissance.
The room is frequently used on a daily basis for training exercises and various meetings.
The most recent time that it was used as an emergency headquarters was during September
11th when the National Security Council and President George W. Bush orchestrated the
aid-efforts and various strategic responses for the tragedy.
Number 3.
"Tunnels" The Operations Center isn't the only secret
that lies beneath the historic White House grounds, jutting out in all different directions
to locations throughout Washington D.C. there are a series of underground tunnels.
The first tunnels may have been built hundreds of years ago but the was modernized in the
1950s while the White House underwent a three year renovation process in which it was completely
reinforced with more modern building materials like steel and concrete.
The known tunnel that was built during this period was one that linked both Wings of the
White House, the operations center and other shelters.
While President Reagan was in office in the 1980s a tunnel that leads from a secret door
out of the Oval Office and into the safety of the basement below.
There are several rumored tunnels whose existence has yet to be confirmed one that connects
to the Vice President's house, the Pentagon, Blair House across the street and one that
leads from the White House's East Wing into the Treasury Building's basement.
There may even be a secret tunnel that lead from the White House to the common presidential
retreat Camp David.
Number 2.
"Barriers" Despite years and years of security tech upgrades
one of the strongest intruder or would-be assassin deterrent features of the White House
is also one of the simplest--It's iconic iron fence.
The original fence that was built by Thomas Jefferson was actually made of wood and only
designed to keep farm animals from wandering into the White House gardens but as Washington
DC grew and threats evolved so too did the fence.
The wooden fence was slowly replaced in the 1800s with an iron fence that was just over
six and a half feet tall but this was initially only for show.
After several incidents of unwanted guests traipsing up to the property, President Grover
Cleveland decided to close off the open spaces in the fence.
During World War II the driveways were closed off and the White House basically functioned
as a military compound.
The fence was strengthened to defend against assault vehicles and guards were stationed
at even points throughout its perimeter.
After the nation lost President Kennedy in the 1960s, there was a heightened fear of
future attacks and the fence was increased in height by just over half a foot bringing
its new height to 7 feet and 6 inches.
As threats became more advanced and weapons improved the White House felt pressured to
become even more of a castle adding concrete barriers in front of the fence and closed
off Pennsylvania Avenue traffic completely to prevent attacks from IEDs and more sophisticated
modern tactics.
Number 1.
"Drone Defense" From one of the oldest features to one of
the newest.
In order to stop the threat of weaponized consumer drones, the White House has incorporated
some unique technology that can down them in an instant.
In what is called 'geofencing' the Federal Aviation Administration requires that drone
manufacturers have a program built into them that requires them to enforce the Administration's
no-fly zone boundaries.
This program effectively shuts down a drone if tries to fly into the established 'geofence'
which covers a 35 mile radius, encircling the White House.
Even if you were to accidentally fly a drone into the air-space the security doesn't stop
where your drone does.
As an owner of any device that is snatched by the geofence will be subject to investigation
and prosecution.
There are many other government buildings that have strict no-fly zones overhead and
many companies are beginning to use them in order prevent aerial espionage.
So if you are an avid toy aviator be careful where you drive your drone.
If you were President and could upgrade the White House in any way you desired, what would
you add?