Homeland Security
Homeland Security Advisory System
The Homeland Security Advisory System provides a comprehensive and effective means to disseminate information regarding the risk of terrorist attacks to the American people. The system utilizes five different colors to portray the current threat of attack.
RED LEVEL
*RED LEVEL SEVERE THREAT IMMINENT RISK
A terrorist attack has occurred or credible and corroborated intelligence indicates that one is imminent. Normally, this threat condition is declared for a specific location or critical facility.
Resident Actions
In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, residents are advised to:
- Report suspicious activities and call 9-1-1 for immediate response.
- Expect delays, searches of purses and bags, and restricted access to public buildings
- Expect traffic delays and restrictions.
- Residents should have an emergency "GO KIT" stocked and in place ready to go (medicines and medical supplies, glasses, contacts, important legal and financial papers) and emergency supplies kits (first aid kits, duct tape, blankets, non-perishable food, water) for shelter in place, if requested to do so.
- Take personal security precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime or terrorist attack.
- Avoid participating in crowded optional public gatherings, such as sporting events and concerts. However, do not avoid going to public emergency gathering locations such as hospitals and shelters, if directed or necessary. These locations will have developed and initiated a strong security plan to protect the residents.
- Do not travel into areas affected by the attack or that are likely to become an expected terrorist target.
- Keep emergency supplies accessible and automobile fuel tank full.
- Be prepared to either evacuate your home or shelter-in-place on order of local authorities.
- Be suspicious of persons taking photographs of critical facilities, asking detailed questions about physical security or dressed inappropriately for weather conditions. Report these incidents immediately to law enforcement.
- Closely monitor news reports and Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio/TV stations.
- Assist neighbors who may need help.
- Ensure that pets can be readied quickly for boarding or evacuation, if necessary.
- Avoid passing unsubstantiated information and rumors
- Prepare to activate your personal Family Emergency Plan.
Business Actions
In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, business owners and managers are advised to:
- Announce Threat Condition SEVERE and explain expected actions.
- Deploy security personnel based on threat assessments, if applicable.
- Close or restrict entry to the facility to emergency personnel only and restrict parking areas close to critical buildings.
- Maintain a skeleton crew of emergency employees.
- Deploy emergency response and security teams.
- Activate Operations Centers (if applicable)
- Maintain close contact with local law enforcement, emergency management officials and business consortium groups (Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade, etc.)
- Be prepared to implement mutual aid agreements with government with other similar/neighboring businesses/industries.
- Provide security in parking lots and company areas.
- Report suspicious activity immediately to local law enforcement.
- Restrict or suspend all deliveries and mail to facility.
- Emergency supplies or essential shipments should be sent to an off-site location for inspection.
- Activate your business emergency/contingency plan.
ORANGE LEVEL
* ORANGE LEVEL HIGH THREAT HIGH RISK
Credible intelligence indicates that there is a high risk of a local terrorist attack but a specific target has not been identified.
Resident Actions
In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, residents are advised to:
- Resume normal activities but expect some delays, baggage searches, and restrictions as a result of heightened security at public buildings and facilities.
- Continue to monitor world and local events as well as local government threat advisories.
- Report suspicious activities at or near critical facilities to local law enforcement agencies by calling 9-1-1.
- Inventory and organize emergency supply kits and test emergency plans with family members. Re-evaluate meeting location based on threat.
- Consider taking reasonable personal security precautions. Be alert to your surroundings, avoid placing yourself in a vulnerable situation, and monitor the activities of your children.
- Maintain close contact with your family and neighbors to ensure their safety and emotional welfare.
Business Actions
In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, business owners and managers are advised to:
- Announce Threat Condition HIGH to all employees and explain expected actions.
- Place emergency response teams on notice, if applicable.
- Activate the business emergency operations center if required. Establish ongoing liaison with local law enforcement and emergency management officials.
- Monitor world and local events. Pass on credible threat intelligence to key personnel.
- Ensure appropriate security measures are in place and functioning properly.
- Instruct employees to report suspicious activities, packages and people.
- Sear all personal bags, parcels, and require personnel to pass through magnetometer, if available.
- Inspect intrusion detection systems and lighting, security fencing, and locking systems.
- Inspect all deliveries and consider accepting shipments only at off-site locations.
- Remind employees to expect delays and baggage searches.
YELLOW LEVEL
*YELLOW LEVEL ELEVATED THREAT ELEVATED RISK
Elevated risk of terrorist attack but a specific region of the USA or target has not been identified.
Resident Actions
In addition to all previously mentioned precaution, residents are advised to:
- Continue normal activities, but report suspicious activities to the local law enforcement agencies.
- Network with your family, neighbors and community for mutual support during a disaster or terrorist attack.
- Learn what critical facilities are located in your community and report suspicious activities at or near these sites.
- Contact local officials to learn about specific hazards in your community.
- Develop a family preparedness kit and plan. Individual or family emergency preparedness should be maintained through training, good physical fitness and health, and storing food, water and emergency supplies.
- Monitor media reports concerning situation.
Business Actions
In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, business owners and managers are advised to:
- Announce Threat Condition ELEVATED to employees.
- Review vulnerability and threat assessments and revise as needed.
- Identify and monitor government information sharing sources for warnings and alerts
- Update and test call down list for emergency response teams and key employees.
- Review, coordinate, and update mutual aid agreements with other critical facilities and government agencies.
- Establish and monitor more active security measures.
- Review employee training on security precautions (bomb threat procedures, reporting suspicious packages, activities, and people). Conduct communications checks to ensure contacts can be maintained.
BLUE LEVEL
*BLUE LEVEL GUARDED THREAT GENERAL RISK
General risk with no credible threats to specific targets.
Resident Actions
In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, residents are advised to:
- Continue normal activities but be watchful for suspicious activities. Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
- Review family emergency plans.
- Avoid leaving unattended packages or brief cases in public areas.
- Increase family emergency preparedness by purchasing supplies, food and storing water.
- Increase individual or family emergency preparedness through training, maintaining good physical fitness and health, and storing food, water and emergency supplies.
- Monitor local and national news for terrorist alerts.
Business Actions
In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, business owners and managers are advised to:
- Ensure that key leaders are familiar with the emergency operations and business contingency plans.
- Review, update, and routinely exercise functional areas of plans
- Review and update the call down list for emergency response teams.
- Develop or review Mutual Aid agreements with other facilities and/or with local government for use during emergencies.
- Review physical security precautions to prevent theft, unauthorized entry, or destruction of property.
- Have you provided for:
- Employee picture ID badges?
- Background checks on all employees (as applicable)?
- Access control and locking of high security areas at all times?
- All security keys marked with "Do Not Duplicate"?
- Surveillance Cameras?
- Backup power?
- An Alarm system?
GREEN LEVEL
*GREEN LEVEL LOW THREAT LOW RISK
Low risk of terrorism. Routine security is implemented to preclude routine criminal threats.
Resident Actions
Residents are advised to:
- Continue to enjoy individual freedom. Participate freely in travel, work, and recreational activities.
- Be prepared for disasters and family emergencies.
- Develop a family emergency plan.
- Keep recommended immunizations up-to-date.
- Know how to turn off your power, gas and water service to your house.
- Know what hazardous materials are stored in your home and to properly dispose of unneeded chemicals.
- Support the efforts of your local emergency responders (fire fighters, law enforcement and emergency medical service).
- Know what natural hazards are prevalent in your area and what measures you can take to protect your family. Be familiar with local natural and technological (man made) hazards in your community.
- Volunteer to assist and support the community emergency response agencies.
- Become active in your local Neighborhood Crime Watch program.
- Take a first aid or Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class.
Business Actions
Business owners/managers are advised to:
- Develop emergency operations and business contingency plans.
- Encourage and assist employees to be prepared for personal, natural, technological, and homeland security emergencies.
- Conduct emergency preparedness training for employees and worker's families.
- Develop a communications plan for emergency response and key personnel.
- Conduct training for employees on physical security precautions.
- Badge for physical security measures.