Homeland Security

Threat Conditions

Threat Condition	Critical Facilities Protective Action	Local Government Actions	Anticipated Public Response
Definition: 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.
S E V E R E	Continue all precautions from lower Threat Conditions. Announce Threat Condition SEVERE and explain expected actions. Deploy security personnel based on threat assessments. Close or restrict entry to the facility to emergency personnel only and restrict parking areas close to critical buildings. Maintain a skeleton crew of essential employees. Deploy emergency response and security teams. Activate Operations Center and contact county EOC. Maintain close contact with local law enforcement. Be prepared to implement mutual aid agreements with government and with other critical facilities. Provide security in parking lots and company areas. Report suspicious activity immediately to local law enforcement. Restrict or suspend all deliveries and mail to the facility. Emergency supplies or essential shipments should be sent to and off-site location for inspection.	Continue all precautions from lower Threat Conditions. Announce Threat Condition SEVERE to employees and to the public and explain anticipated actions that should be taken. Deny unauthorized access to critical facilities and infrastructure. Continue 100% inspections of personnel, vehicles and packages. Visually inspect the interior and undercarriage of vehicles entering parking lots and terraces. Deploy equipment assets and ensure physical security measures be afforded to them at critical sites. Assemble trained volunteers to include: CERT, RACES and the American Red Cross. Implement Mutual Aid Agreements as required. Continue to assess the vulnerability of key assets and facilities. Take appropriate action to protect them by deploying armed security forces to these sites. Cancel or delay unnecessary employee travel and leave. Activate the Emergency Operations Center. Control release of information to the public and news media. Send a Public Information Officer to the state Joint Public Information Center (JIC). Provide security for personnel dispatched to repair or restore damaged facilities and systems.	In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, citizens 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. Take personal security precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime or terrorist attack. Avoid crowded public areas and gatherings. Do not travel into areas affected by the attack or in an expected terrorist target. Keep emergency supplies accessible and automobile fuel tank full. Be prepared to 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 (suicide bomber). 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. Avoid passing unsubstantiated information and rumors.

 

 

Threat Condition	Critical Facilities Protective Action	Local Government Actions	Anticipated Public Response
Definition: Credible intelligence indicates that there is a high risk of a local terrorist attack but a specific target has not been identified.
H I G H	Continue all precautions from lower Threat Conditions. Announce Threat Condition HIGH to all employees and explain expected actions. Place emergency response teams on notice. Activate the operations center if required. 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. Search all personal bags, parcels and require personnel to pass through magnetometer, if available. Restrict vehicle parking close to buildings. 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.	Continue all precautions from lower Threat Conditions. Announce Threat Condition HIGH to employees and public and explain expected actions to be taken. Restrict or control access to government buildings, critical facilities and infrastructure. Erect outside barricades, security checks to deny access to underground parking areas, loading docks and building entrance. Require identification, sign-in and escorts as required. Restrict parking areas located close to buildings or critical facilities. Remove trash containers, dumpsters and mailboxes located near government buildings and facilities. Closely monitor available security and intelligence data from state and local law enforcement agencies. Instruct employees to be especially watchful for suspicious or unattended packages and articles received through the mail service. Inspection buildings and parking areas for suspicious packages. Implement rumor control to avoid public panic. Employ armed security at airports, dams, public utilities and critical facilities. Based on threat assessment, define rules of engagement and authorize use of deadly force. Test communication plans. Secure and regularly inspect all buildings, vehicles, and parking and storage areas for intrusion. Conduct 100% verification of deliveries and restrict shipments.	In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, citizens 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. Avoid leaving unattended packages or brief cases in public areas. Inventory and organize emergency supply kits and discuss emergency plans with family members. Reevaluate 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.

 

 

Threat Condition		Critical Facilities Protective Action		Local Government Actions		Anticipated Public Response
Definition: Elevated risk of terrorist attack but a specific region of the USA or target has not been identified.
E L E V A T E D		Continue all precautions from lower Threat Conditions. Announce Threat Condition ELEVATED to employees. Review vulnerability and threat assessments and revise as needed. Identify and monitor governmental information sharing sources for warnings and alerts. Update and test call down list for emergency response teams and key employees. Review and coordinate and update mutual aid agreements with other critical facilities and government agencies. Establish and monitor active and passive security measures. Review employee training on security precautions (bomb threat procedures, reporting suspicious packages, activities and people). Conduct communications checks to ensure radio contact can be established.		Continue all precautions from lower Threat Conditions. Announce Threat Condition ELEVATED to employees and to the public. Review physical security plans for critical facilities. Assess potential terrorist targets and develop plans to counteract an attack. Conduct vulnerability assessments of each critical facility and government building. Estimate the consequence of loss and assign a priority for their protection. Ensure all buildings are secured to prevent theft or tampering. Conduct physical inspection of buildings for suspicious unattended packages. Develop a cadre of trained volunteers. Closely monitor current news events and state and federal terrorist advisories. Keep the public informed on current threat conditions and advisories. Coordinate with adjacent municipalities for mutual aid support in the event of a disaster or terrorist threat. Conduct tabletop and functional exercises to ensure that response plans are understood and current. Review existing physical security measures employed and install intrusion detection and passive systems as funding permits. Conduct weekly radio communication checks.	In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, citizens are advised to: Continue normal activities, but report suspicious activities to the local law enforcement agencies. Take a first aid or CERT class Become active in your local Neighborhood Crime Watch program. 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. Attend your local emergency planning committee (LEPC) meeting to learn more about local hazards. (Call the city/county emergency manager to learn dates and locations of the meetings.) Increase individual or family emergency preparedness through training, maintaining good physical fitness and health, and storing food, water and emergency supplies.

 

 

Threat Condition	Critical Facilities Protective Action	Local Government Actions	Anticipated Public Response
Definition: General risk with no credible threats to specific targets.
G U A R D E D	Continue all precautions from lower Threat Conditions. Ensure that key leaders are familiar with the emergency response and business resumption plans. Review, update and routinely exercise for 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? 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?	Continue all precautions from lower Threat Conditions. Estimate the threat vulnerability of each critical facility and the countermeasures required to protect them. Ensure that each department is familiar with their assigned responsibilities during a disaster as shown in the plan and are prepared to respond. Review communications plans and ensure the call-down procedures are current and accurate. Conduct emergency management training and exercise emergency response plans. Ensure all emergency management and response functions are adequately staffed. Recruit and train volunteers to augment full time staff. Actively support the Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Amateur Radio Emergency Service programs. Remind citizen and employees to be alert for suspicious packages, activities, and vehicles and to report these occurrences to the proper authority. Secure buildings, unused rooms, storage areas, equipment and vehicles to prevent theft, tampering or destruction. Evaluate information available on public websites that could compromise security. Encourage all citizens and employees to have necessary immunizations.	In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, citizens are advised to: Continue normal activities but be watchful for suspicious activities. Report criminal activity to local law enforcement. Review family emergency plans. Increase family emergency preparedness by purchasing supplies, food and storing water. Be familiar with local natural and technological (man made) hazards in your community. 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. Update immunizations. Volunteer to assist and support the community emergency response agencies.

 

 

Threat Condition	Critical Facilities Protective Action	Local Government Actions	Anticipated Public Response
Definition: Low risk of terrorism. Routine security is implemented to preclude routine criminal threats.
L O W	Develop emergency response and business resumption plans. Encourage and assist employees to be prepared for personal, natural and technological emergencies. Develop a communications plan for emergency response and key personnel Conduct training for employees on physical security precautions. Budget for physical security measures.	Identify critical facilities that may need protection. Review Emergency Response Plans. Conduct training, seminars, workshops and exercises using the emergency response plans. Conduct emergency preparedness training for citizens and employees. Encourage response agencies (fire fighters, law enforcement, EMS, public works and elected officials) to take emergency management and American Red Cross first aid and CPR training. Provide emergency preparedness information to employees via paycheck stubs tips, newsletters, articles and posters. Conduct routine inventories of emergency supplies and medical aid kits. Budget for physical security measures. Encourage programs for employee immunization and preventive health care.	Citizens are advised to: Continue to enjoy individual freedom. Participate freely in travel, work and recreational activities. Be prepared for disasters and family emergencies. (See DESHS and American Red Cross brochures.) Develop a family emergency plan. (See FEMA and American Red Cross brochures.) Know how to turn off your power, gas and water service to your house. Know what hazardous materials are stored in your home and how 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.

 

 

Return to…

F.D. Terrorism Information Page

 

F.D. Homepage