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Homeland Security
As part of a series of initiatives to improve coordination and communication among all levels of government and the American public in the fight against terrorism, Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, created the Homeland Security Advisory System. The Homeland Security Advisory System will provide a comprehensive and effective means to broadcast information regarding the risk of terrorist attacks to Federal, State, and local authorities and to the American people.
Advisory Categories
Advisory Categories
- Severe Condition (Red)
- High Condition (Orange)
- Elevated Condition (Yellow)
- Guarded Condition (Blue)
- Low Condition (Green)
Severe Condition (Red)
Severe risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:
Severe risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:
- Assigning emergency response personnel and prepositioning specially trained teams
- Monitoring, redirecting or constraining transportation systems
- Closing public and government facilities
- Increasing or redirecting personnel to address critical emergency needs
High Condition (Orange)
High risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:
High risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:
- Coordinating necessary security efforts with armed forces or law enforcement agencies
- Taking additional precaution at public events
- Preparing to work at an alternate site or with a dispersed workforce; and restricting access to essential personnel only
Elevated Condition (Yellow)
Significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:
Significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:
- Increasing surveillance of critical locations
- Coordinating emergency plans with nearby jurisdictions
- Assessing further refinement of Protective Measures within the context of the current threat information
- Implementing, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans
Guarded Condition (Blue)
General risk of terrorist attack. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:
General risk of terrorist attack. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:
- Checking communications with designated emergency response or command locations
- Reviewing and updating emergency response procedures
- Providing the public with necessary information
Low Condition (Green)
Low risk of terrorist attacks. The following Protective Measures may be applied:
Low risk of terrorist attacks. The following Protective Measures may be applied:
- Refining and exercising preplanned Protective Measures
- Ensuring personnel receive training on HSAS, departmental, or agency-specific Protective Measures
- Regularly assessing facilities for vulnerabilities and taking measures to reduce them