Homeland
Security
Threat Conditions
and Associated Protective Measures The world has changed
since September 11, 2001. We remain a Nation at risk to
terrorist attacks and will remain at risk for the foreseeable
future. At all Threat Conditions, we must remain vigilant,
prepared, and ready to deter terrorist attacks. The following
Threat Conditions each represent an increasing risk of terrorist
attacks. Beneath each Threat Condition are some suggested
Protective Measures, recognizing that the heads of Federal
departments and agencies are responsible for developing
and implementing appropriate agency-specific Protective
Measures:
Severe
Condition (Red) A Severe Condition reflects
a severe risk of terrorist attacks. Under most circumstances,
the Protective Measures for a Severe Condition are not intended
to be sustained for substantial periods of time. In addition
to the Protective Measures in the previous Threat Conditions,
Federal departments and agencies also should consider the
following general measures in addition to the agency-specific
Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:
- Increasing or redirecting personnel to address critical
emergency needs;
- Assigning emergency response personnel and pre-positioning
and mobilizing specially trained teams or resources;
- Monitoring, redirecting, or constraining transportation
systems; and
- Closing public and government facilities.
High
Condition (Orange) A High Condition is declared
when there is a high risk of terrorist attacks. In addition
to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions,
Federal departments and agencies should consider the following
general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective
Measures that they will develop and implement:
- Coordinating necessary security efforts with Federal,
State, and local law enforcement agencies or any National
Guard or other appropriate armed forces organizations;
- Taking additional precautions at public events and possibly
considering alternative venues or even cancellation;
- Preparing to execute contingency procedures, such as moving
to an alternate site or dispersing their workforce; and
- Restricting threatened facility access to essential personnel
only.
Elevated Condition
(Yellow) An Elevated Condition is declared when
there is a significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition
to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions,
Federal departments and agencies should consider the following
general measures in addition to the Protective Measures that
they will develop and implement:
- Increasing surveillance of critical locations;
- Coordinating emergency plans as appropriate with nearby
jurisdictions;
- Assessing whether the precise characteristics of the threat
require the further refinement of preplanned Protective
Measures; and
- Implementing, as appropriate, contingency and emergency
response plans.
Guarded
Condition (Blue) This condition is declared
when there is a general risk of terrorist attacks. In addition
to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Condition,
Federal departments and agencies should consider the following
general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective
Measures that they will develop and implement:
- Checking communications with designated emergency response
or command locations;
- Reviewing and updating emergency response procedures;
and
- Providing the public with any information that would strengthen
its ability to act appropriately.
Low
Condition (Green) This condition is declared
when there is a low risk of terrorist attacks. Federal departments
and agencies should consider the following general measures
in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures they
develop and implement:
- Refining and exercising as appropriate preplanned Protective
Measures;
- Ensuring personnel receive proper training on the Homeland
Security Advisory System and specific preplanned department
or agency Protective Measures; and
- Institutionalizing a process to assure that all facilities
and regulated sectors are regularly assessed for vulnerabilities
to terrorist attacks, and all reasonable measures are taken
to mitigate these vulnerabilities.
