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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.