Bioterrorism Information
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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
For more information
visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security