The links below each provide Recommended Protective Measures for State Agencies & Local Government, Individuals, and Businesses:
LOW CONDITION (GREEN)
State Agencies & Local Government
- Refine and exercise as appropriate preplanned Protective Measures.
- Ensure personnel receive proper training on the Homeland Security Advisory System and specific preplanned department/agency Protective Measures.
- Institutionalize a process to assure that facilities and regulated sectors are regularly assessed for vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks.
- Take all reasonable measures to mitigate those vulnerabilities.
Individuals
- Obtain copy of Terrorism: Preparing for the Unexpected brochure from The American Red Cross chapter. For more information: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/unexpected.html
- Develop a personal disaster plan and disaster supplies kit using Red Cross brochures: Your Family Disaster Plan (http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/Fdp.pdf) & Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit (http://ww.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/supplies.html).
- Examine volunteer opportunities in your community; choose an agency to volunteer with and receive initial training.
- Use Red Cross Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry to develop written emergency plans to address all hazards that includes plans for maintaining the safety of students, staff, and faculty.http://www.fema.gov/library//bizindex.shtm
- Develop an emergency communication plan to notify parents in an emergency. Disseminate relevant information to families of children, staff, and faculty.
- Initiate offering “Master's of Disasters” for grades K-8 on emergency preparedness for natural disasters. For more information: http://www.redcross.org/disaster/masters/intro.html
- U.S. Department of Education Emergency Planning website:http://www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/
Businesses
- Use Red Cross Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry to develop written emergency plans to address all hazards. Include an emergency communication plan to notify employees and designate an off-site “report to” location in case of evacuation.http://www.fema.gov/library/bizindex.shtm
- Develop continuity of operations plan to include designation of an alternate work facility/location for business.
- Obtain copies of Terrorism: Preparing for the Unexpected & Preparing Your Business for the Unthinkable for employees. For more information: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/unexpected.html http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/busi_industry.html
GUARDED CONDITION (BLUE)
State Agencies & Local Government
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Check communications with designated emergency response or command locations.
- Review and update emergency response procedures.
- Provide the public with any information that would strengthen its ability to act appropriately.
Individuals
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities.
- Review stored disaster supplies and replace items that are outdated.
- Develop an emergency communication plan with your family, neighbors, friends, etc.
- Provide volunteer services and take advantage of additional volunteer training opportunities
Schools
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities.
- Conduct safety training and emergency drills following the school's written emergency plan for all grades.
- Ensure the emergency communication plan is updated and needed equipment is purchased.
- Continue offering lessons from Masters of Disaster “Facing Fear: Helping Young People Deal with Terrorism and Tragic Events”, a curriculum regarding emergency preparedness for natural disasters found here:http://www.redcross.org/disaster/masters/facingfear
- U.S. Department of Education Emergency Planning website:http://www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/
Businesses
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities.
- Dialogue with community leaders and organizations, emergency management, & government agencies about disaster preparedness.
- Ensure emergency communication plan is updated to include purchase of needed equipment.
- Ask The American Red Cross to provide a “Preparing for the Unexpected” presentation at your workplace.
For more information: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/unexpected.html
ELEVATED CONDITION (YELLOW)
State Agencies & Local Government
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Increase surveillance of critical locations.
- Coordinate emergency plans with nearby jurisdictions.
- Assess whether the precise characteristics of the threat require the further refinement of preplanned Protective Measures.
- Implement, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans.
Individuals
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities.
- Ensure disaster supplies kit is stocked and ready.
- Check telephone numbers & e-mail addresses in your communication plan and update as necessary.
- Develop alternate routes to/from work/school and practice them.
- Provide volunteer services
Schools
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities.
- Ensure all emergency supplies are adequate, approved, stocked, and ready.
- Obtain copies of “Terrorism: Preparing for the Unexpected” brochure from the American Red Cross and send it home with students in grades K-12, staff, and faculty. For more information: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/unexpected.html
- U.S. Department of Education Emergency Planning website:http://www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/
Businesses
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities.
- Contact private security firm for security risk assessment and to determine availability of support and/or reinforcement.
- Contact voluntary organizations you support to determine how you can provide assistance in case of an emergency.
HIGH CONDITION (ORANGE)
State Agencies & Local Government
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Coordinate necessary security efforts with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies including any National Guard or other appropriate armed forces organizations.
- Take additional precautions at the public events and consider alternative venues or cancellation.
- Restrict threatened facility access to essential personnel only.
Individuals
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities.
- Review your personal disaster plan.
- Exercise caution when traveling.
- Have shelter in place, materials on hand, and review procedure in “Terrorism: Preparing for the Unexpected” brochure. For more information: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/unexpected.html
- If a need is announced, donate blood at designated blood collection center.
- Prior to volunteering, contact agency to determine their needs.
Schools
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities.
- Review emergency plans.
- Offer Masters of Disaster “Facing Fear: Helping Young People Deal with Terrorism and Tragic Events” lessons in grades K-12. For more information: http://www.redcross.org/disaster/masters/facingfear
- Prepare to handle inquiries from anxious parents and media.
- Discuss children's fears concerning possible terrorist attacks.
- U.S. Department of Education Emergency Planning website:http://www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/
Businesses
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities.
- Review emergency plans to include continuity of operations and media materials on hand.
- Determine need to restrict access to business or provide private security firm support and/or reinforcement.
- Contact vendors/suppliers to confirm their emergency response plan procedures.
- If a need is announced, contact nearest blood collection agency and offer to organize a blood drive.
SEVERE CONDITION (RED)
State Agencies & Local Government
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Increase or redirect personnel to address critical emergency needs.
- Assign emergency response personnel and pre-position and mobilize specially trained teams/resources.
- Monitor, redirect, or constrain transportation systems.
- Close public and government facilities.
Individuals
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Listen to radio/TV for current information and/or instructions.
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to the proper authorities immediately.
- Contact businesses to determine status of work day.
- Adhere to any travel restrictions announced by local governmental authorities.
- Be prepared to shelter or evacuate if instructed to do so by local government authorities.
Schools
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Listen to radio/TV for current information and/or instructions.
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities immediately.
- Close school if recommended to do so by appropriate authorities.
- 100% identification check (i.e. -driver's license retained at front office) and provide an escort for anyone entering school other than students, staff, and faculty.
- Continue offering lessons from Masters of Disaster. For more information: http://www.redcross.org/disaster/masters/facingfear
- Ensure mental health counselors available for students, staff, and faculty.
- U.S. Department of Education Emergency Planning website:http://www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/
Businesses
In addition to the Protective Measures taken at the previous Threat Condition,
- Listen to radio/TV for current information and/or instructions.
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities immediately.
- Work with local community leaders & organizations, emergency management, government agencies, & utilities to meet immediate needs of the community.
- Determine need to close business based on circumstances and in accordance with written emergency plan.
- Be prepared to work with a dispersed/smaller work force.
- Ensure the availability of mental health counselors for employees.