Homeland Security Advisory System

The Homeland Security Advisory System shall be binding on the executive branch and suggested, although voluntary, to other levels of government and the private sector. There are five Threat Conditions, each identified by a description and corresponding color.

Select a level to learn more about it.

• Announce Threat Condition ELEVATED to employees.
• Review vulnerability and threat assessments and revise as needed.
• Identify and monitor governmental information sharing sources for warnings and alerts.
• Update and test call down list for emergency response teams and key employees.
• Review and coordinate and update mutual aid agreements with other critical facilities and government agencies.
• Establish and monitor active and passive security measures.
• Review employee training on security precautions (bomb threat procedures, reporting suspicious packages, activities and people).
• Conduct communications checks to ensure radio contact can be established.

• Announce Threat Condition ELEVATED to employees and to the public.
• Review physical security plans for critical facilities.
• Assess potential terrorist targets and develop plans to counteract an attack.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments of each critical facility and government building. Estimate the consequence of loss and assign a priority for their protection.
• Ensure all buildings are secured to prevent theft or tampering.
• Conduct physical inspection of buildings for suspicious unattended packages.
• Develop a cadre of trained volunteers.
• Closely monitor current news events and state and federal terrorist advisories.
• Keep the public informed on current threat conditions and advisories.
• Coordinate with adjacent municipalities for mutual aid support in the event of a disaster or terrorist threat.
• Conduct tabletop and functional exercises to ensure that response plans are understood and current.
• Review existing physical security measures employed and install intrusion detection and passive systems as funding permits.
• Conduct weekly radio communication checks.

• Continue normal activities, but report suspicious activities to the local law enforcement agencies.
• Take a first aid or CERT class.
• Become active in your local Neighborhood Crime Watch program.
• Network with your family, neighbors and community for mutual support during a disaster or terrorist attack.
• Learn what critical facilities are located in your community and report suspicious activities at or near these sites.
• Attend your local emergency planning committee (LEPC) meeting to learn more about local hazards. (Call the city/county emergency manager to learn dates and locations of the meetings.)
• Increase individual or family emergency preparedness through training, maintaining good physical fitness and health, and storing food, water and emergency supplies.