Homeland Security Advisory System FAQs
LEVEL YELLOW indicates the elevated risk of terrorist attacks
Click on any of the Threat Levels above to learn more about them.
1. What is the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS)?
The Homeland Security Advisory System will provide a comprehensive and effective means to disseminate information regarding the risk of terrorist attacks to Federal, State, and local authorities and to the American people.
2. What is a Threat Condition and how is it determined?
The 5 graduated Threat Conditions established by the HSAS are designed to provide a consistent frame of reference for information concerning terrorist threats. A higher Threat Condition means that there is a greater risk of terrorist attack, with risk including both probability and gravity. Heightened Threat Conditions can be declared for the entire nation. However, a heightened condition can also be declared for a limited geographic area or sector. The duration of a Threat Condition depends on the individual circumstances of each threat, and will be reviewed at regular intervals to determine whether adjustments are necessary.
3. What is the role of the Department of Homeland Security?
Secretary Ridge will continue to evaluate the integrated threat assessments and reports from law enforcement and the intelligence community. He will regularly review these reports with Cabinet Secretaries and Advisors to the President. Heads of Federal departments and agencies will submit their annual reports on Protective Measures to the President through Secretary Ridge.
4. What does this system mean for Federal agencies?
There are many federal alert systems in our country – each tailored and unique to different sectors of our society: transportation, defense, agriculture and weather, for example. Each fills a vital need. The new national Homeland Security System provides context for these systems. Federal agencies are developing plans to conform their Protective Measures to the national Homeland Security System.
5. Why is there an exemption for the State Department and military?
This system only focuses on terrorist threats to the Homeland. The Secretary of State retains the authority to establish threat levels for foreign embassies and posts, while the Secretary of Defense sets threat levels for defense forces. Military facilities in the United States are excluded from conforming to this system because they must operate under one unified threat system that applies to forces at home and abroad.
6. Will this system give local police agencies a better idea of what to do in response to an alert?
Yes. This advisory system provides context and common vocabulary for disseminating information concerning the risk of terrorist attacks. It assures greater coherence and consistency across regions and sectors in the assignment of Threat Conditions. This system will greatly improve the quality and quantity of information provided to State and local officials and law enforcement. To the extent possible, the Attorney General will provide timely and relevant information regarding the threat and other useful information.
7. What does this new system mean for States and cities?
State and local governments were among the first to urge us to develop a national framework for threat alerts. We cannot mandate that Governors and Mayors adopt the Homeland Security Advisory System, but we are confident that they share our desire for a common language that will allow us to do a better job of protecting the American people.
8. How would this system have applied to September 11 and/or the previous three general alerts? What tier of alert were they?
Any assignment of a threat level done retrospectively would be based largely on speculation. We did not have the new system in place at that time. Certainly on September 11, there were conditions present that would indicate the nation was at red. During the period of the three general alerts, elements of the threat analysis would have probably pointed us toward an elevated Threat Condition.
9. Who determines the need to adjust the Threat Condition level?
Decision-making has to be centralized in one individual. The Attorney General assigns Threat Conditions after consultation with Governor Ridge. If time allows, Cabinet Members, government officials at the State and local levels, the private sector, and the Homeland Security Council will have input in these decisions when appropriate.
10. Will all alerts or changes in alert status be made public?
National Threat Conditions generally will be publicly announced. Public announcements can have the effect of not only informing Americans, but of deterring terrorists. The absence of a terrorist attack could mean that an attack was deterred or averted.
11. When would you not announce an alert or change in alert state?
The safety of the American people is the most important consideration we have in this system. For example, if the Attorney General determines that notifying law enforcement agencies will help us catch a terrorist, and we don’t want to let the terrorist know we are coming, then we may hold off on letting the public know. However, the most important consideration will always be public safety.
12. Are you afraid the public will tune out these alerts if there are too many?
The Advisory System will ensure that the public remains informed, and they are empowered to make the decisions they feel are appropriate for their safety. By creating a common vocabulary and a graduated series of Threat Conditions, we seek to strengthen decision-making at all levels, not only for the government and industry, but for every citizen.
13. How does this system relate to bioterrorism?
One of the strengths of this system is its flexibility. If information is obtained that a particular sector is threatened or public health is at risk, we will be able to apply an appropriate Threat Condition to that segment of industry or geographic region. In the case of a bioterrorist attack, medical professionals at the local level may be the first to pass information up the ladder to the State and Federal government. The strengthened communications systems and processes developed under this system should speed information both ways through the system.
14. Where should comments about, and views of the HSAS be forwarded ?
Comments may be submitted electronically to: HSAScomments@fbi.gov. Written comments may be sent to: Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Advisory System, Room 7222, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington D.C. 20535.
Low Condition (Green).
A LOW (Green) Threat Condition is declared by the Office of Homeland Security when it has been determined that there is a low risk of terrorist attacks. The following protective actions are recommended when the nation and/or state is placed at a LOW (Green) Threat Condition:
Citizens:
- Participate freely in travel, work and recreational activities.
- Be prepared for disasters and family emergencies
- Develop a family emergency plan.
- Know how to turn off your power, gas and water service to your house.
- Know what hazardous materials are stored in your home and how to properly dispose of unneeded chemicals.
- Support the efforts of your local emergency responders (fire fighters, law enforcement and emergency medical service).
- Know what natural hazards are prevalent in your area and what measures you can take to protect your family.
Businesses/Schools/Clubs/Places of Worship/Public Facilities:?
- Routine security procedures in place.
- Develop written emergency plan to address terrorism related issues.
- Develop communications plan to notify employees at site, at satellite locations, or away from office.
- Develop continuity of operations plan to include designating alternate work locations.
- Develop plan for off site storage of electronic files.
State/Local Government:?
- Announce Threat Level GREEN.
- Identify critical facilities that may need protection.
- Review Emergency Response Plans.
- Conduct training, seminars, workshops and exercises using the emergency response plans.
- Encourage response agencies (fire fighters, law enforcement, EMS, public health, public works and elected officials) to take emergency management courses.
- Conduct emergency preparedness training for citizens and employees.
- Provide emergency preparedness information to employees via paycheck stubs tips, newsletters,
- articles and posters.
- Conduct routine inventories of emergency supplies and medical aid kits.
- Budget for physical security measures.
- Encourage programs for employee immunization and preventive health care
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Guarded Condition (Blue).
This GUARDED (Blue) Threat Condition is declared by the Office of Homeland Security when it has been determined that there is a guarded risk of terrorist attacks. The following protective actions are recommended when the nation and/or state is placed at a
GUARDED (Blue) Threat Condition:
Citizens:
- Continue normal activities but be watchful for suspicious activities. Report criminal or suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Office at 390-5555, or appropriate police department.
- Review family emergency plans.
- local law enforcement.
- Ensure that your 72-hour kit is up to date.
- Be familiar with local natural and technological (manmade) hazards in your community.
- Monitor local and national news for terrorist alerts.
- Update immunizations.
- Volunteer to assist and support the community emergency response agencies.
Businesses/Schools/Clubs/Places of Worship/Public Facilities:?
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report to proper authorities.
- Discuss with community leaders, emergency management, government agencies, community organizations and utilities about disaster preparedness.
- Ensure communications plan is updated for contacting employees.
- Ensure that each department is familiar with their assigned responsibilities during a disaster and are prepared to respond.
State and Local Government:
- Announce Threat Level BLUE.
- Estimate the threat vulnerability of each critical facility and the countermeasures required to
- protect them.
- Review communications plans and ensure the calldown procedures are current and accurate.
- Conduct emergency management training and exercise emergency response plans.
- Ensure all emergency management and response functions are adequately staffed. Recruit and train volunteers to augment full time staff.
- Actively support the Neighborhood Watch, CERT, Radio Amateur Emergency Service (RACES), or Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) programs.
- Remind citizen and employees to be alert for suspicious packages, activities, and vehicles and to report these occurrences to the proper authority.
- Secure buildings, unused rooms, storage areas, equipment and vehicles to prevent theft, tampering or destruction.
- Evaluate information available on public websites that could compromise security.
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Elevated Condition (Yellow).
An ELEVATED (Yellow) Threat Condition is declared by the Office of Homeland Security when it has been determined that there is an elevated risk of terrorist attacks. The following protective actions are recommended when the nation and/or state is placed at an ELEVATED (Yellow) Threat Condition:
Citizens:
- Continue normal activities, but report criminal or suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Office at 390-5555, or appropriate police department.
- Take a first aid or become involved in Community Emergency Response Team (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 to local law enforcement.
- Attend any public information update meetings that are announced or watch any television shows/programs dealing with emergency/disaster preparedness.
- Increase individual or family emergency preparedness through training, maintaining good physical fitness and health, and storing food, water and emergency supplies.
Businesses/Schools/Clubs/Places of Worship/Public Facilities:?
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to the Sheriff’s Office at 390-5555, or appropriate police department.
- Contact private security firm for security risk assessment and to determine availability of support/ reinforcement.
- Contact volunteer organizations for company support to determine how you can provide assistance in case of emergency.
Local Government:
- Announce Threat Level Elevated.
- Review physical security plans for critical facilities.
- Assess potential terrorist targets and develop plans to counteract an incident.
- Update 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 (Citizen Corps/CERT) to assist if needed.
- Closely monitor current news events and state and federal terrorism advisories.
- Re-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.
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High Condition (Orange).
A HIGH (Orange) Threat Condition is declared by the Office of Homeland Security when it has been determined that there is a high risk of terrorist attacks. The following protective actions are recommended when the nation and/or state is placed at a
HIGH (Orange) Threat Condition:
Citizens:
- Continue normal activities but expect some delays, baggage searches and restrictions as a result of heightened security at public buildings and facilities.
- Continue to monitor world and local events as well as local government threat advisories.
- Avoid leaving unattended packages or brief cases in public areas.
- Inventory and organize emergency supply kits and discuss emergency plans with family members.
- Consider taking reasonable personal security precautions. Be alert to your surroundings and avoid placing yourself or other members of your family in a vulnerable situation.
- Maintain close contact with your family and neighbors to ensure their safety and emotional welfare. Remind family of meeting place and out-of-area contact.
- Look for people wearing clothing that is inappropriate to the weather, people who seem out of place in their surroundings, or people who are unusually nervous and report it to the Sheriff’s Office at 390-5555, or appropriate police department.
Businesses/Schools/Clubs/Places of Worship/Public Facilities:?
- Review and be prepared to implement your emergency preparedness plans.
- Take steps to ensure the security of all computer and electronic communications systems.
- Control building entrances to prevent unauthorized persons from entering.
- Monitor news reports and communicate with employees regarding threat level and actions to be taken.
- Ensure that security personnel are alerted and that security systems are functioning properly.
State and Local Government:
- Take appropriate actions to protect critical infrastructures and key assets.
- Take additional precautions at public events. Consider alternate venues or even cancellation.
- Announce condition Orange to employees and the public and explain protective actions to be taken.
- Restrict or control access to government buildings, critical facilities and infrastructure (i.e., require identification, sign-in and escorts).
- Consider restricting parking areas located close to buildings or critical facilities.
- Consider removing trash containers, dumpsters and mailboxes located near government buildings and facilities.
- Closely monitor available security and intelligence information from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
- Instruct employees to be especially watchful for suspicious or unattended packages and articles.
- Inspect buildings and parking areas for suspicious packages.
- Disseminate information to prevent rumors and to avoid creating public panic.
- Secure and regularly inspect all buildings, vehicles, and parking and storage areas for intrusion.
- Closely monitor ALL deliveries and shipments
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Severe Condition (Red).
A SEVERE (Red) Threat Condition is declared by the Office of Homeland Security when it has been determined that there is a severe risk of terrorist attacks, or when an attack has occurred. The following protective actions are recommended when the nation and/or state is placed at a SEVERE (Red) Threat Condition:
Citizens:
- Listen to radio/TV for current information/ instructions.
- Continue normal activities but expect some delays, baggage searches and restrictions as a result of heightened security at public buildings and facilities.
- Continue to monitor world and local events as well as level and actions to be taken.
- Report suspicious activities at or near critical facilities to local law enforcement agencies by calling 9-1-1.
- Avoid leaving unattended packages or brief cases in public areas.
- Inventory and organize emergency supply kits and discuss emergency plans with family members.
- Consider taking reasonable personal security precautions. Be alert to your surroundings and avoid placing yourself or other members of your family in a vulnerable situation.
- Maintain close contact with your family and neighbors to ensure their safety and emotional welfare. Remind family of meeting place and out-of-area contact.
Businesses/Schools/Clubs/Places of Worship/Public Facilities:?
- Monitor news reports and communicate with employees regarding threat level and actions to be taken
- Ensure that security personnel are alerted and that security systems are functioning properly.
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to the Sheriff’s Office at 390-5555, or appropriate police department.
- Review and be prepared to implement your emergency response plans.
- Have appropriate media materials on hand.
- Control building entrances to prevent unauthorized persons from entering.
- Contact vendors/suppliers to confirm their emergency response plan preparedness.
- Take steps to ensure the security of all computer and electronic communication systems, to include possible off site storage.
State and Local Government:
- Announce Threat Level RED to employees and the public and explain protective actions to be taken.
- Take appropriate actions to protect critical infrastructures and key assets.
- Take additional precautions at public events. Consider alternate venues or even cancellation.
- Erect outside barricades, make security checks to deny access to underground parking areas, loading docks and building entrance.
- Restrict or control access to government buildings, critical facilities and infrastructure (i.e., require identification, sign-in and escorts).
- Consider restricting parking areas located close to buildings or critical facilities.
- Consider removing trash and newspaper containers, dumpsters and mailboxes located near government buildings and facilities.
- Closely monitor security and intelligence information from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
- Instruct employees to be especially watchful for suspicious or unattended packages and articles.
- Secure and regularly inspect all buildings, vehicles, and parking and storage areas for intrusion.
- Disseminate information to prevent rumors and to avoid creating public panic.