National Security Emergencies

ARE YOU READY? 83

National
coercion or ransom. Terrorists often use
threats to create fear among the public, to
try to convince citizens that their govern-

Security ment is powerless to prevent terrorism,
and to get immediate publicity for their
causes.

Emergencies Acts of terrorism range from threats of
terrorism, assassinations, kidnappings,
hijackings, bomb scares and bombings,
cyber attacks (computer-based), to the
use of chemical, biological and nuclear
weapons.

High-risk targets include military and
civilian government facilities, international
airports, large cities and high-profile land-
marks. Terrorists might also target large
public gatherings, water and food supplies,
utilities, and corporate centers. Further,
they are capable of spreading fear by send-
ing explosives or chemical and biological
agents through the mail.

In the immediate area of a terrorist event,
you would need to rely on police, fire and
other officials for instructions. However,
you can prepare in much the same way

I
n addition to the natural and tech- you would prepare for other crisis events.
nological hazards described in this
publication, Americans face threats
posed by hostile governments or extremist Preparing for terrorism
groups. These threats to national security
include acts of terrorism and acts of war. 1. Wherever you are, be aware of your
surroundings. The very nature of
The following is general information about terrorism suggests there may be little
national security emergencies. For more or no warning.
information about how to prepare for
them, including volunteering in a Citizen 2. Take precautions when traveling. Be
Corps program, see the “For More Infor- aware of conspicuous or unusual be-
mation” chapter at the end of this guide. havior. Do not accept packages from
strangers. Do not leave luggage unat-
tended. Unusual behavior, suspicious

Terrorism
packages and strange devices should
be promptly reported to the police or
security personnel.

T errorism is the use of force or violence
against persons or property in viola-
tion of the criminal laws of the United
3. Do not be afraid to move or leave if you
feel uncomfortable or if something does
States for purposes of intimidation, not seem right.

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

84 ARE YOU READY?

4. Learn where emergency exits are lo- shelter-in-place, because of hazardous
cated in buildings you frequent. No- materials releases, nuclear power plant
tice where exits are when you enter incident, dam or flood control system
unfamiliar buildings. Plan how to get failures.
out of a building, subway or congested
public area or traffic. Note where
staircases are located. Notice heavy or Preparing for a
breakable objects that could move, fall
or break in an explosion.
building explosion
Explosions can collapse buildings and
5. Assemble a disaster supply kit at
cause fires. People who live or work in a
home and learn first aid. Separate the
multi-level building can do the following:
supplies you would take if you had to
evacuate quickly, and put them in a 1. Review emergency evacuation proce-
backpack or container, ready to go. dures. Know where emergency exits
are located.
6. Be familiar with different types of fire
extinguishers and how to locate them. 2. Keep fire extinguishers in working
Know the location and availability of order. Know where they are located,
hard hats in buildings in which you and learn how to use them.
spend a lot of time.
3. Learn first aid. Contact the local chap-
ter of the American Red Cross for infor-
Protection against cyber attacks mation and training.

Cyber attacks target computer or tele- 4. Building owners should keep the
communication networks of critical infra- following items in a designated place
structures such as power systems, traffic on each floor of the building.
control systems, or financial systems. • Portable, battery-operated radio and
Cyber attacks target information tech- extra batteries
nologies (IT) in three different ways. First, • Several flashlights and extra batteries
is a direct attack against an information • First aid kit and manual
system “through the wires” alone (hack- • Several hard hats
ing). Second, the attack can be a physical • Fluorescent tape to rope off dan-
assault against a critical IT element. Third, gerous areas
the attack can be from the inside as a re-
sult of compromising a trusted party with
access to the system. Bomb threats
1. Be prepared to do without services you If you receive a bomb threat, get as much
normally depend on that could be dis- information from the caller as possible.
rupted—electricity, telephone, natural Keep the caller on the line and record
gas, gasoline pumps, cash registers, everything that is said. Then notify the
ATM machines, and internet transac- police and the building management.
tions. If you are notified of a bomb threat, do not
2. Be prepared to respond to official touch any suspicious packages. Clear the
instructions if a cyber attack triggers area around suspicious packages and no-
other hazards, for example, general tify the police immediately. In evacuating
evacuation, evacuation to shelter, or a building, don’t stand in front of windows,


ARE YOU READY? 85

glass doors or other potentially hazardous • Have incorrect titles or title without a
areas. Do not block sidewalk or streets to name.
be used by emergency officials or others • Are not addressed to a specific person.
still exiting the building.
• Have handwritten or poorly typed
addresses.
Suspicious parcels and letters With suspicious envelopes and packages
Be wary of suspicious packages and let- other than those that might contain explo-
ters. They can contain explosives, chemi- sives, take these additional steps against
cal or biological agents. Be particularly possible biological and chemical agents.
cautious at your place of employment. • Refrain from eating or drinking in a
designated mail handling area.
Some typical characteristics postal inspec-
tors have detected over the • Place suspicious envelopes or packages
years, which ought to trigger in a plastic bag or some other
suspicion, include parcels type of container to prevent
that— In the immediate leakage of contents. Never
area of a sniff or smell suspect mail.
• Are unexpected or from
someone unfamiliar to you.
terrorist event, • If you do not have a con-
leave quickly tainer, then cover the envelope
• Have no return address, or
have one that can’t be veri-
and orderly. or package with anything

fied as legitimate. Listen to police, available (e.g., clothing, paper,
trash can, etc.) and do not
• Are marked with restric-
fire, and other remove the cover.
tive endorsements, such as officials for
• Leave the room and close
“Personal,” “Confidential” instructions. the door, or section off the
or “Do not x-ray.” area to prevent others from
• Have protruding wires or entering.
aluminum foil, strange odors or stains. • Wash your hands with soap and water
• Show a city or state in the postmark to prevent spreading any powder to
that doesn’t match the return address. your face.
• Are of unusual weight, given their size, • If you are at work, report the incident
or are lopsided or oddly shaped. to your building security official or an
• Are marked with any threatening available supervisor, who should notify
language. police and other authorities without
delay.
• Have inappropriate or unusual labeling.
• List all people who were in the room
• Have excessive postage or excessive or area when this suspicious letter or
packaging material such as masking package was recognized. Give a copy
tape and string. of this list to both the local public
• Have misspellings of common words. health authorities and law enforcement
• Are addressed to someone no longer officials for follow-up investigations and
with your organization or are otherwise advice.
outdated. • If you are at home, report the incident
to local police.


86 ARE YOU READY?

2. If you are trapped in debris:
What to do if there is an explosion • Do not light a match.
Leave the building as quickly as possible. • Do not move about or kick up dust.
Do not stop to retrieve personal posses- Cover your mouth with a handker-
sions or make phone calls. If things are chief or clothing.
falling around you, get under a sturdy • Rhythmically tap on a pipe or wall
table or desk until they stop falling. Then so that rescuers can hear where you
leave quickly, watching for weakened are. Use a whistle if one is available.
floors and stairs and falling debris as you Shout only as a last resort when
exit. you hear sounds and think someone
1. If there is a fire: will hear you—shouting can cause a
person to inhale dangerous amounts
• Stay low to the floor and exit the
of dust.
building as quickly as possible.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a
wet cloth.
• When approaching a closed door,
Chemical and
use the back of your hand to feel
the lower, middle and upper parts Biological Weapons
of the door. Never use the palm of
your hand or fingers to test for heat:
burning those areas could impair
I n case of a chemical or biological weap-
on attack near you, authorities will
instruct you on the best course of action.
your ability to escape a fire (i.e., lad- This may be to evacuate the area immedi-
ders and crawling). ately, to seek shelter at a designated loca-
– If the door is NOT hot, open slowly tion, or to take immediate shelter where
and ensure fire and/or smoke is you are and seal the premises. The best
not blocking your escape route. If way to protect yourself is to take emer-
your escape route is blocked, shut gency preparedness measures ahead of
the door immediately and use an time and to get medical attention as soon
alternate escape route, such as a as possible, if needed.
window. If clear, leave immedi-
ately through the door. Be pre-
pared to crawl. Smoke and heat Chemical
rise. The air is clearer and cooler
Chemical warfare agents are poisonous
near the floor.
vapors, aerosols, liquids or solids that
– If the door is hot, do not open have toxic effects on people, animals or
it. Escape through a window. If plants. They can be released by bombs,
you cannot escape, hang a white sprayed from aircraft, boats, or vehicles,
or light-colored sheet outside the or used as a liquid to create a hazard to
window, alerting fire fighters to people and the environment. Some chemi-
your presence. cal agents may be odorless and tasteless.
• Heavy smoke and poisonous gases They can have an immediate effect (a few
collect first along the ceiling. Stay seconds to a few minutes) or a delayed ef-
below the smoke at all times. fect (several hours to several days). While
potentially lethal, chemical agents are
difficult to deliver in lethal concentrations.


ARE YOU READY? 87

Outdoors, the agents often dissipate rap- duced or altered by chemical means.
idly. Chemical agents are also difficult to Some toxins can be treated with spe-
produce. cific antitoxins and selected drugs.

There are six types of agents: Most biological agents are difficult to grow
and maintain. Many break down quickly
• Lung-damaging (pulmonary) agents
when exposed to sunlight and other en-
such as phosgene,
vironmental factors, while others such as
• Cyanide, anthrax spores are very long lived. They
• Vesicants or blister agents such as can be dispersed by spraying them in the
mustard, air, or infecting animals which carry the
disease to humans as well through food
• Nerve agents such as GA (tabun), GB
and water contamination.
(sarin), GD (soman), GF, and VX,
• Aerosols—Biological agents are dis-
• Incapacitating agents such
persed into the air, forming
as BZ, and
a fine mist that may drift for
• Riot-control agents (similar Be aware miles. Inhaling the agent may
to MACE). of your cause disease in people or
surroundings. animals.

Biological The very nature • Animals—Some diseases
of terrorism are spread by insects and
Biological agents are organ- suggests that animals, such as fleas, mice,
flies, and mosquitoes. Delib-
isms or toxins that can kill or there may
incapacitate people, livestock erately spreading diseases
and crops. The three basic
be little or no through livestock is also
groups of biological agents warning. referred to as agroterrorism.
which would likely be used as • Food and water contami-
weapons are bacteria, virus- nation—Some pathogenic or-
es, and toxins. ganisms and toxins may persist in food
1. Bacteria. Bacteria are small free-living and water supplies. Most microbes can
organisms that reproduce by simple be killed, and toxins deactivated, by
division and are easy to grow. The cooking food and boiling water.
diseases they produce often respond to Anthrax spores formulated as a white
treatment with antibiotics. powder were mailed to individuals in
the government and media in the fall of
2. Viruses. Viruses are organisms which 2001. Postal sorting machines and the
require living cells in which to repro- opening of letters dispersed the spores
duce and are intimately dependent as aerosols. Several deaths resulted.
upon the body they infect. Viruses The effect was to disrupt mail service
produce diseases which generally do and to cause a widespread fear of han-
not respond to antibiotics. However, dling delivered mail among the public.
antiviral drugs are sometimes effective.
Person-to-person spread of a few
3. Toxins. Toxins are poisonous infectious agents is also possible.
substances found in, and extracted Humans have been the source of
from, living plants, animals, or micro- infection for smallpox, plague, and
organisms; some toxins can be pro- the Lassa viruses.


88 ARE YOU READY?

What to do to prepare for a • Seek shelter in an internal room,
preferably one without windows.
chemical or biological attack Seal the room with duct tape and
• Assemble a disaster supply kit (see plastic sheeting. Ten square feet of
the “Emergency Planning and Disas- floor space per person will provide
ter Supplies” chapter for more infor- sufficient air to prevent carbon di-
mation) and be sure to include: oxide build-up for up to five hours.
(See “Shelter” chapter.)
• Battery-powered commercial radio with
• Remain in protected areas where
extra batteries.
toxic vapors are reduced or elimi-
• Non-perishable food and drinking nated, and be sure to take your bat-
water. tery-operated radio with you.
• Roll of duct tape and scissors. 3. If you are caught in an unprotected
• Plastic for doors, windows area, you should:
and vents for the room in • Attempt to get up-wind of
which you will shelter in
The best the contaminated area.
place—this should be an protection
• Attempt to find shelter as
internal room where you against a quickly as possible.
can block out air that may chemical or • Listen to your radio for of-
contain hazardous chemi- biological attack ficial instructions.
cal or biological agents. To would come from
save critical time during being prepared
an emergency, sheeting
and getting What to do after a
should be pre-measured
and cut for each opening.
quick medical chemical attack
attention. Immediate symptoms of
• First aid kit.
exposure to chemical agents
• Sanitation supplies may include blurred vision,
including soap, water and bleach. eye irritation, difficulty breathing and
nausea. A person affected by a chemical
or biological agent requires immediate at-
What to do during a chemical or tention by professional medical personnel.
biological attack If medical help is not immediately avail-
able, decontaminate yourself and assist in
1. Listen to your radio for instructions decontaminating others. Decontamination
from authorities such as whether to is needed within minutes of exposure to
remain inside or to evacuate. minimize health consequences. (However,
you should not leave the safety of a shelter
2. If you are instructed to remain in your
to go outdoors to help others until authori-
home, the building where you are, or
ties announce it is safe to do so.)
other shelter during a chemical or bio-
logical attack: 1. Use extreme caution when helping oth-
ers who have been exposed to chemical
• Turn off all ventilation, including
agents:
furnaces, air conditioners, vents and
fans. • Remove all clothing and other items
in contact with the body. Contami-
nated clothing normally removed


ARE YOU READY? 89

over the head should be cut off to and emergency alert systems.
avoid contact with the eyes, nose,
If your skin or clothing comes in contact
and mouth. Put into a plastic bag
with a visible, potentially infectious sub-
if possible. Decontaminate hands
stance, you should remove and bag your
using soap and water. Remove
clothes and personal items and wash
eyeglasses or contact lenses. Put
yourself with warm soapy water immedi-
glasses in a pan of household bleach
ately. Put on clean clothes and seek medi-
to decontaminate.
cal assistance.
2. Remove all items in contact with the
body. For more information, visit the website for
the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
3. Flush eyes with lots of water.
vention, www.bt.cdc.gov.
4. Gently wash face and hair with soap
and water; then thoroughly rinse with
water.
5. Decontaminate other body areas
Nuclear and
likely to have been contaminated. Blot
(do not swab or scrape) with a cloth
Radiological Attack
N
soaked in soapy water and rinse with uclear explosions can cause deadly
clear water. effects—blinding light, intense
6. Change into uncontaminated clothes. heat (thermal radiation), initial nuclear
Clothing stored in drawers or closets is radiation, blast, fires started by the heat
likely to be uncontaminated. pulse, and secondary fires caused by the
destruction. They also produce radioactive
7. If possible, proceed to a medical facility
particles called fallout that can be carried
for screening.
by wind for hundreds of miles.

Terrorist use of a radiological dispersion
What to do after a biological attack device (RDD)—often called ”dirty nuke”
In many biological attacks, people will not or “dirty bomb”—is considered far more
know they have been exposed to an agent. likely than use of a nuclear device. These
In such situations, the first evidence of radiological weapons are a combination
an attack may be when you notice symp- of conventional explosives and radio-
toms of the disease caused by an agent active material designed to scatter danger-
exposure, and you should seek immediate ous and sub-lethal amounts of radio-
medical attention for treatment. active material over a general area. Such
radiological weapons appeal to terrorists
In some situations, like the anthrax let- because they require very little technical
ters sent in 2001, people may be alerted knowledge to build and deploy compared
to a potential exposure. If this is the case, to that of a nuclear device. Also, these ra-
pay close attention to all official warnings dioactive materials, used widely in med-
and instructions on how to proceed. The icine, agriculture, industry and research,
delivery of medical services for a biologi- are much more readily available and easy
cal event may be handled differently to to obtain compared to weapons grade ura-
respond to increased demand. Again, it nium or plutonium.
will be important for you to pay attention
to official instructions via radio, television,


90 ARE YOU READY?

Taking shelter during a nuclear attack is
Terrorist use of a nuclear device would
absolutely necessary. There are two kinds
probably be limited to a single smaller
of shelters—blast and fallout.
“suitcase” weapon. The strength of such
a weapon would be in the range of the Blast shelters offer some protection
bombs used during World War II. The against blast pressure, initial radiation,
nature of the effects would be the same as heat and fire, but even a blast shelter
a weapon delivered by an inter-continental could not withstand a direct hit from a
missile, but the area and severity of the nuclear detonation.
effects would be significantly more limited.
Fallout shelters do not need to be specially
There is no way of knowing how much constructed for that purpose. They can
warning time there would be before an be any protected space, provided that the
attack by a terrorist using a nuclear or walls and roof are thick and dense enough
radiological weapon. A surprise attack to absorb the radiation given off by fallout
remains a possibility. particles. The three protective
factors of a fallout shelter are
The danger of a massive shielding, distance, and time.
strategic nuclear attack on
Most electronic
the United States involv- equipment • Shielding. The more heavy,
ing many weapons receded within 1,000 dense materials—thick walls,
concrete, bricks, books and
with the end of the Cold War. miles of a high-
earth—between you and the
However, some terrorists have altitude nuclear fallout particles, the better.
been supported by nations detonation could
that have nuclear weapons • Distance. The more distance
programs.
be damaged by between you and the fallout
EMP. particles, the better. An under-
If there were threat of an ground area, such as a home
attack from a hostile na- or office building basement, of-
tion, people living near potential targets fers more protection than the first floor
could be advised to evacuate or they could of a building. A floor near the middle
decide on their own to evacuate to an area of a high-rise may be better, depending
not considered a likely target. Protection on what is nearby at that level on which
from radioactive fallout would require tak- significant fallout particles would col-
ing shelter in an underground area, or in lect. Flat roofs collect fallout particles
the middle of a large building. so the top floor is not a good choice, nor
is a floor adjacent to a neighboring flat
In general, potential targets include:
roof.
• Strategic missile sites and military • Time. Fallout radiation loses its inten-
bases. sity fairly rapidly. In time, you will be
• Centers of government such as Wash- able to leave the fallout shelter. Radio-
ington, D.C., and state capitals. active fallout poses the greatest threat
• Important transportation and commu- to people during the first two weeks, by
nication centers. which time it has declined to about 1%
• Manufacturing, industrial, technology of its initial radiation level.
and financial centers.
• Petroleum refineries, electrical power Remember that any protection, however
plants and chemical plants. temporary, is better than none at all, and
• Major ports and airfields. the more shielding, distance and time you
can take advantage of, the better.


ARE YOU READY? 91

Electromagnetic pulse could be designated as shelters again.
• Call your local emergency manage-
In addition to other effects, a nuclear ment office.
weapon detonated in or above the earth’s
• Look for yellow and black fallout
atmosphere can create an electromagnetic
shelter signs on public buildings.
pulse (EMP), a high-density electrical field.
Note: With the end of the Cold War,
EMP acts like a stroke of lightning but
many of the signs have been
is stronger, faster and briefer. EMP can
removed from the buildings previ-
seriously damage electronic devices con-
ously designated.
nected to power sources or antennas. This
• If no noticeable or official designa-
include communication systems, comput-
tions have been made, make your
ers, electrical appliances, and automobile
own list of potential shelters near
or aircraft ignition systems. The damage
your home, workplace and school:
could range from a minor interruption
basements, or the windowless center
to actual burnout of components. Most
area of middle floors in high-rise
electronic equipment within 1,000 miles of
buildings, as well as subways and
a high-altitude nuclear detonation could
tunnels.
be affected. Battery powered radios with
short antennas generally would not be af- • Give your household clear instruc-
fected. tions about where fallout shelters
are located and what actions to take
Although EMP is unlikely to harm most in case of attack.
people, it could harm those with pacemak-
ers or other implanted electronic devices. 4. If you live in an apartment building or
high-rise, talk to the manager about
the safest place in the building for
What to do before a nuclear or sheltering, and about providing for
building occupants until it is safe to
radiological attack go out.
1. Learn the warning signals and all 5. There are few public shelters in many
sources of warning used in your com- suburban and rural areas. If you are
munity. Make sure you know what the considering building a fallout shelter at
signals are, what they mean, how they home, keep the following in mind.
will be used, and what you should do if
• A basement, or any underground
you hear them.
area, is the best place to shelter from
2. Assemble and maintain a disaster sup- fallout. Often, few major changes are
ply kit with food, water, medications, needed, especially if the structure
fuel and personal items adequate for has two or more stories and its base-
up to 2 weeks—the more the better. ment—or one corner of it—is below
(See the “Emergency Planning and ground.
Disaster Supplies” chapter for more • Fallout shelters can be used for
information). storage during non-emergency peri-
3. Find out what public buildings in your ods, but only store things there that
community may have been designated can be very quickly removed. (When
as fallout shelters. It may have been they are removed, dense, heavy
years ago, but start there, and learn items may be used to add to the
which buildings are still in use and shielding.)


92 ARE YOU READY?

• See the “Tornadoes” section in the out. If you are close enough to see
“Thunderstorms” chapter for infor- the brilliant flash of a nuclear explo-
mation on the “Wind Safe Room,” sion, the fallout will arrive in about
which could be used as shelter in 20 minutes. Take shelter, even if you
the event of a nuclear detonation or are many miles from ground zero—ra-
for fallout protection, especially in a dioactive fallout can be carried by the
home without a basement. winds for hundreds of miles. Remem-
• All the items you will need for your ber the three protective factors: shield-
stay need not be stocked inside ing, distance and time.
the shelter itself but can be stored 4. Keep a battery-powered radio with
elsewhere, as long as you can move you, and listen for official information.
them quickly to the shelter. Follow the instructions given. Local
6. Learn about your community’s evac- instructions should always take pre-
uation plans. Such plans may include cedence: officials on the ground know
evacuation routes, relocation sites, the local situation best.
how the public will be notified and
transportation options for people who
do not own cars and those who have
What to do after a nuclear or
special needs. See the “Evacuation” radiological attack
chapter for more information.
In a public or home shelter:
7. Acquire other emergency preparedness
booklets that you may need. See the 1. Do not leave the shelter until officials
“For More Information” chapter at the say it is safe. Follow their instructions
end of this guide. when leaving.
2. If in a fallout shelter, stay in your shel-
ter until local authorities tell you it is
What to do during a nuclear or permissible or advisable to leave. The
radiological attack length of your stay can range from a
day or two to four weeks.
1. Do not look at the flash or fireball—
it can blind you. • Contamination from a radiological
dispersion device could affect a wide
2. If you hear an attack warning: area, depending on the amount of
• Take cover as quickly as you can, conventional explosives used, the
BELOW GROUND IF POSSIBLE, and quantity of radioactive material and
stay there unless instructed to do atmospheric conditions.
otherwise. • A “suitcase” terrorist nuclear device
• If you are caught outside, unable to detonated at or near ground level
get inside immediately, take cover would produce heavy fallout from
behind anything that might offer the dirt and debris sucked up into
protection. Lie flat on the ground the mushroom cloud.
and cover your head. • A missile-delivered nuclear weapon
• If the explosion is some distance from a hostile nation would probably
away, it could take 30 seconds or cause an explosion many times more
more for the blast wave to hit. powerful than a suitcase bomb, and
3. Protect yourself from radioactive fall- provide a greater cloud of radioactive
fallout.


ARE YOU READY? 93

• The decay rate of the radioactive explosion, check first for any sign of
fallout would be the same, making it collapse or damage, such as:
necessary for those in the areas with • toppling chimneys, falling bricks,
highest radiation levels to remain in collapsing walls, plaster falling from
shelter for up to a month. ceilings.
• The heaviest fallout would be limited
• fallen light fixtures, pictures and
to the area at or downwind from the
mirrors.
explosion, and 80% of the fallout
would occur during the first 24 • broken glass from windows.
hours. • overturned bookcases, wall units or
• Because of these facts and the very other fixtures.
limited number of weapons terrorists • fires from broken chimneys.
could detonate, most of the country
would not be affected by fallout. • ruptured gas and electric lines.
• People in most of the 3. Immediately clean up
areas that would be af- Learn how spilled medicines, drugs,
fected could be allowed to build a flammable liquids, and other
to come out of shel- temporary potentially hazardous mate-
rials.
ter and, if necessary, fallout shelter to
evacuate to unaffected 4. Listen to your battery-pow-
protect yourself
areas within a few days. ered radio for instructions
from radioactive
and information about com-
3. Although it may be dif- fallout even if munity services.
ficult, make every effort you do not live
to maintain sanitary 5. Monitor the radio and
near a potential your television for informa-
conditions in your shelter
space. nuclear target. tion on assistance that may
be provided. Local, state
4. Water and food may be
and federal governments and
scarce. Use them prudently but do not
other organizations will help meet
impose severe rationing, especially for
emergency needs and help you recover
children, the ill or elderly.
from damage and losses.
5. Cooperate with shelter managers. Liv-
6. The danger may be aggravated by
ing with many people in confined space
broken water mains and fallen power
can be difficult and unpleasant.
lines.
7. If you turned gas, water and electric-
Returning to your home ity off at the main valves and switch
before you went to shelter:
1. Keep listening to the radio for news
• Do not turn the gas back on.
about what to do, where to go, and
The gas company will turn it back
places to avoid.
on for you or you will receive other
2. If your home was within the range of instructions.
a bomb’s shock wave, or you live in a
• Turn the water back on at the main
high-rise or other apartment building
valve only after you know the water
that experienced a non-nuclear
system is working and water is not
contaminated.


94 ARE YOU READY?

• Turn electricity back on at the main
switch only after you know the wir-
ing is undamaged in your home and
Homeland Security
the community electrical system is
functioning.
Advisory System
• Check to see that sewage lines
are intact before using sanitary
facilities.
T he Homeland Security Advisory Sys-
tem was designed to provide a com-
prehensive means to disseminate infor-
8. Stay away from damaged areas. mation regarding the risk of terrorist acts
9. Stay away from areas marked “radia- to federal, state, and local authorities
tion hazard” or “HAZMAT.” and to the American people. This system
provides warnings in the form of a set of
For more information relevant to terrorism graduated “Threat Conditions” that in-
consult the following chapters: crease as the risk of the threat increases.
• The “Earthquakes” chapter for informa- At each threat condition, federal depart-
tion about protecting yourself when a ments and agencies would implement a
building is shaking or unsafe and the corresponding set of “Protective Measures”
Fire chapter for tips on fire safety. to further reduce vulnerability or increase
response capability during a period of
• The “Hazardous Materials Incidents”
heightened alert.
chapter for information about sealing a
home.
• The “Emergency Planning and Disaster
Supplies” chapter for information about
preparing a disaster supply kit.
Red
• The “Shelter” chapter for measures
regarding water purification. Orange
• The “Evacuation” chapter for informa-
Yellow
tion about evacuation procedures.
• The “Recovering from Disaster” chapter Blue
for information about crisis counseling.
Green

Although the Homeland Security Advi-
sory System is binding on the executive
branch, it is voluntary to other levels of
government and the private sector. There
are five threat conditions, each identified
by a description and corresponding color.
The greater the risk of a terrorist attack,
the higher the threat condition. Risk
includes both the probability of an at-
tack occurring and its potential gravity.


ARE YOU READY? 95

Threat conditions are assigned by the (see “Emergency Planning and Disas-
Attorney General in consultation with the ter Supplies” chapter).
Assistant to the President for Homeland
Security. Threat conditions may be as- Guarded Condition (Blue). This condi-
signed for the entire nation, or they may tion is declared when there is a general
be set for a particular geographic area or risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the
industrial sector. Assigned threat condi- measures taken in the previous threat
tions will be reviewed at regular intervals condition, federal departments and agen-
to determine whether adjustments are cies will consider the following protective
warranted. measures:
• Check communications with des-
ignated emergency response or com-
Threat Conditions and Associated Pro-
mand locations;
tective Measures
• Review and update emergency re-
There is always a risk of a terrorist sponse procedures; and
threat. Each threat condition assigns a
• Provide the public with any infor-
level of alert appropriate to the increas-
mation that would strengthen its abil-
ing risk of terrorist attacks. Beneath
ity to act appropriately.
each threat condition are some suggested
protective measures that the government Members of the public, in addition to
and the public can take, recognizing that the actions taken for the previous threat
the heads of federal departments and condition, can:
agencies are responsible for developing • Update their disaster supply kit;
and implementing appropriate agency-
• Review their household disaster plan;
specific Protective Measures:
• Hold a household meeting to discuss
Low Condition (Green). This condition what members would do and how they
is declared when there is a low risk of would communicate in the event of an
terrorist attacks. Federal departments incident;
and agencies will consider the following • Develop a more detailed household
protective measures. communication plan;
• Refine and exercise prearranged pro- • Apartment residents should discuss
tective measures; with building managers steps to be
• Ensure personnel receive proper taken during an emergency; and
training on the Homeland Security • People with special needs should
Advisory System and specific prear- discuss their emergency plans with
ranged department or agency protec- friends, family or employers.
tive measures; and
Elevated Condition (Yellow). An Elevated
• Institute a process to assure that all
Condition is declared when there is a sig-
facilities and regulated sectors are
nificant risk of terrorist attacks. In addi-
regularly assessed for vulnerabilities
tion to the measures taken in the previous
to terrorist attacks, and all reason-
threat conditions, federal departments
able measures are taken to mitigate
and agencies will consider the following
these vulnerabilities.
protective measures:
Members of the public can: • Increase surveillance of critical
• Develop a household disaster plan locations;
and assemble a disaster supply kit.


96 ARE YOU READY?

• Coordinate emergency plans with • Review preparedness measures (in-
nearby jurisdictions as appropriate; cluding evacuation and sheltering) for
• Assess whether the precise characteri- potential terrorist actions including
stics of the threat require the further chemical, biological, and radiological
refinement of prearranged protective attacks;
measures; and • Avoid high profile or symbolic loca-
• Implement, as appropriate, contin- tions; and
gency and emergency response plans. • Exercise caution when traveling.

Severe Condition (Red). A Severe Con-
Members of the public, in addition to
dition reflects a severe risk of terrorist
the actions taken for the previous threat
attacks. Under most circumstances, the
condition, can:
protective measures for a Severe Condi-
• Be observant of any suspicious activity tion are not intended to be sustained for
and report it to authorities; substantial periods of time. In addition to
• Contact neighbors to discuss their the protective measures in the previous
plans and needs; threat conditions, federal departments
• Check with school officials to deter- and agencies also will consider the follow-
mine their plans for an emergency and ing general measures:
procedures to reunite children with • Increase or redirect personnel to ad-
parents and caregivers; and dress critical emergency needs;
• Update the household communication • Assign emergency response personnel
plan. and pre-position and mobilize special-
ly trained teams or resources;
High Condition (Orange). A High Condi-
tion is declared when there is a high risk • Monitor, redirect, or constrain trans-
of terrorist attacks. In addition to the portation systems; and
measures taken in the previous threat • Close public and government facilities
conditions, federal departments and agen- not critical for continuity of essential
cies will consider the following protective operations, especially pubic safety.
measures:
Members of the public, in addition to the
• Coordinate necessary security efforts actions taken for the previous threat con-
with federal, state, and local law en- ditions, can:
forcement agencies, National Guard or
• Avoid public gathering places such as
other security and armed forces;
sports arenas, holiday gatherings, or
• Take additional precautions at public other high risk locations;
events, possibly considering alterna-
• Follow official instructions about re-
tive venues or even cancellation;
strictions to normal activities;
• Prepare to execute contingency proce-
• Contact employer to determine status
dures, such as moving to an alternate
of work;
site or dispersing the workforce; and
• Listen to the radio and TV for possible
• Restrict access to a threatened facility
advisories or warnings; and
to essential personnel only.
• Prepare to take protective actions such
Members of the public, in addition to the as sheltering-in-place or evacuation if
actions taken for the previous threat con- instructed to do so by public officials.
ditions, can:


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