Homeland Security Advisory System Threat Conditions

Recommended Actions for Fire Rescue Personnel

1. Low Condition (Green). This condition is declared when there is a low risk of terrorist attacks. Fire Rescue Departments should take the following general actions:

· Refining and exercising appropriate preplanned Protective Measures.

· Assure personnel receive proper training on Protective Measures.

· Coordinate with the Domestic Security Task Force to assure that all reasonable measures are taken to mitigate 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, Fire Rescue Departments should take the following general actions:

· 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.

3. Elevated Condition (Yellow). This Condition is declared when there is a significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions, Fire Rescue Departments should take the following general actions:

· Personnel should have a heightened security awareness with their station and apparatus. This should include keeping bay and apparatus doors secured when possible.

· Personnel should have a heightened awareness when responding to critical/sensitive locations.

· Coordinate emergency plans as appropriate with nearby jurisdictions.

· Assess whether the characteristics of the threat require the further refinement of preplanned Protective Measures.

· Implement, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans.

4. High Condition (Orange). This Condition is declared when there is a high risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions, Fire Rescue Departments should take the following general actions:

· Staffing of Special Operations units should be maintained with an adequate number of certified personnel on each unit.

· Available extra personnel will be assigned to Special Operations Units.

· Coordinate necessary efforts with Federal, State, and local agencies, including any appropriate armed forces organizations.

· Take additional precautions at public events. Possibly consider alternative venues or cancellation.

· Prepare to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an alternate site or dispersing critical personnel.

· Additional attention should be given to security at stations and other facilities.

· Consider restricting Headquarters Complex access to essential personnel only.

5. Severe Condition (Red). This 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, Fire Rescue Departments should take the following general actions:

· Non essential leave will be cancelled as required to increase personnel to address critical emergency needs.

· Staffing of Special Operations units should be augmented with additional certified personnel if indicated by the threat.

· Two additional certified personnel will be assigned to each Special Operations unit.

· Restrict access to stations and other facilities to essential personnel only.

· If not done at previous level, restrict Headquarters Complex access to essential personnel only.

· Consider pre-positioning or mobilization of specialty teams or resources.

· Close non-essential public and government facilities.