A new
color-coded U.S.
threat advisory system that creates a
national framework and a
common vocabulary so that
government and the
private sector can deal effectively and efficiently with threats of
terrorist attack.
Unveiled on
March 12th, 2002, approximate six months from the attacks on
September 11th on the
World Trade Center and
Pentagon, this new system adds to the system previously known as
FPCON (unveiled
June 2001, previously
THREATCON). The primary difference and advancement of this new system is to be
overlayed on a
map, so
threat assessment levels can be
localized by region or state, and can therefore act accordingly. This new system allows certain
regions to be aware of
risks in their locality, without
mobilizing the entire nation to a certain threat assessment level.
RED - Severe - Severe Risk of terrorist attacks
Assigning emergency response personnel and pre-positioning specially trained teams; Monitoring, redirecting or constraining transportation systems;
Closing public and government facilities; and
Increasing or redirecting personnel to address critical emergency needs.
ORANGE - High - High risk of terrorist attacks
Coordinating necessary security efforts with armed forces or law enforcement agencies;
Taking additional precaution at public events;
Preparing to work at an alternate site or with a dispersed workforce; and Restricting access to essential personnel only.
YELLOW - Elevated - Significant risk of terrorist attacks
Increasing surveillance of critical locations;
Coordinating emergency plans with nearby jurisdictions;
Assessing further refinement of Protective Measures within the context of the current threat information; and
Implementing, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans.
BLUE - Guarded - General risk of terrorist attacks
Checking communications with designated emergency response or command locations;
Reviewing and updating emergency response procedures; and
Providing the public with necessary information.
GREEN - Low - Low risk of terrorist attacks
Refining and exercising preplanned Protective Measures
Ensuring personnel receive training on HSAS, departmental, or agency-specific Protective Measures; and
Regularly assessing facilities for vulnerabilities and taking measures to reduce them.
Editors note:
The color coded system was retired in 2011. There are now only two stages that we have to worry about and are defined as:
Elevated: Warns of a credible terrorist threat against the United States.
Imminent: Warns of a credible, specific, and impending terrorist threat against the United States.
Don't you feel safer now?