Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge unveiled the color-coded Homeland Security Advisory System March 12 to spell out five levels of potential terrorist threats.
The new system was developed after the Bush administration faced criticism for issuing vague terrorist warnings without providing any specifics. The thermometer-style warning system was intended to provide a common vocabulary so officials from across the government can communicate with one another and the public with minimal confusion.
The nation had been on ”elevated” or yellow alert in the middle of the spectrum, since the system was implemented.
The five threat levels are:
• Green, or low risk of terrorist attack. This level mandates protective measures such as regularly checking critical facilities — power grids, transportation infrastructure and computer networks — for vulnerabilities, and ensuring state and local employees receive training to secure them.
• Blue, or guarded condition, requires all precautions from the green level, plus it calls for government agencies to review and update emergency procedures and check communications systems.
• Yellow, or elevated condition, means there’s a significant risk of attack. It entails raising surveillance of important locations, double-checking emergency plans and making necessary adjustments.
• Orange means a high risk of terrorist attack. It requires coordinating specific government security efforts with armed forces and law-enforcement agencies, stepping up precautions at public events, preparing to shift government workers to alternative sites and restricting access or shutting down government facilities and buildings.
• Red means a severe, or imminent, risk of attack. It entails assigning emergency response teams to monitor, redirect or shut down transportation systems, closing government and public and facilities, and increasing or redirecting personnel to address emergency needs.
