April 30, 2008
Warning Code Level Change
The Department of Homeland Security has created a warning system that represents increasing threat levels by a Green, Blue, Yellow, Orange, Red color code progression. Over the past two years, the warning code level has been changed several times from Yellow to Orange and back again. These colors correspond to Moderate, and High threat levels, respectively. RACES members should adopt emergency readiness procedures that correspond to these levels. The paragraphs below outline the governmental responses expected at the various warning levels. Below each a few steps have been added to indicate recommended corresponding RACES actions.
Low Condition (Green)
This condition is declared when there is a low risk of terrorist attacks. Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures they develop and implement:
1. Refining and exercising as appropriate preplanned Protective Measures;
2. Ensuring personnel receive proper training on the Homeland Security Advisory System and specific preplanned department or agency Protective Measures; and
3. Institutionalizing a process to assure that all facilities and regulated sectors are regularly assessed for vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks, and all reasonable measures are taken to mitigate these vulnerabilities.
Recommended RACES Response (Increase General Preparedness):
• Members should use this time to improve their operating skills and ARECC certification level.
• Participation in public service events, monthly Tech Rallies, and weekly Nets is recommended.
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, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:
1. Checking communications with designated emergency response or command locations;
2. Reviewing and updating emergency response procedures; and
3. Providing the public with any information that would strengthen its ability to act appropriately.
Recommended RACES Response (Verify Readiness):
• Participation in public service events, monthly RACES Tech Rallies, and weekly Nets is advised to maintain and improve operating skills.
• Members should continue to improve their operating skills and ARECC certification level.
• Emergency Plan should be reviewed and contributions or corrections should be submitted.
• General readiness of equipment should be verified monthly.
• EC should coordinate with County regularly.
Elevated Condition (Yellow)
An Elevated Condition is declared when there is a significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:
1. Increasing surveillance of critical locations;
2. Coordinating emergency plans as appropriate with nearby jurisdictions;
3. Assessing whether the precise characteristics of the threat require the further refinement of preplanned Protective Measures; and
4. Implementing, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans.
Recommended RACES Response (Make Ready):
• Prepare home food, water, and medical supplies. Check family emergency plan.
• Check that RACES Emergency Plan, County maps, and HAZMAT books are up-to-date and in automobile.
• Practice formal traffic handling monthly on traffic net.
• Participate in public service events and monthly Tech Rallies.
• Log into weekly Nets.
• Check/charge HT and storage batteries weekly.
• EC should make weekly contact with County and report status on weekly Net.
• EC should put RACES on “Ready” status, indicating that activation is possible but is not expected.
• Formally invite County to participate in RACES Quarterly Meetings.
High Condition (Orange)
A High Condition is declared when there is a high risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:
1. Coordinating necessary security efforts with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies or any National Guard or other appropriate armed forces organizations;
2. Taking additional precautions at public events and possibly considering alternative venues or even cancellation;
3. Preparing to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an alternate site or dispersing their workforce; and
4. Restricting threatened facility access to essential personnel only.
Recommended RACES Response (Alert/Standby):
• Avoid public service events and large public gatherings.
• Maintain home food, water, and medical supplies. Draw ready cash.
• Test home and mobile communications equipment weekly.
• Charge up HT and storage batteries weekly.
• Refresh food, water, and clothes in go-kits.
• Check car and keep gas tank nearly full.
• Refresh gas for emergency generators and test.
• Pack go-kits and emergency batteries in car.
• Program HT, home, and mobile equipment to RACES frequencies.
• Carry HT at all times.
• Log into weekly RACES Net indicating state of readiness and availability.
• Practice formal traffic handling monthly on traffic net.
• EC should put RACES on notice: “Alert” indicating that activation is possible or “Standby” indicating that activation is probable.
• EC should prepare a detailed Readiness Assessment for the County.
• RACES leadership should request and hold planning meetings with County.
• Alternate sites for “Red” alert meetings should be planned and agreed upon with County
• Formally request that County brief membership at RACES Quarterly meetings.
• EC should be in contact with County and receive status briefing weekly.
• Review status of security badges with County and update if needed.
Severe Condition (Red)
A Severe 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, Federal departments and agencies also should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:
1. Increasing or redirecting personnel to address critical emergency needs;
2. Assigning emergency response personnel and pre-positioning and mobilizing specially trained teams or resources;
3. Monitoring, redirecting, or constraining transportation systems; and
4. Closing public and government facilities.
Recommended RACES Response (“Standby” or “Hot Standby” status):
• Do NOT participate in public service events or attend large public gatherings.
• Secure home, emergency supplies, and family members.
• Carry HT at all times (turned on and monitoring RACES repeater Net).
• Update security badge complement (color coded buttonier, bracelet, etc.) and procedures for hospital and RACES room access.
• If activated, work up duty roster and staff RACES room 24/7 with two or more operators. Otherwise hold daily roll call net at 0530. Members should log in daily and indicate state of readiness and availability. Suspend weekly net. Use this time for weekly Planning Meeting.
• EC should hold weekly Planning Meeting with RACES members at alternate site, preferably away from EOC location.
• EC should put RACES on “Standby” (Activation likely) or “Hot Standby” (Activation with deployment imminent), depending upon County expectations. In the former case, EC should be in contact with County and receive status briefing daily. In the latter case, RACES room would be staffed, and the EC should be in contact with County continuously.