HOMELAND SECURITY INFORMATION

Homeland Security Components

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has three primary missions:
• Lead the unified national effort to secure America
• Prevent and deter terrorist attacks and protect against
and respond to threats and hazards to the nation
• Ensure safe and secure borders, welcome lawful
immigrants and visitors, and promote the free-flow of
commerce.

DHS gives state and local officials one primary contact instead of many, an
important advantage when it comes to matters related to training, equipment,
planning, exercises and other critical homeland security needs. It
manages federal grant programs for enhancing the preparedness of First
Responders and infrastructure. DHS also set standards for state and local
preparedness activities and equipment.
DHS is made up of several major components:
Directorate for National Protection and Programs - works to advance
DHS's risk-reduction mission with an integrated approach that
encompasses both physical and virtual threats and their associated human
elements. NPP components focus on cyber security and communications,
critical infrastructure protection, etc.
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office - jointly staffed office established to
improve the Nation’s capability to detect and report unauthorized attempts
to import, possess, store, develop, or transport nuclear or radiological
material for use against the Nation, and to further enhance this capability
over time.

Science and Technology - coordinates efforts in research and development,
including preparing for and responding to the full range of terrorist
threats involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive
attacks.

Some other key agencies and components include Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP),
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Intelligence and
Analysis, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the U.S. Coast
Guard, and the U.S. Secret Service. To learn more and to find some useful
links for businesses and citizens, visit www.dhs.gov

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ABOUT THE HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISORY SYSTEM

In March 2002, the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) was
implemented using color-coded “Threat Conditions” that increase or
decrease based on reports from the Intelligence Community.
HSAS’s “Threat Conditions” or “Threat Levels”:
SEVERE = RED (Severe risk of terrorist attacks)
HIGH = ORANGE (High risk of terrorist attacks)
ELEVATED = YELLOW (Significant risk of terrorist attacks)
GUARDED = BLUE (General risk of terrorist attacks)
LOW = GREEN (Low risk of terrorist attacks)

Alerts and threat conditions can be declared for the entire nation, or for a
specific geographic area or industry. The public should stay current with
news and alerts issued by officials ... and be aware, be prepared, and have
a plan at all threat levels.
The District of Columbia Emergency Management Agency (DCEMA)
developed and contributed the following “Terrorist Threat Advisory
System” that mirrors the national Homeland Security Advisory System.
The DCEMA’s suggested precautions provide general guidance only to
help organizations and families take actions best tailored for their needs.
Please note, there are some protective measures for federal departments
and agencies per DHS included here too.

LOW (Green) - a low risk of terrorism. Routine security is implemented
to preclude routine criminal threats.
Residents are advised to:
• Continue to enjoy individual freedom. Participate freely in travel, work,
and recreational activities.
• Be prepared for disasters and family emergencies.
• Develop a family emergency plan.
• Keep recommended immunizations up-to-date.
• Know how to turn off power, gas, and water service to your house.
• Know what hazardous materials are stored in your home and how to
properly dispose of unneeded chemicals.
• Support the efforts of your local emergency responders (fire fighters, law
enforcement and emergency medical service).
• Know what natural hazards are prevalent in your area and what measures
you can take to protect your family. Be familiar with local natural and
technological (man-made) hazards in your community.
• Volunteer to assist and support community emergency response agencies.
• Become active in your local Neighborhood Crime Watch program.
• Take a first aid or Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class.
Business owners and managers are advised to:
• Develop emergency operations and business contingency plans.
• Encourage and assist employees to be prepared for personal, natural,
technological, and homeland security emergencies.
• Conduct emergency preparedness training for employees and their
families.
• Develop a communications plan for emergency response and key personnel.
• Conduct training for employees on physical security precautions.
• Budget for physical security measures.
Federal departments and agencies should consider:
• Refine and exercise planned Protective Measures.
• Ensure emergency personnel receive proper training on HSAS measures.
• Assess facilities for vulnerabilities and take measures to mitigate them.

GUARDED (Blue) - a general risk of terrorism with no credible threats
to specific targets.
In addition to previously mentioned precautions, residents are advised to:
• Continue normal activities but be watchful for suspicious activities.
Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
• Review family emergency plans.
• Avoid leaving unattended packages or briefcases in public areas.
• Increase family emergency preparedness by purchasing supplies, food,
and storing water.
• Increase individual or family emergency preparedness through training,
maintaining good physical fitness and health, and storing supplies.
• Monitor local and national news for terrorist alerts.
In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, business owners and
managers are advised to:
• Ensure that key leaders are familiar with the emergency operations and
business contingency plans.
• Review, update, and routinely exercise functional areas of plans.
• Review and update the call down list for emergency response teams.
• Develop or review Mutual Aid agreements with other facilities and/or
with local government for use during emergencies.
• Review physical security precautions to prevent theft, unauthorized entry,
or destruction of property.
• Have you provided for:
- Employee picture ID badges?
- Background checks on all employees (as applicable)?
- Access control and locking of high security areas at all times?
- All security keys marked with "Do not Duplicate?"
- Surveillance Cameras?
- Backup power?
- An alarm system?
In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, federal departments
and agencies should consider:
• Check communications with designated emergency response or command
locations.
• Review and update emergency response procedures.
• Provide public with information that would strengthen its ability to act
appropriately.

ELEVATED (Yellow) - an elevated risk of terrorist attack but a
specific region of the USA or target has not been identified.
In addition to previously mentioned precautions, residents are advised to:
• Continue normal activities, but report suspicious activities to the local
law enforcement agencies.
• Network with your family, neighbors, and community for mutual support
during a disaster or terrorist attack.
• Learn what critical facilities are located in your community and report
suspicious activities at or near these sites.
• Contact local officials to learn about specific hazards in community.
• Develop a family plan and check contents of your Disaster Supplies Kit
Individual or family emergency preparedness should be
maintained through training, good physical fitness and health, and storing
food, water, and emergency supplies.
• Monitor media reports concerning situation.
In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, business owners and
managers are advised to:
• Announce Threat Condition ELEVATED to employees.
• Review vulnerability and threat assessments and revise as needed.
• Identify and monitor government information sharing sources for warnings
and alerts.
• Update and test call down list for emergency response teams and key
employees.
• Review, coordinate, and update mutual aid agreements with other critical
facilities and government agencies.
• Establish and monitor more active security measures.
• Review employee training on security precautions (bomb threat procedures,
reporting suspicious packages, activities, and people). Conduct
communications checks to ensure contacts can be maintained.
In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, federal departments
and agencies should consider:
• Increase surveillance of critical locations.
• Coordinate emergency plans with nearby jurisdictions, as needed.
• Assess whether the precise characteristics of the threat require further
refinement of preplanned protective measures.
• Implement, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans.

HIGH (Orange) - credible intelligence indicates that there is a high risk
of a local terrorist attack but a specific target has not been identified.
In addition to previously mentioned precautions, residents are advised to:
• Resume normal activities but expect some delays, baggage searches, and
restrictions due to heightened security at public buildings and facilities.
• Continue to monitor world and local events as well as local government
threat advisories.
• Report suspicious activities at or near critical facilities to local law
enforcement agencies by calling 9-1-1.
• Inventory and organize emergency supply kits and test emergency plans
with family members. Reevaluate meeting location based on threat.
• Consider taking reasonable personal security precautions. Be alert to your
surroundings, avoid placing yourself in a vulnerable situation, and monitor
the activities of your children.
• Maintain close contact with family and neighbors to ensure their safety
and emotional welfare.
In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, business owners and
managers are advised to:
• Announce Threat Condition HIGH to all employees and explain expected
actions.
• Place emergency response teams on notice.
• Activate the business emergency operations center if required. Establish
ongoing liaison with local law enforcement and emergency management
officials.
• Monitor world and local events. Pass on credible threat intelligence to
key personnel.
• Ensure appropriate security measures are in place and functioning properly.
• Instruct employees to report suspicious activities, packages, and people.
• Search all personal bags, parcels, and require personnel to pass through
magnetometer, if available.
• Inspect intrusion detection systems and lighting, security fencing, and
locking systems.
• Inspect all deliveries and consider accepting shipments only at off-site
locations.
• Remind employees to expect delays and baggage searches.
• Implement varying security measures (listed on next page)
The following measures incorporate a comprehensive list of security actions,
some of which may need to be implemented at lower levels. They are designed
to respond to the elevation to HIGH Risk (Orange) of terrorist attacks.

(Orange) Security Measures for Businesses - Little or No Cost Actions
• Increase the visible security personnel presence wherever possible.
• Rearrange exterior vehicle barriers (traffic cones) to alter traffic patterns
near facilities.
• Institute / increase vehicle, foot, and roving security patrols.
• Implement random security guard shift changes.
• Arrange for law enforcement vehicles to be parked randomly near
entrances and exits.
• Approach all illegally parked vehicles in and around facilities, question
drivers and direct them to move immediately. If owner cannot be identified,
have vehicle towed by law enforcement.
• Limit number of access points and strictly enforce access control procedures.
• Alter primary entrances and exits if possible.
• Implement stringent identification procedures to include conducting
100% "hands on" checks of security badges for all personnel (if used).
• Remind personnel to properly display badges, if applicable, and enforce
visibility.
• Require two forms of photo identification for all visitors.
• Escort all visitors entering and departing.
• X-ray packages and inspect handbags and briefcases at entry if possible.
• Validate vendor lists for all routine deliveries and repair services.
Security Measures for Businesses - Actions That May Bear Some Cost
• Increase perimeter lighting.
• Remove vegetation in and around perimeters, maintain regularly.
• Institute a vehicle inspection program to include checking under the
undercarriage of vehicles, under the hood, and in the trunk. Provide vehicle
inspection training to security personnel.
• Conduct vulnerability studies focusing on physical security, structural
engineering, infrastructure engineering, power, water, and air infiltration,
if feasible.
• Initiate a system to enhance mail and package screening procedures (both
announced and unannounced).
• Install special locking devices on manhole covers in & around facilities.
(Orange) In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, federal
departments and agencies should consider:
• Coordinate security efforts with federal, state and local law enforcement
agencies, National Guard or other security and armed forces.
• Take additional precautions at public events, possibly considering alternative
venues or cancellation.
• Prepare to work at an alternate site or with a dispersed workforce.
• Restrict access to a threatened facility to essential personnel only.

SEVERE (Red) - terrorist attack has occurred or credible and corroborated
intelligence indicates that one is imminent (a severe risk). Normally,
this threat condition is declared for a specific location or critical facility.
In addition to previously mentioned precautions, residents are advised to:
• Report suspicious activities and call 9-1-1 for immediate response.
• Expect delays, searches of purses and bags, and restricted access to public
buildings.
• Expect traffic delays and restrictions.
• Residents should have Disaster Supplies Kits stocked and in place ready
to go (medicines, glasses, important legal and financial papers) and emergency
supplies kits (first aid kits, duct tape, blankets, non-perishable
food, water) for sheltering in place, if requested to do so. (see Section 1)
• Take personal security precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime
or terrorist attack.
• Avoid participating in crowded optional public gatherings, like sporting
events and concerts. However, do not avoid going to public emergency
gathering locations such as hospitals and shelters, if directed or necessary.
These locations will have developed and initiated a strong security
plan to protect the residents.
• Do not travel into areas affected by the attack or that are likely to become
an expected terrorist target.
• Keep emergency supplies accessible and automobile fuel tank full.
• Be prepared to either evacuate your home or shelter-in-place on order of
local authorities.

• Be suspicious of persons taking photographs of critical facilities, asking
detailed questions about physical security or dressed inappropriately for
weather conditions. Report incidents immediately to law enforcement.
• Closely monitor news reports and Emergency Alert System (EAS)
radio/TV stations.
• Assist neighbors who may need help.
• Ensure pets can be readied quickly for boarding or evacuation.
• Avoid passing unsubstantiated information and rumors.
• Prepare to activate your personal Family Emergency Plan. (see Section 1)
In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, business owners and
managers are advised to:
• Announce Threat Condition SEVERE and explain expected actions.
• Deploy security personnel based on threat assessments.
• Close or restrict entry to the facility to emergency personnel only and
restrict parking areas close to critical buildings.
• Maintain a skeleton crew of emergency employees.
• Deploy emergency response and security teams.
• Activate Operations Centers (if applicable).
• Maintain close contact with local law enforcement, emergency management
officials and business consortium groups (Chamber of Commerce,
Board of Trade, etc.)
• Be prepared to implement mutual aid agreements with government and
with other similar/neighboring businesses/industries.
• Provide security in parking lots and company areas.
• Report suspicious activity immediately to local law enforcement.
• Restrict or suspend all deliveries and mail to facility. Emergency supplies
or essential shipments should be sent to off-site location for inspection.
• Activate your business emergency / contingency plan.
(Red) In addition to all previously mentioned precautions, federal departments
and agencies should consider:
• Increase or redirect personnel to address critical emergency needs.
• Assign emergency response personnel and pre-position and mobilize specially
trained teams or resources.
• Monitor, redirect, or constrain transportation systems.
• Close public and government facilities not critical for continuity of essential
operations, especially public safety.
For more information about the District of Columbia Emergency
Management Agency’s Homeland Security Terrorist Threat Advisory
System, visit http://dcema.dc.gov (link under “Information” header)
For more information about the Department of Homeland Security and
to stay current on national security alerts and warnings, visit www.dhs.gov.

Homeland Security News

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today new information requirements on maritime cargo destined for the United States. The Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements interim final rule will require maritime cargo carriers and importers to submit additional data to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before vessels are permitted entry into the country.
The rule requires carriers to submit a vessel stow plan and container status messages under certain scenarios where cargo containers are destined for the United States. The rule also requires importers or their agents to submit an Importer Security Filing (ISF) with eight data elements, no later than 24 hours before the cargo is laden aboard a vessel destined for the United States. They are:
Seller;
Buyer;
Importer of record number / foreign trade zone applicant identification number;
Consignee number(s);
Manufacturer (or supplier);
Ship to party;
Country of origin; and
Commodity Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) number
The rule provides flexibility for importers with respect to the submission of four of these data elements. In lieu of a single specific response, importers may submit a range of responses for each of the following data elements: manufacturer (or supplier), ship to party, country of origin, and commodity HTSUS number. The ISF must be updated as soon as more accurate or precise data becomes available and no later than 24 hours prior to the ship's arrival at a U.S. port.
The ISF will also need to include two data elements that must be submitted as early as possible, but no later than 24 hours prior to the ship's arrival at a U.S. port. These data elements are:
Container stuffing location; and
Consolidator.
In addition, the interim final rule requires five data elements in the ISF for shipments consisting entirely of foreign cargo remaining on board (FROB), shipments consisting entirely of goods intended to be transported in-bond as an immediate exportation (IE), or shipments for transportation and exportation (T&E). Importer Security Filings for IE and T&E shipments must be submitted no later than 24 hours before the cargo is laden aboard a vessel destined for the United States, and any time prior to lading for FROB shipments. The following five data elements must be submitted for FROB, IE and T&E shipments:
Booking party;
Foreign port of unlading;
Place of delivery;
Ship to party; and
Commodity HTSUS number.
CBP has made several significant changes from the proposed rule based on public and stakeholder feedback. The interim final rule includes a delayed compliance date of 12 months after the interim final rule takes effect. During this 12-month period, CBP will show restraint in enforcing the rule. CBP will take into account difficulties that importers may face in complying with the rule as long as importers are making a good faith effort and satisfactory progress toward compliance.
CBP will conduct a review to determine any specific compliance difficulties that importers and shippers may experience in submitting all 10 data elements, 24 hours before lading. The structured review will cover a range of enterprises, from small to large, and will include both integrated and nonintegrated supply chains.
The Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements interim final rule has been submitted to the Federal Register and will take effect 60 days after publication. CBP invites written comment on the six data elements for which some type of flexibility has been provided, and on the revised Regulatory Assessment and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis. Comments must be received on or before June 1, 2009, which marks the end of the information gathering phase of the structured review.
Based on the information obtained during the structured review and public comment periods, CBP will conduct an analysis of the elements subject to flexibility. The analysis will examine compliance costs for various industry segments, the impact of the flexibilities, the barriers to submitting the data 24 hours prior to lading, and the benefits of collecting the data. Based upon the analysis, DHS will determine whether to eliminate, modify or maintain these requirements.

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