HOMELAND SECURITY

The Office of Homeland Security coordinates with federal, state and local counter-terrorism efforts. This office works with state and local governments on detection, preparedness, prevention, response, recovery and incident management.

A Texas Task Force is charged with assessing the ability of state and local government agencies to respond to threats and to effectively provide victims assistance and aid coordination.

The Office of Homeland Security uses a five-level system of threat conditions to measure the risk of terrorist attack. Threat conditions may be assigned for the entire nation or they may be established for a particular geographic area or industrial sector. At all times, the public is encouraged to remain prepared.

For current nationwide threat levels, visit www.whitehouse.gov/homeland and monitor local and national news reports.

Severe Condition (Red) Declared when there is a severe risk of terrorist attack . Federal departments and local agencies may assign emergency response personnel and mobilize specially trained teams or resources, monitor, redirect or constrain transportation systems and or close public and government facilities.

High Condition (Orange) Declared when there is a high risk of terrorist attack . Federal departments and local agencies may take additional precautions at public events and possibly consider alternative venues or even cancellations or restrict threatened facility access to essential personnel only.

Elevated Condition (Yellow) Declared when there is a significant risk of terrorist attack .

Guarded Condition (Blue) Declared when there is a general risk of terrorist attack .

Low Condition (Green) Declared when there is a low risk of terrorist attack .

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