For Immediate Release
February 7, 2003

Orange Alert

Based upon specific information analyzed by the intelligence community, and after conferring with the Homeland Security Council, the decision has been made to increase the national threat level from yellow “elevated risk” to orange “high risk.” Recent intelligence reports, corroborated through multiple intelligence sources, suggest an increased likelihood that the al Qaeda terrorist network may attempt to attack Americans in the United States and/or abroad in or around the end of the Hajj, the Muslim religious period ending mid-February of 2003.

1. Orange: High Condition

   A High Condition is declared when there is a high risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the measures taken in the previous threat conditions, federal departments and agencies will consider the following protective measures:

   • Coordinate necessary 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 even cancellation;
   • Prepare to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an alternate site or dispersing the workforce; and
   • Restrict access to a threatened facility to essential personnel only.

2. What the Department of Homeland Security Is Doing

   Steps being taken by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
   Steps being taken by the Border and Transportation Security Directorate

3. How You Can Stay Prepared

   Information and guidance support to help you prepare for national emergencies, including preparing for terrorism or chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attacks.

   The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s “Are You Ready?”—provides information on how to prepare you and your family for possible disasters, including terrorist threats. Read the section dedicated to terrorist threats.

   The Red Cross Homeland Security Advisory System: Red Cross recommendations for Individuals, Families, Neighborhoods, Schools, and Businesses in the event of an increase in the Homeland Security threat level: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/hsas.html

4. Protecting Your Food and Water Supplies

   • Food Safety.Gov—Serves as a centralized hub gathering information from various government agencies about how protect your food and water supplies against potential terrorist threats: http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/bioterr.html

   • Red Cross—Information about what kinds of food to store, and how to go about it, in case of disaster: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/food.html

   • Red Cross—Information about storing safe water: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/water.html

   • Food Safety and Inspection Service—Frequently Asked Questions about how to protect food during an emergency: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/pubs/pofeature.htm

   • Important phone numbers regarding food and water safety:

   • FDA Hotline – 301-443-1240

   • USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline- 1-800-535-4555

5. Disaster Planning:
   • Citizen Corps—Government hub to help citizens stay informed and be prepared for threats and/or unexpected events, including terrorist threats: http://www.citizencorps.gov/index.shtm
   • Preparing for the Unexpected: Terrorism—Red Cross planning strategy to help you prepare for future terrorist threats: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/unexpected.html
   • Family Disaster Planning—Red Cross checklist to prepare you and your family in case of disaster: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/familyplan.html

   
   

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