First Responder
Guidelines
GOVERNMENT AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES
FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATE OF VERMONT
HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISORY SYSTEM
RED
SEVERE
SEVERE
RISK OF TERRORIST ATTACKS |
ORANGE
HIGH
HIGH
RISK OF
TERRORIST
ATTACKS |
YELLOW
ELEVATED
SIGNIFICANT
RISK OF
TERRORIST
ATTACKS |
BLUE
GUARDED
GENERAL
RISK OF
TERRORIST
ATTACKS |
GREEN
LOW
LOW
RISK OF TERRORIST ATTACKS |
PURPOSE
The State of Vermont Homeland Security Threat
Advisory System provides a comprehensive and effective means
to disseminate information regarding the risk of terrorist acts
to state and local government agencies and Vermont’s critical
infrastructure. This system provides a set of warnings in the
form of graduated Threat Conditions that will increase as the
risk of the threat increases. At each Threat Condition, state
agencies and critical infrastructure should implement a corresponding
set of Protective Measures to reduce their vulnerability or
increase response capability during a period of heightened alert.
 This
system should be used as a guide to assist units of government
and critical infrastructure in initiating a set of standardized
actions as the result of increased terrorist threat levels within
the United States or within the state of Vermont. These recommendations
have been developed in a generic format to allow state/local
government agencies and critical infrastructure to develop specific
implementation procedures appropriate for the size and complexity
of their jurisdiction.
Examples of Vermont’s
‘critical infrastructure’ that might be target of
a terrorist attack include:
-
Electrical energy (generation/switching/load
dispatch)
-
Emergency services (emergency operations
centers, fire, law enforcement, medical)
-
Gas and Oil Storage facilities
-
Telecommunications (911 centers, critical
tower sites, telephone and communication infrastructure)
-
Transportation (terminal/bridges etc.)
-
Water (distribution and treatment plants)
-
Financial Institutions
-
Government buildings
-
Media (radio and television transmission sites,
Emergency Alert System activation points)
-
Office buildings (multi-national corporations)
-
Religious institutions
-
Retail/Public areas/Hotels/Conference centers
-
Public/Private education centers
VERMONT HOMELAND SECURITY THREAT ADVISORY
SYSTEM
The Vermont Homeland Security Threat Advisory
System mirrors the current United States Homeland Security Threat
Advisory System. There are five threat conditions, each identified
by a description and a corresponding color. From lowest to highest,
the threat levels and corresponding colors are:
Low = Green
Guarded = Blue
Elevated = Yellow
High = Orange
Severe = Red
THREAT EVALUATION
The decision on which Threat Condition to assign
shall integrate a variety of considerations. Despite best efforts,
there can be no guarantee that, at any given Threat Condition,
a terrorist attack will not occur. An initial and important
factor is the quality of the threat information itself. The
evaluation of this threat information shall include, but will
not be limited to, the following factors:
1. To what degree is the threat information credible?
2. To what degree is the threat information corroborated?
3. To what degree is the threat information specific and/or imminent?
4. How grave are the potential consequences of the threat?
It is important to note that depending on the
specificity of the threat information, different parts of the
country or even different parts of the state of Vermont may
be assigned different threat levels.
THREAT ADVISORY
COMMUNICATION
The United States Department of Homeland Security
in conjunction with the United States Department of Justice
will evaluate relevant international and national terrorist
threat information and will designate a national threat level.
This threat level designation will be transmitted to the state
of Vermont via the National Warning System (NAWAS) and the National
Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems (NLETS).
It will be the responsibility of the Vermont Department
of Public Safety Homeland Security Unit to ensure that all state/local
government agencies, critical infrastructure, emergency first
responders and the citizens of Vermont are informed of the current
national threat level designation. This process will take place
using a variety of formats which may include but are not limited
to: the Vermont Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (VLETS),
the Emergency Alert System (EAS), the Department of Public Safety
Homeland Security Unit First Responder E-Mail Groups, mass facsimile,
Vermont homeland security web-site posting and conventional
media sources.
THREAT
CONDITION
GREEN - LOW |
Low Risk of Terrorist Attacks within
the State of Vermont
INITIATING EVENT
Normal operating conditions.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTIONS:
-
Refining and exercising preplanned protective
measures
-
Ensuring personnel receive training on Vermont’s
Homeland Security Advisory System, departmental or agency
specific protective measures
-
Regularly assessing facility vulnerabilities
and taking measures to reduce them.
VERMONT HOMELAND SECURITY ACTIONS
-
Regular operations with 24 hour communication
capability at Department of Public Safety Headquarters, agency
duty officers for Vermont State Police and Vermont Emergency
Management
-
Disseminate threat level advisory as appropriate
-
Issue weekly intelligence update to first
responders
-
Monitor VSP Terrorism Hotline
STATE/LOCAL GOVERNMENT & CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE ACTIONS
-
Disseminate GREEN advisory to agency personnel
-
Report suspicious circumstances/individuals
to law enforcement agencies
-
Routine agency operations
-
Continue to include responder safety and
common sense practices in daily routines
THREAT
CONDITION
BLUE - GUARDED |
General Risk of Terrorist Attack within
the State of Vermont
INITIATING EVENT
Received threats that do not warrant actions beyond
normal liaison notifications or by placing assets or resources
on a heightened alert (agencies are operating under normal day
to day operations)
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
-
Checking communications with designated emergency
response or command locations
-
Reviewing and updating emergency response
procedures
-
Provide the public with necessary threat
level information
VERMONT HOMELAND SECURITY ACTIONS
-
Regular operations with 24 hour communications
capability at Department of Public Safety Headquarters, agency
duty officers for Vermont State Police and Vermont Emergency
Management
-
Disseminate threat level advisory as appropriate
-
Issue weekly intelligence update to first
responders
-
Monitor VSP Terrorism Hotline
STATE/LOCAL GOVERNMENT & CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE ACTIONS
-
Disseminate BLUE advisory to agency personnel
-
Continue or introduce all measures listed
in threat condition GREEN advisory
-
Conduct a briefing for EOC staff, emergency
response personnel and government officials as needed or required
-
Review all applicable emergency response plans
-
Implement appropriate security plans within
jurisdictions
-
Dispatch centers should prohibit unauthorized
access to communication facilities
-
Ensure all government and private vehicles
parked in agency parking lots are secured
-
Review and update public and private critical
infrastructure target listing where appropriate
-
Check all equipment for response readiness
-
Brief emergency response personnel on increased
security and safety concerns
-
Monitor and test all communications equipment
-
Brief Public Information Officers on current
Threat Level and appropriate protective measures
-
Assess mail handling procedures
-
Be alert and report all suspicious activity
to the appropriate law enforcement agency
THREAT
CONDITION
YELLOW - ELEVATED |
Significant Risk of Terrorist Attack within the State
of Vermont
INITIATING EVENT
Intelligence gathered or an articulated threat
indicates a potential for a terrorist incident. However, this
threat has not been assessed as credible.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
-
Increased surveillance of critical areas
-
Coordinating emergency plans with related
agencies
-
Assessing further refinement of protective
measures within the context of the current threat information
-
Implementing, as appropriate, contingency
plans and emergency response plans
VERMONT HOMELAND SECURITY ACTIONS
-
Regular operations with 24 communications
capability at Department of Public Safety Headquarters, agency
duty officers for Vermont State Police and Vermont Emergency
Management
-
Disseminate threat level advisory as appropriate
-
Issue weekly intelligence update to first
responders
-
Monitor VSP Terrorism Hotline
STATE/LOCAL GOVERNMENT & CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE ACTIONS
-
Weekly briefings to state agency liaison
officers as appropriate
-
Disseminate YELLOW advisory to agency personnel
-
Continue to introduce all measures listed
in BLUE advisory
-
Implement critical infrastructure security
plans
-
Brief and stress information and operational
security issues to first responders and government officials
-
Consider alternative work schedules to maximize
operational readiness
-
Check all equipment for operational readiness
-
Ensure safe mail handling procedures are in
place and functioning properly
-
Check recall rosters for accuracy
-
Identify any planned community events where
a large attendance is anticipated. Ensure appropriate contingency
and security plans are in place
-
Review critical infrastructure contingency
plans
-
Check inventories of critical supplies
-
Be alert to suspicious activities and report
to law enforcement agencies
SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS / CONSIDERATIONS
-
Remind all personnel to maintain heightened
alert and maintain awareness of people, vehicles and activities
-
Increase spot checks of specific high risk
targets
-
Do not leave emergency response vehicles unattended.
-
Move vehicles and objects away from sensitive
area locations
-
Lock and regularly inspect all storage areas
-
Regularly inspect exterior and interior of
buildings for suspicious packages
-
Check all deliveries to facilities
THREAT
CONDITION
ORANGE - HIGH |
High Risk of Terrorist Attack within the State of Vermont
INITIATING EVENT
A threat assessment indicates that the potential
threat is credible, and confirms the involvement of Weapons
of Mass Destruction in the developing terrorist incident.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
-
Crisis management response will focus on
law enforcement actions taken in the interest of public safety
and welfare, and is predominantly concerned with preventing
and resolving the threat
-
Consequence management response will focus
on contingency planning and pre-positioning of tailored resources,
as required
VERMONT HOMELAND SECURITY ACTIONS
-
Regular operations with 24 hour communications
capability at Department of Public Safety Headquarters, agency
duty officers for Vermont State Police and Vermont Emergency
Management
-
Open Vermont Emergency Operations Center (as
appropriate)
-
Disseminate threat level advisory (as appropriate)
-
Issue daily intelligence updates to first
responders (as appropriate)
-
Issue media/press releases re: Vermont homeland
security operations (as appropriate)
-
Monitor VSP Terrorism Hotline
STATE/LOCAL GOVERNMENT & CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE ACTIONS
-
Daily briefings to EOC by government agency
liaison officers (as appropriate)
-
Disseminate ORANGE advisory to agency personnel
-
Continue to introduce all measures listed
in the YELLOW advisory
-
Place all emergency management and special
response teams on standby (as appropriate)
-
Implement critical infrastructure security
plans
-
Contact all personnel to determine their recall
availability
-
Advise staff of contingency plans for shift
modifications
-
Activate regional EOCs as appropriate
-
Test communication and alert warning systems
-
Ensure PPE (personal protective equipment)
is operational
-
Suspend public tours of critical infrastructure
facilities
-
Limit access to controlled facilities
-
Increase staffing to monitor computer networks
-
Identify any planned community events where
large attendance is anticipated. Ensure contingency plans
are in place and heightened security measures are mandated.
-
Contact high profile individuals and possible
targets to discuss heightened alert status
-
Check all equipment for operational readiness
-
Consider off-site mail handling procedures
-
Check inventories for critical response resources
-
Be alert to suspicious activities and report
them to local law enforcement
SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS / CONSIDERATIONS
-
At the beginning and the end of each work
shift, as well at other regular and frequent intervals, inspect
the interior and exterior of buildings in regular use for
suspicious packages
-
Limit access points to critical infrastructure
facilities to the absolute minimum, and strictly enforce entry
control procedures
-
Enforce parking of vehicles away from sensitive
areas
-
Increase security patrols around key government
buildings, high vulnerability sites and critical infrastructure
areas
-
Erect barriers and obstacles to control flow
of traffic (as appropriate)
-
Keep critical response vehicles in secure
area or in an indoor facility
-
Increase defensive perimeters around key
structures and events
-
Increase building security procedures
THREAT
CONDITION
RED - SEVERE |
Severe Risk of Terrorist Attack within the State of Vermont
INITIATING EVENT
A Weapons of Mass destruction incident has occurred
which requires an immediate process to identify, acquire and
plan the use of federal resources to augment state and local
authorities in response to limited or major consequences of
a terrorist use or employment of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
• Response is primarily directed toward
public safety and welfare and the preservation of human life
including:
1. assigning emergency response personnel and
pre-positioning of specially trained teams
2. monitoring, redirecting or constraining transportation systems
3. closing of public and government facilities
4. increasing or redirecting personnel to address critical emergency
needs
VERMONT HOMELAND SECURITY ACTIONS
-
Disseminate threat advisory (as appropriate)
-
Issue press/media releases (as appropriate)
-
Issue intelligence updates to first responders
-
Open Vermont EOC (as appropriate)
STATE/LOCAL GOVERNMENT & CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE ACTIONS
-
Daily briefings to Vermont EOC by government
agency liaisons (as appropriate)
-
Disseminate RED advisory to agency personnel
-
Staff EOC/Command Post locations on a 24 hour
basis (as appropriate)
-
Maintain and monitor communications and warning
systems and provide status checks to higher government agencies
-
Implement appropriate staff recall
-
If not already in place, implement infrastructure
security plans
-
Consider releasing non-critical personnel
-
Brief all EOC, government personnel and first
responders on facility evacuation routes and contingency communications
plans. Provide guidance on types of equipment to take in case
of site evacuation.
-
Ensure welfare checks of personnel and facilities
-
Activate or place on high alert, all special
response teams
-
Increase security at water systems and increase
testing of systems
-
Maintain communications with and provide
security for hospitals and critical medical facilities
-
Stress the possibility of a secondary attack
SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS / CONSIDERATIONS
-
Make positive identification of all vehicles
located or operating within operational or mission support
areas
-
Implement parking restrictions
-
Control access and implement positive identification
of all personnel
-
Search all baggage brought into critical
facilities
-
Secure all doors to communication systems,
command centers and data processing centers.
-
Increase defensive perimeters, including manpower
around critical facilities.
-
Consider 24 hour security measures at all
critical sites
-
Control deliveries to all critical sites by
only accepting packages/ deliveries approved by shift supervisors
If you have any questions
or require more information reference the State of Vermont Homeland
Security Advisory System, please contact the Department of Public
Safety Homeland Security Unit at 802.241.5095. Developed by the Vermont Department of Public Safety
Homeland Security Unit.
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