VERMONT HOMELAND SECURITY UNIT

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.

This page last updated January 27, 2009 | E-Mail Webmaster | Vermont Homeland Security - 802.241.5527 - FAX 802.241.5349