Department of Homeland Security Threat Levels
The 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. prompted the United States government to prepare for future attacks. The now familiar, color-coded threat level chart is one part of the homeland security strategy.
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Origins
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Following the attacks, President George W. Bush appointed then Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge to the newly created post of assistant to the president for homeland security, and later, the first secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). On March 11, 2002, Ridge unveiled Presidential Homeland Security Directive 3, with the chart as its centerpiece.
Threat Chart
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Each color level corresponds to the DHS estimate of the current risk and potential severity of an attack, and recommends preparedness measures. In addition to a general threat level for the country DHS can also set threat levels for specific agencies and localities. For example, on Sept. 30, 2010, the country was under threat level "yellow," while international flights were under threat level "orange." Executive branch agencies must take the preparedness measures and other mandates associated with the current threat level.
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Threat Levels
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The homeland advisory system includes five levels: red/severe risk, orange/high risk, yellow/elevated risk, blue/guarded and green/low risk. According to the DHS, the threat risk has not been below "yellow" since September 2010.
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References
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Homeland Security Advisory System
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Homeland Security Presidential Directive 3
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Chronology of Changes to the Homeland Security Advisory System
- Ridge Global: The Honorable Thomas J. Ridge biography
Resources
- Photo Credit War on terrorism image by steven Husk from Fotolia.com
