HOMELAND DEFENSE

"Today, we are safer, but we are not yet safe... On 9/11, our nation saw the face of evil. Yet on that awful day, we also witnessed something distinctly American: ordinary citizens rising to the occasion, and responding with extraordinary acts of courage... On this day, we remember the innocent who lost their lives -- and we pay tribute to those who gave their lives so that others might live... We also honor those who toil day and night to keep our homeland safe, and we are giving them the tools they need to protect our people." - President's Address to the Nation, 9/11/06.

Photo By Bill Koplitz/FEMA

Heroes Remembered Five years have now passed since the worst terrorist attack in this nation's history. It is a time to remember those who lost their lives, their Families, and all those who still suffer the effects of the events of that day. Click Here for more information.

Elevated Condition (Yellow) An Elevated Condition is declared when there is a significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the Protective Measures that they will develop and implement: Increasing surveillance of critical locations; Coordinating emergency plans as appropriate with nearby jurisdictions; Assessing whether the precise characteristics of the threat require the further refinement of preplanned Protective Measures; and Implementing, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans.

A Family Guide for Emergency Response Be Prepared. Be Alert. Be Smart. Disaster preparedness involves many aspects of readiness. Discussed on this page are items to think about in order to be tactically, physically, spiritually and legally prepared for an emergency situation.			Coping with an Attack, A Quick Guide to Dealing with Biological, Chemical and "Dirty Bomb" Attacks A colorful, easy-to-read poster that consists of simple matrices describing immediate actions to take in case of a biological, chemical, or "dirty bomb" attack, plus answers to frequently asked questions. Full Color Poster (pdf - 256KB) B&W Legal Size (pdf - 489KB)
The Myth of Posse Comitatus The Posse Comitatus Act has been traditionally viewed as a major barrier to the use of U.S. military forces in planning for homeland defense.			Citizen Defenders - National Guardsmen and Army Reservists The mission of Homeland Defense for the Army National Guard is not a new mission.
American Red Cross Homeland Security Advisory System Recommendations The American Red Cross developed a complementary set of guidelines for individuals, Families, neighborhoods, schools, and businesses.			Which Government Agencies are Responsible? After the September 11 tragedies, many federal government agencies are tasked with aggressively reasserting their role in upholding homeland defense.
Anthrax Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Visit our anthrax information pages to learn more about this national security threat.			USDA Announces New Food Safety and Security Guidelines for Consumers Who do you call to report possible food tampering? How can you minimize the chance of foodborne illness? Find out in the USDA's new publication, Food Safety and Food Security: What Consumers Need to Know.
Other Homeland Defense Links Links to useful websites and resources for Homeland Defense.