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The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we are,
but in which direction we are moving.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
Terrorist
Threat Level Planning
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has adapted the federal
Homeland Security Advisory System to Los Angeles with its
Terrorism Levels both of which has five levels of alert. The
federal model uses five colors; green, blue, yellow, orange,
and red to differentiate the various threat levels. LAPD Terrorism
Threat Levels adds numbers, one, two, three, four, and five
respectively, to the federal colors.
On February 7, the Office of Homeland Security increased the
threat level to Orange because the government believed that
a high risk of terrorist attack existed somewhere in the United
States. Accordingly, LAPD went on a high level of alert and
advised the public to take the following action:
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Report
suspicious activities at or near critical department facilities
to law enforcement e.g. the Fire Department, Department
of Water and Power and other Civic Center Facilities. |
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Monitor
radio and TV for current information (KFWB 980AM) (KTLA
Ch. 5), (KTTV Ch.11) and CNN. |
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Follow
procedures outlined in Department Emergency Plans. |
The emergency plan
instructs employees to follow LAPD instructions as indicated
above. The plan also directs us to wait for and follow instructions
issued by the Mayor when the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
is activated. The EOC was not activated when the federal government
raised the threat level to orange.
If an evacuation is necessary, in most cases the Fire Department
or LAPD will contact us with complete instructions on what
to do. When the emergency is over, the fire department will
issue an "all clear". At that time you can return to the work
site.
As a reminder, in the event of an emergency during normal
working hours, City employees shall remain at work and may
be assigned duties that can be performed safely to assist
in the emergency response and recovery. The Mayor has sole
authority to order a general release of City employees.
You may find helpful information regarding Sheltering in Place
(choosing a safe place at work or home during an emergency)
on the following web sites:
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http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/DEM/shelter/shelterp.htm
describes how to "Shelter in Place"
http://www.tnema.org/Library/Plans/ModelSIP.pdf
a "Model Shelter in Place" (see below)
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