Office of Emergency Management

Homeland Security Advisory System

threat

The U.S. Homeland Security Office has established criteria for terrorism alert levels. The chart below indicates how these federal levels correspond to Metro's OPCON levels, or conditions that determine the city's readiness and response to a community emergency.

The Homeland Security Advisory System provides a framework for the Attorney General, in consultation with the director of the Office of Homeland Security, to assign threat conditions that can apply nationally, regionally, by sector, or to a potential target. Cabinet secretaries and other members of the Homeland Security Council will be consulted as appropriate. Here are some factors that are used to assess a threat:

  • Is the threat credible?
  • Is the threat corroborated?
  • Is the threat specific and/or imminent?
  • How grave is the threat?

Homeland Security Advisory System Corresponding OPCON levels

OPCON 1
 

Low risk of terrorist attacks. The following Protective Measures may be applied:

  • Refining and exercising preplanned Protective Measures
  • Ensuring personnel receive training on departmental, or agency-specific protective measures, and response plans; and
  • Regularly assessing facilities for vulnerabilities and taking measures to reduce them.
Low Condition
Green
OPCON 2
 

General risk of terrorist attack. In addition to the previously outlined protective measures, the following may be applied:

  • Checking communications with designated emergency response or command locations;
  • Reviewing and updating emergency response procedures; and
  • Providing the public with necessary information.
Guarded Condition
Blue
OPCON 3
 

Significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:

  • Increasing surveillance of critical locations;
  • Coordinating emergency plans with nearby jurisdictions;
  • Assessing further refinement of Protective Measures within the context of the current threat information; and
  • Implementing, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans.
Elevated Condition
Yellow
OPCON 4
 

High risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:

  • Activate Situation Management Team to access needs for further specific actions
  • Activate EOC for intensive assessment and multi-departmental coordination
  • Coordinating necessary security efforts with armed forces or law enforcement agencies;
  • Taking additional precautions at public events;
  • Preparing to work at an alternate site or with a dispersed workforce; and
  • Restricting access to essential personnel only.
High Condition
Orange
OPCON 5+
 

Severe risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:

  • Assigning emergency response personnel and pre-positioning specially trained teams; Monitoring, redirecting or constraining transportation systems;
  • Closing public and government facilities; and
  • Increasing or redirecting personnel to address critical emergency needs.
Severe Condition
Red