New Two-Level Terror Alert System Will Make Widespread Panic Less Nuanced, Colorful

by Alex Alvarez | 12:47 pm, April 26th, 2011

» 7 comments

Gone is the terror alert chart presenting a rainbow of colorful options for determining how alternately nervous and annoyed one should get at airports. In lieu of the older system – in place since the terror attacks on September 11 – the Department of Homeland Security is introducing a simpler, two-level alert system, which it will announce in New York City’s Grand Central Station and put into effect next week.

So it’s out with “orange,” in with “elevated” or “imminent.” Here’s how the Department is describing the new levels:

Elevated: Warns of a credible terrorist threat against the United States

Imminent: Warns of a credible, specific, and impending terrorist threat against the United States.

The alerts will also be sent to law enforcement officials or specific, affected areas when applicable:

These alerts will include a clear statement that there is an imminent threat or elevated threat. Using available information, the alerts will provide a concise summary of the potential threat, information about actions being taken to ensure public safety, and recommended steps that individuals, communities, businesses and governments can take to help prevent, mitigate or respond to the threat.

The NTAS Alerts will be based on the nature of the threat: in some cases, alerts will be sent directly to law enforcement or affected areas of the private sector, while in others, alerts will be issued more broadly to the American people through both official and media channels.

In addition to being issued through television and the Department’s homepage, the alerts will also be available through email (for those who sign up) as well as through Facebook and Twitter.

h/t USA Today

Department of Homeland Security, Terror Alert, Terrorism

X-3

As a former COOP Coordinator (look up FCD-1) for an agency of the Federal government, the warning levels implemented by Tom Ridge were confusing to some. I kind of like a two-level system but the names are wrong. They should be:

“Everything is OK.”

and

“Time to kiss your ass goodbye.”
More Liberty5

More stupidity by the federal government.
TucsonTerpFan

X-3, I like your take on this, but I think the should simply be:

Dead!

Not dead!
Prom Night Dumpster Baby

“Be careful”

or

“It’s on and poppin’”
X-3

TucsonTerpFan said:
X-3, I like your take on this, but I think the should simply be: Dead! Not dead!

Prom Night Dumpster Baby said:
“Be careful” or “It’s on and poppin’”

Hey, I’m a reasonable guy–BOTH of these work for me.

On a more serious note, I appreciate the fact that Tom Ridge was sent in to do something that had never been done before, but G W Bush made an error in his choice of Ridge. Tom Ridge built what I used to refer to as a “mud fence”–massive but not well thought out. Chertoff was the right choice. Napolitano is a joke.

I was very displeased with the fact that border security was not improved–even under Chertoff–but I knew when -0bama was elected, it would get worse. It has: I believe I read somewhere that 35,000 people were murdered by the drug cartels last year.

My tenure ended in November 2008.
Barack Must Go

X-3 said:
Hey, I’m a reasonable guy–BOTH of these work for me.

On a more serious note, I appreciate the fact that Tom Ridge was sent in to do something that had never been done before, but G W Bush made an error in his choice of Ridge. Tom Ridge built what I used to refer to as a “mud fence”–massive but not well thought out. Chertoff was the right choice. Napolitano is a joke.

I was very displeased with the fact that border security was not improved–even under Chertoff–but I knew when -0bama was elected, it would get worse. It has: I believe I read somewhere that 35,000 people were murdered by the drug cartels last year.

My tenure ended in November 2008.

Unfortunately, like the alleged president himsef along with his entire administration Napolitano is a joke…..with us ” real ” American people as her / their punchline ( punching bags ).
X-3

Barack Must Go said:
Unfortunately, like the alleged president himsef along with his entire administration Napolitano is a joke

You’ll get no argument from me. Last estimate I heard (from a reliable source–not what you’d read in the San Francisco Chronicle–there is an estimated 31 MILLION criminal aliens in the US. Most of these have slipped across the border in AZ. Among the criminal aliens are ~1000 Hamas operatives. Guess what they’re up to???