Mississippi Security Measures

Level orange is how Gov. Ronnie Musgrove describes Mississippi's alert status. At this level he says he has the power to use resources from all agencies to protect citizens.

"The FBI has set up a 24-hour command center in Jackson. Mississippi Emergency Management already has a 24 hour headquarters in place," said Gov. Musgrove.

So far, Governor Musgrove says about 50 National Guardsmen and women have been sent to protect all state ports and the nuclear power plant in Port Gibson.

With military bases throughout the state on heightened alert, here in the Queen City officials at Naval Air Station Meridian were unavailable for comment.

Meanwhile, officials at the GV Sonny Montgomery National Guard Complex say the alert status there has been heightened to "Force Protection Condition Bravo."

"At Bravo we do things like identification checks, random searches of vehicles, barriers are in place. Anything for general security is strictly enforced," said Lt. Col. Randy Pope with the 186th Air National Guard.

In terms of individuals traveling onto the complex, officials had this to say.

"Generally, if they come on the complex they should comply by having their identification and complying with the soldiers," said Lt. Jacqueline Moreno with the Army National Guard.

Although Mississippi is not high on the priority list in terms of a possible attack, Gov. Musgrove says the state is ready! In fact, he says after September 11, 2001 Mississippi was one of the first states in the nation to implement incident command procedures. Basically, this means that all emergency response officials now use the same language and technology.

"So, we're working in coordination with communities throughout Mississippi. So, during this time of crisis we'll be ready. We'll be prepared and will protect our people," said Musgrove.

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Threat Conditions and Associated Protective Measures

The world has changed since September 11, 2001. We remain a Nation at risk to terrorist attacks and will remain at risk for the foreseeable future. At all Threat Conditions, we must remain vigilant, prepared, and ready to deter terrorist attacks. The following Threat Conditions each represent an increasing risk of terrorist attacks. Beneath each Threat Condition are some suggested Protective Measures, recognizing that the heads of Federal departments and agencies are responsible for developing and implementing appropriate agency-specific Protective Measures:

Low Condition (Green)
This condition is declared when there is a low risk of terrorist attacks. Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures they develop and implement:

Refining and exercising as appropriate preplanned Protective Measures;

Ensuring personnel receive proper training on the Homeland Security Advisory System and specific preplanned department or agency Protective Measures; and

Institutionalizing a process to assure that all facilities and regulated sectors are regularly assessed for vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks, and all reasonable measures are taken to mitigate these vulnerabilities.

Guarded Condition (Blue)
This condition is declared when there is a general risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Condition, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:

Checking communications with designated emergency response or command locations;

Reviewing and updating emergency response procedures; and

Providing the public with any information that would strengthen its ability to act appropriately.

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.

High Condition (Orange)
A High Condition is declared when there is a high 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 agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:

Coordinating necessary security efforts with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies or any National Guard or other appropriate armed forces organizations;

Taking additional precautions at public events and possibly considering alternative venues or even cancellation;

Preparing to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an alternate site or dispersing their workforce; and

Restricting threatened facility access to essential personnel only.

Severe Condition (Red)
A Severe Condition reflects a severe risk of terrorist attacks. Under most circumstances, the Protective Measures for a Severe Condition are not intended to be sustained for substantial periods of time. In addition to the Protective Measures in the previous Threat Conditions, Federal departments and agencies also should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:

Increasing or redirecting personnel to address critical emergency needs;

Assigning emergency response personnel and pre-positioning and mobilizing specially trained teams or resources;

Monitoring, redirecting, or constraining transportation systems; and

Closing public and government facilities.

Source: www.whitehouse.gov (The White House Web site) contributed to this report.