(Washington, DC) US Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced yesterday, December 21, that the US government had raised the national threat level from an elevated to high risk of terrorist attack–or from Code Yellow to Code Orange. In response, the District of Columbia Emergency Management Agency is conducting a series of activities to ensure that it is prepared to respond if the need occurs.
Barbara Childs-Pair, DCEMA acting director, said the agency is going down its standard checklist to ensure that it is ready to respond if necessary.
“We are checking our mobile vans and our alternate sites to be sure that all equipment is operational, ” she said. “We have tested our internal agency notification system and put our staff on alert–meaning they should be prepared to respond to their duty stations at the Reeves Center, if necessary. We have also alerted our emergency liaison officers (ELOs) to be prepared to respond to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the event we need to activate and augment. This includes our departments of health, transportation and public works, which along with the police and fire departments constitute what we call ‘the big five,’ our first line of defense.”
Mrs. Childs-Pair said the agency is also reviewing all of its emergency plans and is in hourly contact with the city’s police and fire departments. “We are also in contact with our regional partners in Maryland and Virginia, as well as with the Metro Transit Authority (WMATA); the utility companies – Pepco, Washington Gas and the Water and Sewer Authority (WASA); and the US Capitol Police and US Park Police,” she added.
Mrs. Childs-Pair said citizens should not be unduly alarmed about the rise in the threat advisory level, but should remain vigilant and be aware of their surroundings. “We are advising citizens to call (202) 727-9099 to report suspicious packages, devices, unattended briefcases or other unusual materials immediately. They should not attempt to move any such objects. They should also report suspicious vehicles and or erratic behavior of its occupants,” she said.
In addition, citizens should make sure they have a family emergency plan and an emergency go-kit with emergency supplies. They should also keep family members apprised of their whereabouts and make sure they have established an emergency contact telephone number, preferably outside of the area, that family members can call if they are separated.
“Preparedness begins at home,” said Mrs. Childs-Pair. “We are asking all citizens to ensure that they have a safe and happy holiday by taking steps to prepare for any emergency.”
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