MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- To help improve communication between all levels of government and the American public in the fight against terrorism, the Office of Homeland Security has devised a system to help collaborate and distribute information regarding to the risk of terrorist attacks.
According to the Homeland Security website, with the signing of the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 3, President George W. Bush helped to create the Homeland Security Advisory System. The new system designates five distinctly colored Threat Conditions which help to characterize the risk of a terrorist attack.
The goal of the HSAS is to provide a national framework for the alert systems of the transportation, defense, agricultural and other sectors of our society to help communicate the nature and degree of terrorist threats.
The five Threat Conditions also provide suggested Protective Measures to be taken by government and private sectors to reduce the vulnerability of individuals and installations.
In an effort to be consistent with the Homeland Security color codes in the United States, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni recently implemented new color codes to be used during emergencies or disasters.
"In the event of an emergency we post the Threat Conditions and precautions to take on Channels 7, 8 and 9 and give repeated updates over AM 1575," said Gunnery Sgt. Kyle Olson, American Forces Network Iwakuni, station manager.
The timing of the change came shortly before the Station conducted a counter chemical warfare training exercise here Wednesday.
"The whole purpose of what we are doing is safety," said Joe Shines, Emergency management officer, "and making sure everyone knows what's going on in case of a disaster."
Application of the new Threat Conditions will be the responsibility of the Attorney General along with the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and may be applied nationally, regionally or specifically for a potential target.
Credibility and severity are just two of the factors which would be taken into consideration to assess a threat.
All residents aboard the Station should understand what the colors stand for so they can know what steps to take, what to do, and where to be during an evacuation or disaster, noted Shines.
"The new system covers everything from an accidental chemical spill to a full blown terrorist attack," said Shines. "It's important everyone gets on the same sheet of music, learns the new colors, and stays tuned to AM 1575 and Channel 5 for instructions."