[W1SMH] Homeland Security Status Change and EMA ARES

Tue, 10 Sep 2002 21:30:54 -0400

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Martin L. Pyne, KB1DRL
SMHARC Emcom Team

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN [mailto:[email protected]] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 2:35 PM
To: Mass RAS General
Cc: Tom Kinahan; Phil Temples
Subject: [mras_general] Homeland Security Status Change and EMA ARES

*****  Homeland Defense Condition Raised to Orange (High)  *****
****  ARES Personnel asked to Increase Personal Preparedness  ****

Hello to all.

A news conference just concluded given by U.S. Attorney General
Ashcroft, and Governor Tom Ridge, head of the new Homeland Security
Agency.

The subject of the news conference was the raising of the national
threat level from YELLOW (Moderate), to ORANGE (High).  The action has
been officially communicated to federal, state, and local government
officials, and important civilian organizations.  This action is
unprecedented since the inception of the system last March.

The action is reported by these gentlemen to be in response to specific
creditable intelligence that an attack is imminent, probably overseas.
It appears from their comments that there is a concern of an additional
reaction here at home during the remembrance activities that will
dominate tomorrow.  It is important to note however, that AG Ashcroft
stated that if an attack were imminent in the U.S., the alert rating
would have been raised to RED (Severe) level.  He is instead calling for
"defiant vigilance" for Americans at home and he is NOT recommending any
special actions or canceling of your work and/or personal plans.
Federal offices will be open as usual tomorrow, and the markets after a
long scheduled memorial service is concluded.

In response to this action and information, no additional action is
planned for EMA ARES at this time.  Please, however, watch the
developments with Gustav, and respond to SKYWARN DEC Macedo, KD1CY if he
deems action is necessary.  ARES response to Gustav is also not
anticipated at this time.

I am asking that all ARES members increase their personal readiness in
the wake of the Homeland Security warning change.  These include, but
are not limited to, these immediate actions:

	Carry a H/T with you at all times unless you deem it
inappropriate based on what you are doing at the moment.  I would like
you to do this starting tomorrow.
	Check your mobile radio systems for readiness.  Please check
into any net in the next few days to make sure you are "getting out",
especially if you have not used your systems recently.
	Ditto for your home system, but please check your emergency
power system. Revitalize, upgrade, and repair as necessary as soon as
you can.  To that end, I am asking all check in's at this month's ARES
net to do so on "emergency power".
	Review family response plans.  The more prepared you and your
families are, the more you may be able to contribute to an eventual ARES
effort.

These and other actions will appear in forthcoming changes to our
operational plan.  All of your leadership stand ready to advise you on
ways to respond if you so desire.  Please don't hesitate to ask any of
us!

I wish you a calm and productive day for all of you tomorrow, and the
best from my family to yours.

73,

Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
Section Emergency Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts Section
Pager: 1-800-759-8888 PIN 1155084
Admin: w1mpn (symbol for at) arrl.net
978-562-5662 Primary/Voice Mail
978-389-0558 FAX/ EFax Voice Mail

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