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Threats & Emergencies  

Terrorism

Terrorism Home • Terrorism Basics • VDEM Terrorism Toolkit

Terrorism Basics

Types of Terrorism

• Cyber-terrorism: One way for terrorists to damage our economy is to hack into businesses' networks to destroy vital documents, shut down e-mail communications or any other computer-driven communications systems.
• Chemical biological radiological: The anthrax attacks in 2001 showed the nation that terrorists can use the postal system to deliver deadly toxins right to our mailboxes.
• Explosive devices: Car bombs in Oklahoma City, the World Trade Center and around the world are the most prevalent weapon in the terrorists' arsenal.

Find more detailed information on types of terrorism in VDEM's Terrorism Preparedness Toolkit.

Threat Advisory System

Low condition (Green) Low risk of terrorism. Routine security is implemented to preclude routine criminal threats.

Guarded condition (Blue) General Risk with no credible threats to specific targets.

Elevated condition (Yellow) Elevated risk of terrorist attack but a specific region of the USA or target has not been identified.

High condition (Orange) Credible intelligence indicates that there is a high risk of a local terrorist attack but a specific target has not been identified.

Severe condition (Red) A terrorist attack has occurred or credible and corroborated intelligence indicates that one is imminent. Normally, this threat condition is declared for a specific location or critical facility.

Find more detailed information on the threat advisory system in VDEM's Terrorism Preparedness Toolkit.