What is “Homeland Security” and “What can the average citizen do to enhance Homeland Security in their community?” These questions are both valid and important to all Wauconda residents. Homeland Security is a collaborative effort of many different local, state and national agencies to provide a safer environment for Americans and maintain the ability to protect against terrorism and prepare response to terrorist acts.
Homeland Security begins at home, a concept embraced by the Illinois Terrorism Task Force. Wauconda families are no different than families across the country who, hope to enjoy another safe holiday season free from ominous thoughts regarding terrorist activities. President Bush issued Homeland Security Directive 3 in March of 2002. Directive 3 establishes five threat conditions for risk of terrorist attack, as follows: green=low risk; blue=guarded; yellow=elevated; orange=high; and red=severe. These threat levels and how to respond to them are explained in detail on the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) web site at www.state.il.us/iema/.
Responding to each of these levels starts with a good family or home plan. A good family emergency preparedness plan is an integral step in interest of Homeland Security. These plans should include: preparing disaster supplies; what to do for emergency communications; being alert to suspicious activity; reporting suspicious activity to your local police; being alert to school policies on emergency plans; alternate travel routes to and from work, school and medical facilities; speaking with children about their fears regarding possible attacks; donate blood as needed; knowing proper public address TV/radio stations for current information.
Agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Illinois Department of Public Health publish brochures like “Terrorism: Preparing for the Unexpected” and “Surviving Disasters – A Citizen’s Emergency Handbook.” These are available for download on each agency web site, www.redcross.org and www.idph.state.il.us/pdf/SurvivingDisasters.pdf , respectively. These are both excellent resources to aid in planning for the possibility of a terrorist attack. The IEMA web site also has many links to information regarding suspicious letters/packages, guides for handling a telephone threat, guides regarding severe weather and even a kids page with games to help them understand preparation.
Please be part of the solution Homeland Security attempts to provide for possible terrorist activities. Ideas mentioned here are a start, as well as checking some of the web sites mentioned here. Wauconda Police Department features the “Family Emergency Preparedness Plan” on their web site, available for downloading, or in the lobby of the station as well.
