Homeland Security Advisory System The Homeland Security Advisory System was established in 2002 for the purpose of providing “…a comprehensive and effective means to disseminate information regarding the risk of terrorist attacks to Federal , State and local authorities, and to the American people.” The HSAS is a color-coded system of identifying the risk of terrorist threats. The Partnership for Public Warning has provided recommendations on the HSAS and continues to monitor its effectiveness. On April 25, 2002, PPW provided comments to the Director of the FBI on the proposed Homeland Security Advisory System. In June 2002 the Partnership convened a four day workshop of emergency management experts from government and industry. The final report of this workshop, with recommendations, was provided to Governor Tom Ridge, Director, Office of Homeland Security. In November 2003, PPW initiated a request for public comments on the operation and effectiveness of the Homeland Security Advisory System. These comments were provided to the Department of Homeland Security on December 30, 2003. On February 26, 2004, the General Accounting Office released a report entitled “Homeland Security Advisory System: Preliminary Observations Regarding Threat Level Increases from Yellow to Orange.” On March 16, 2004, the House Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations held a hearing on the Homeland Security Advisory System. The Partnership for Public Warning presented testimony at this hearing. In June 2004 the U.S. General Accounting Office issued a report on the Homeland Security Advisory System entitled “Homeland Security: Communication Protocols and Risk Communication Principles Can Assist in Refining the Advisory System”.

Last Updated: July 13, 2004