Policy Text
NATIONAL TERRORISM ADVISORY SYSTEM (NTAS)
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/01/05 STANDARD NO. 035 REVISED: 08/14/17
REPLACES: The National Homeland Security Advisory System; Rev. 10/11/11;
OBJECTIVE: As part of a series of initiatives to improve coordination and communication
among all levels of government and the American public in the fight against
terrorism, the United States Department of Homeland Security has created a new
National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS), which replaces the National
Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS). The NTAS is a two-level, terrorism
threat advisory scale that provides alerts “specific to the threat” with “a specified
end date.”
POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department (HPD) to incorporate
elements of the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) as needed.
SCOPE: All employees of this Department shall be governed by the procedures set forth
below.
I. GENERAL:
A. The purpose of National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) is to provide timely, detailed
information about a specific or credible terrorist threat to the public, government
agencies, first responders, airports, and other transportation hubs, and the private
sector. The NTAS recognizes that Americans all share the responsibility for the nation’s
security, and should always be aware of the heightened risk of terrorist attack in the
United States and what they should do.
B. Under NTAS, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will coordinate with other
federal entities to issue detailed alerts to the public when the federal government
receives the information about a credible terrorist threat. NTAS Alerts provide a concise
summary of the potential threat including geographic region, mode of transportation, or
critical infrastructure potentially affected by the threat, actions being taken to endure
public safety, as well as recommended steps that individuals, communities, business
and governments can take to help prevent, mitigate or respond to a threat. NTAS Alerts
will include a clear statement on the nature of the threat, which will be defined in one of
two ways:
1. Elevated Threat: Warns of a credible terrorist threat against the United States
2. Imminent Threat: Warns of a credible, specific, and impending terrorist threat
against the United States.
C. Depending on the nature of the threat, alerts may be sent to law enforcement, distributed
to affected areas of the private sector, or issued more broadly to the public through both
official and social media channels—including a designated DHS webpage
(www.dhs.gov/alerts), Facebook, and via Twitter @NTASAlerts. NTAS alerts and
posters will also be displayed in places such as transit hubs, airports and government
buildings.
National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) – SOP# 035
D. DHS encourages citizens to follow NTAS Alerts for information about threats and take an
active role in security by reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement authorities
through the “If You See Something, Say Something” public awareness campaign.
II. SUNSET PROVISION:
A. NTAS threat alerts will be issued for a specific time period and will automatically expire.
Alerts may be extended if new information becomes available or as a specific threat
evolves. There will not be a constant NTAS Alert or blanket warning that there is an
overarching threat. If threat information changes for an alert, the Secretary of Homeland
Security may announce an updated NTAS Alert. All changes, including the
announcement that cancels an NTAS Alert, will be distributed the same way as the
original alert.