Homeland Security Advisory System
Please check this Web page for periodic updates and instructions in case of a situation that threatens the campus. At this time, there is no information to indicate that the City of Milwaukee or MSOE is in any increased risk of terrorist attack.
The world changed significantly on Sept. 11, 2001. We remain a nation at risk of attacks and will remain so for the foreseeable future. As a university, we must be properly prepared, vigilant, and ready to respond to any threat to the safety and security of the MSOE campus community. In response to these different advisory conditions, the MSOE Public Safety Department personnel are maintaining a high level of vigilance throughout the campus and the department is working closely with local and federal law enforcement officials, as well county and state emergency management officials, concerning the safety and security of the MSOE campus.
Additionally, MSOE has in place an established Crisis Response Team, as well as policies and procedures to address various types of emergencies that could possibly occur on the MSOE campus. These plans are constantly reviewed and updated in response to heightened security levels.
Understanding the Homeland Security Advisory System
In March,2002, the United States of America implemented the Homeland Security Advisory System to provide a comprehensive means to disseminate information regarding the risk of terrorist attacks. This system provides warnings in the form of a set of graduated "threat conditions" that increase as the risk of terrorist threat increases. The threat conditions are summarized as:
Severe Condition (Red). A Severe Condition reflects a severe risk of terrorist attacks.
High Condition (Orange). A High Condition is declared when there is a high risk of terrorist attacks.
Elevated Condition (Yellow). An Elevated Condition is declared when there is a significant risk of terrorist attacks.
Guarded Condition (Blue). A Guarded Condition is declared when there is a general risk of terrorist attacks.
LowCondition (Green). A Low Condition is declared when there is a low risk of terrorist attacks.
MSOE'S Public Safety Department Action Plan for Homeland Security Advisories
MSOE has inplace an Emergency Management Plan to respond to these different advisory conditions. As these threat levels increase, the Public Safety Department has a plan and is prepared to implement the following security measures designed to defeat criminal/terrorist threats on our campus.
- Continually assess all campus facilities for vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks and ensure that all reasonable measures (lighting, etc.) are taken to mitigate these vulnerabilities;
- Work closely with local law enforcement agencies and state agencies to monitor any threat level to MSOE students and employees;
- Review and update emergency response procedures;
- Develop appropriate contingency and emergency response plans;
- Increased surveillance of campus facilities especially in areas that are not in regular use;
- Ensure accountability of all issued access cards and/or keys with appropriate campus personnel;
- Review all plans, policies and procedures for emergency evacuation of campus buildings;
- Issue reminders to all employees to report suspicious activity to the Public Safety Department;
- Take additional security precautions at public events on campus;
- Provide warnings to all students and employees as appropriate. Warnings and alerts will be disseminated through various means including email, website updates, etc.;
- Maintain strict hours of operation for campus buildings. Heavily restrict after-hours access to all areas of campus;
- Restricted building access to authorized personnel only;
- Coordinate with local law enforcement authorities (Police Department, Sheriff's Department and FBI) and other agencies (Red Cross, etc.) regarding local efforts and concerns.