Operation
LIBERTY SHIELD is a comprehensive national plan
designed to increase protections for America's
citizens and infrastructure while maintaining
the free flow of goods and people across our
border with minimal disruption to our economy
and way of life. Operation LIBERTY SHIELD is
a multi-department, multi-agency, national team
effort. It includes:
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INCREASED
SECURITY AT BORDERS
Maritime
More Patrols — Security has been
increased at major U.S. ports and waterways
with more Coast Guard patrols by aircraft, ships
and boats.
More Escorts of Passenger Ships —
The Coast Guard has increased its escorts of
ferries and cruise ships.
More Sea Marshals — Every high interest
vessel arriving or departing from American ports
will have armed Coast Guard Sea Marshals onboard,
closely watching the ship's crew and ensuring
that it makes its port call safely. These merchant
ships have cargoes, crewmember(s), or other
characteristics that warrant closer examination.
Selective Maritime Restrictions —
The Coast Guard will enforce security zones
in and around critical infrastructure sites
in key ports. This information will be published
and announced for those using U.S. waterways.
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Land Borders
Increasing Border Surveillance —
Surveillance and monitoring of the borders will
be increased with more agents and patrol assets.
These forces will cover areas between major
ports of entry.
Increased Border Screening — Customs
and Border Protection officers will increase
screenings of vehicles and cargo crossing our
land borders. Officers will conduct more interviews
and detailed screenings as people transit in
and out of the U.S. The actions at land borders
are not expected to significantly impact the
movement of people and cargo across the border.
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Asylum Modifications
Asylum Detainees — Asylum applicants
from nations where al-Qaeda, al-Qaeda sympathizers,
and other terrorist groups are known to have
operated will be detained for the duration of
their processing period. This reasonable and
prudent temporary action allows authorities
to maintain contact with asylum seekers while
we determine the validity of their claim. DHS
and the Department of State will coordinate
exceptions to this policy. TOP
STRONGER TRANSPORTATION
PROTECTIONS
Airports
Increasing Airport Security — The
Transportation Security Agency will implement
airport security measures that are proactive,
sustainable, and focused, based on intelligence
information. One of the most visible changes
will be increasing the presence of law enforcement
officers on patrol and in airport facilities.
Checking Airport IDs — TSA has advised
air carriers to review and ensure the validity
of all personnel ID's for those who have access
to the secure areas. In addition, TSA screeners
will continue to remain at a heightened state
of alert. TOP
Airspace Control
Controlling Vital Airspace — New
temporary flight restrictions have been put
into place over certain U.S. cities, including
Washington D.C. and New York City. The FAA will
continue to closely monitor air traffic in these
and other key areas. TOP
Enhancing Rail Security
Improving Rail Bridge Security —
State governors have been asked to provide additional
police or National Guard forces at selected
bridges.
Increased Railroad Infrastructure Security
— Railroad companies will be asked to increase
security at major facilities and key rail hubs.
AMTRAK Security Measures — AMTRAK
will implement security measures consistent
with private rail companies.
Increasing Railroad Hazardous Material (HAZMAT)
Safety — At the request of the Department
of Transportation private railroad companies
will monitor shipments of hazardous material
and increase surveillance of trains carrying
this material. TOP
Enhancing Road Security
Government and Industry Teamwork —
The Department of Transportation will work closely
with hazardous material shippers and carriers
and encourage them to follow transportation
security checklists and recommendations. Suggested
measures include employee identification checks,
communications plans, and emphasis on operator
awareness. U. S. and Canadian authorities will
also coordinate cross-border hazardous material
shipments. TOP
ONGOING MEASURES
TO DISRUPT THREATS
AGAINST OUR NATION
Monitoring Terrorist Suspects
Tracking Suspects — The FBI will
continue to closely monitor individuals suspected
of links to terrorism.
Identifying Terrorist Supporters —
The FBI is working closely with the Departments
of Justice and DHS to identify those that would
facilitate terrorist activity through fundraising,
logistical support and recruitment.
Foreign National Information — In
order to advise members of the Iraqi community
of the FBI's responsibilities in protecting
them from hate crimes, and to elicit information
that may be useful to the U.S. Government in
the event of hostilities in Iraq, the FBI, working
with the Department of State and immigration
officials, has identified a number of Iraqi-born
individuals in the U.S. that may be invited
to participate in voluntary interviews. TOP
GREATER PROTECTIONS
FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND KEY ASSETS
Protecting Key Economic Centers and Ports
Vital Petro-chemical Facilities —
The Coast Guard will provide maritime protection
for petroleum centers located in close proximity
to major coastal population centers. TOP
Strengthening Nuclear Regulatory Safeguards
Facility Security — The Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC) is requiring all
licensed users of radioactive material to take
additional security measures.
Protecting Key Infrastructure —
The Federal government, state and local organizations
and the private sector are increasing the security
presence at chemical facilities, nuclear power
sites, key electrical grids, bridges, subway
systems, and other sites. TOP
Cyber-Security
Monitoring and Vigilance — The Department
of Homeland Security, together with other government
agencies, continues to monitor the Internet
for signs of a potential terrorist attack, cyber-terrorism,
hacking, and state-sponsored information warfare.
Industry and public Internet users are reminded
of the importance of employing sound security
practices and reporting unusual activity or
intrusion attempts to DHS or local law enforcement.
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INCREASED PUBLIC
HEALTH PREPAREDNESS
Increasing Disease Surveillance and Food
Security
Alerting and Informing the Food Industry
— The Department of Agriculture is alerting
producer organizations of the increased threat
status and urging them to implement additional
security measures such as inspecting all vehicles
and escorting all visitors to their facilities.
Department of Health and Human Services Outreach
— HHS is alerting state and local health
departments, hospitals, and medical care providers
to report any unusual diseases or disease patterns.
HHS has put the U. S. Public Health Service
Commissioned Corp Readiness Force of doctors,
nurses, and other health care staff on alert
status and alerted emergency support and management
teams to possible deployment. TOP
Imported Food Monitoring — HHS has
taken aggressive steps to enhance the inspection
of imported food and is coordinating federal,
state, and local communications on imported
food issues and potential food pathogens.
USDA Monitoring of Food Chain —
The Department of Agriculture is taking steps
to assure that employees and representatives
throughout the food and agriculture community
are alerted and aware of the need for extra
precautions during this time. USDA is encouraging
state and private authorities to monitor feedlots,
stockyards, import and storage areas. TOP
FEDERAL RESPONSE
RESOURCES POSITIONED AND READY
National Emergency Response Teams —
DHS has pre-positioned National Emergency Response
Teams (ERT-N) with one team designated for the
National Capital Region. These teams are able
to provide onsite management of federal response
efforts.
Incident Teams — USDA Incident Management
Teams (IRTs) from the U. S. Forest Service are
ready to deploy to an emergency site to manage
an incident with other DHS, federal, state,
and local authorities. TOP
DECON Teams Ready — EPA decontamination
teams are on alert and ready to deploy.
In addition to the measures being taken in Operation
LIBERTY SHIELD, members of the public are encouraged
to become more informed about the emergency
preparedness measures they can take to protect
themselves and family members. TOP
School Preparedness — On March 6,
the Secretary of Education, Rod Paige, and Secretary
Ridge announced a new web site that provides
educators and school administrators with key
emergency information to include in their own
preparedness plans. The website includes information
covering a variety of emergencies, including
natural disasters, violent incidents, and terrorist
acts. The website is: www.ed.gov/emergencyplan.
READY.GOV — The READY.GOV
website and 1-800-Be-Ready line provide citizens
with informative preparedness suggestions and
advice for families.
Source: Department of Homeland
Security Fact Sheet
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