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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Enhancing Rail Security
Improving RailBridgeSecurity � 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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