State responds to terror alert

Monday, February 10, 2003

LINCOLN -- Gov. Mike Johanns and other state officials Friday afternoon outlined actions taken in response to President Bush's decision to change the national terror alert from yellow (elevated alert) to orange (high alert).

The highest level of alert is red. Joining the governor at the announcement were Lt. Gov. Dave Heineman, State Patrol Lt. Col. Mike Behm, Dr. Richard Raymond, Gen. Roger Lempke, and Al Berndt, deputy director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.

"We have no information pointing to any threat or evidence of impending terrorist activity against any person, organization, or place within Nebraska," Johanns said. "However, the cause for concern among federal officials based on their intelligence reports is serious and we should all take it seriously."

Beginning Friday morning, and immediately upon notification of the change in alert status, state officials took at least six specific actions.

The State Patrol has increased its surveillance and monitoring of critical assets across the state of Nebraska. Lt. Gov. Heineman, Nebraska's Director of Homeland Security, and the State Patrol have communicated with county sheriffs and police departments to notify them of the status change and to urge them to increase vigilance and awareness in their communities.

The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency has notified all local emergency managers of the status changes and urged them to increase preparedness for response to any terrorist activity. The Lt. Governor communicated directly with the controlling authorities of some of Nebraska's critical assets including railroads, nuclear power plants, and Omaha's Eppley Airfield as well as Lincoln Mayor Don Wesely and Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey's chief of staff to alert them to the change in status and to take appropriate precautions.

Nebraska's Health and Human Services System has communicated with most every public health district, hospital and physician across Nebraska to urge public health officials to raise their awareness to the possibility of terrorist activity.

Finally, Gov. Johanns is asking all Nebraskans to raise their level of awareness and vigilance. He said, "Any unusual activities taking place in your community should be reported to local law enforcement immediately. This is always good advice but especially so at a time like this. Citizen participation is an absolutely critical component of our first line defense against criminal activity, especially terrorism.

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