Fort Detrick
Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection Office

810 Schreider Street
Fort Detrick, Md. 21702
301-619-8547
DSN 343-8547

Hours: 0800-1630, M-F

Mission

Fort Detrick will execute an aggressive AT Program to protect it's personnel, their families, facilities, and materiel resources against terrorist attack. Threat information fusion will drive AT measures and course of action. During the pre-incident phase we will deter attack by establishing a layered defense; one that maintains access control at the perimeter, implements baseline AT physical security measures as FPCON levels escalate, and establishes security for identified critical assets. Essential to this defense approach will be the implementation of access control procedures into each critical asset and adoption of DoD AT Construction Standards such as stand-off distances and hardening practices. Emphasis during this phase will be on threat information gathering and analysis, developing detailed, integrated and supporting AT plans, and training and exercising installation plans. If an attack occurs, our efforts during the incident phase will focus on executing incident response precedures designed to mitigate and contain the attack. The post-incident phase will concentrate on implementing consequence management procedures to restore normal operations at quickly and efficiently as possible. The desired end state is a comprehensive AT program that effectively (1) saves lives and prevents human injury, (2) minimizes mission degradation, and (3) protects government property.

Countering Terrorism

Countering terrorism requires your help. Only you know who or what belongs - or doesn't belong in your building, neighborhood, or work center. The simple act of recognizing suspicious behavior and reporting it to authorities could thwart terrorist attacks and save lives. Please help by being alert for and reporting any of the following:

Surveillance:
Someone recording or monitoring activities using cameras (either still or video), note taking, drawing diagrams, annotating on or creating maps, and using binoculars or other vision-enhancing devices. An element of this activity could also include mapping out routes and determining the timing of traffic lights and flow.

Elicitation:
People attempting to get information. These attempts may be made by mail, fax, telephone, e-mail or in person and may seem like totally innocent questions about what you do and where you work.

Tests of security:
Any attempt to measure reaction times and actions by police. A test of security can be disguised as a simple mistake such as a vehicle approaching a security barrier and then turning around or an attempt to circumvent access control procedures in order to assess strengths and weaknesses of police and equipment.

Acquiring supplies:
Purchasing or stealing police and military uniforms, emergency responder type vehicles (such as police cars and ambulances), building passes and other identification media or the equipment to manufacture them.

Dry run or practice:
People or vehicles appear to have been purposely placed in a particular position or area. This is especially true when planning a kidnapping, but it also pertains to bombings.

Actual deployment of people and assets:
People and supplies getting into position to conduct an attack. This is the last chance to alert authorities before the attack occurs.

Suspicious persons out of place:
People who don't seem to belong or fit in the surrounding environment, especially if involved in any of the above listed activities.

Bulletins

Threat Level Definitions

FPCON: Current Fort Detrick Force Protection Condition

FPCON NORMAL

Applies when a general global threat of possible terrorist activity exists and warrants a routine security posture.

FPCON ALPHA

Applies when there is an increased general threat of possible terrorist activity against personnel or facilities, the nature and extent of which are unpredictable.

FPCON BRAVO

Applies when an increased or more predictable threat of terrorist activity exists.

FPCON CHARLIE

Applies when an incident occurs or when intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely.

FPCON DELTA

Applies in the immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred or when intelligence has been received that, terrorist action against a specific location or person is imminent.

Homeland Security Advisory System

Low Condition (Green)

This condition is declared when there is a low risk of terrorist attacks. Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures they develop and implement:

  • Refining and exercising as appropriate preplanned Protective Measures;
  • Ensuring personnel receive proper training on the Homeland Security Advisory System and specific preplanned department or agency Protective Measures; and
  • Institutionalizing a process to assure that all facilities and regulated sectors are regularly assessed for vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks, and all reasonable measures are taken to mitigate these vulnerabilities.

Guarded Condition (Blue)

This condition is declared when there is a general risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Condition, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:

  • Checking communications with designated emergency response or command locations;
  • Reviewing and updating emergency response procedures; and
  • Providing the public with any information that would strengthen its ability to act appropriately.

Elevated Condition (Yellow)

An Elevated Condition is declared when there is a significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:

  • Increasing surveillance of critical locations;
  • Coordinating emergency plans as appropriate with nearby jurisdictions;
  • Assessing whether the precise characteristics of the threat require the further refinement of preplanned Protective Measures; and
  • Implementing, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans.

High Condition (Orange)

A High Condition is declared when there is a high risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:

  • Coordinating necessary security efforts with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies or any National Guard or other appropriate armed forces organizations;
  • Taking additional precautions at public events and possibly considering alternative venues or even cancellation;
  • Preparing to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an alternate site or dispersing their workforce; and
  • Restricting threatened facility access to essential personnel only.

Severe Condition (Red)

A Severe Condition reflects a severe risk of terrorist attacks. Under most circumstances, the Protective Measures for a Severe Condition are not intended to be sustained for substantial periods of time. In addition to the Protective Measures in the previous Threat Conditions, Federal departments and agencies also should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:

  • Increasing or redirecting personnel to address critical emergency needs;
  • Assigning emergency response personnel and pre-positioning and mobilizing specially trained teams or resources;
  • Monitoring, redirecting, or constraining transportation systems; and
  • Closing public and government facilities.