Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Latest from National Terror Alert Response Center









National Terror Alert Launches New Online Community Preparedness Network


Posted: 18 Mar 2009 01:40 AM PDT



Grassroots Network of Citizens and Community and Government Leaders

Take on the Challenge of Readiness



visit www.homelandsecurityresponse.com.



While many U.S. citizens fear terrorist attacks and other threats to homeland

security, very few are aware of basic emergency plans or strategies that could potentially save their lives, and the lives of those around them in the event of

an attack or disaster. To help better equip citizens with the knowledge and

resources they need to become more prepared, the creators of the National
Terror Alert Response Center have launched the Homeland Security

Response Network, an online, collaborative community of concerned citizens,

and government and community leaders. The network is designed to promote

discourse and community involvement, and help to create safer, more secure communities, with an emphasis on engaging citizens at the community level.


The Homeland Security Response Network is the first online, social networking community designed to foster interaction and dialogue between government

officials, community and organization leaders and citizens. The site’s primary

goals are to leverage technology and social media in preparing and organizing communities, and to bridge the gap between community preparedness and

government preparedness. The developer of the site also hopes the Homeland
Security Response Network will reintroduce preparedness into the

national educational curriculum, and reenergize neighborhood and
community
preparedness partnerships and programs.


Since the launch of the site this week, more than 1,000 members have

registered, and created profiles on the site. The site currently features videos,

forums, chat rooms, blogs, event listings and a Preparedness Info page. The

page contains a list of preparedness brochures outlining tips, resources and

action plans to help prepare individuals for a variety of emergency
situations or disasters, including wildfires, hijackings, hostage
situations,
public shootings, bomb threats and biological attacks. The site will

also offer preparedness videos with similar information available for free

download that can be used by school administrators, community organizers

and other groups committed to promoting preparedness through awareness,

education, community involvement and partnerships between individuals,

groups and organizations.


In addition to serving as a comprehensive resource site, the Homeland

Security Respons Network is also a virtual town hall, intended to facilitate

questions, feedback and consistent participation from its members.

Recent topics featured and discussed on the site include: how

to survive a nuclear attack; how to prepare an emergency bag; checking

emergency preparedness for recalled items; and the importance and

correlation between donating blood and disaster preparedness.


“Considering the leaps and bounds made with modern technology,
it’s disconcerting that
we’re probably less prepared for a major crisis in our

communities and our nation than we were just a generation or two ago,” said

Martin Jones, developer of the Homeland Security Response Network.

“In an actual crisis, it will not be how quickly the government

responds that will determine the impact and outcome, but how well the

community and individuals respond that will make the difference. The

community will be first on scene in the moments and hours that are most

critical.”


Martin Jones has served on the President’s Council on Y2K and as a

disaster services volunteer for the American Red Cross. He is also the founder

and publisher of NationalTerrorAlert.com, a leading authority site on the

web for homeland security news and information with a monthly readership

of more than 250,000. He created the Homeland Security Response Network

largely due to the number of NationalTerrorAlert.com subscribers
who expressed an interest in taking a
more active role in homeland security.


“The tragic events on September 11 forced our governmental agencies to be

more diligent, but very few changes have been made at the community level,”

said Jones. “The best insurance for a safe and secure nation is a well informed

and prepared citizenry. It’s our hope that the Homeland Security Response

Network will equip and prepare citizens for the challenges ahead, and help

build a network of safer, stronger communities.”


The Homeland Security Response Network has plans to enhance
several additional features in
the upcoming months, including Intellispace

Live Incident, an online command center that helps citizens monitor events in

real time, and Prepared Communities, a larger network of sites organized by
city to give community members easier access to their local resources.


The site will also participate in National Preparedness Month in September.

For more information on the Homeland Security Response Network,
or to become a member,


visit www.homelandsecurityresponse.com.






This story comes to us via Homeland Security - National
Terror Alert.


National Terror
Alert is America's trusted source for
homeland security news and
information.





Suspect In Alleged NY Terror Plot Released In Lebanon


Posted: 17 Mar 2009 11:56 PM PDT



A Lebanese man arrested three years ago on terrorism charges for

allegedly plotting to blow up New York City commuter tunnels has been

released on bail, Lebanese officials said Tuesday.


The case was said to have been an al-Qaida plot involving Assem
Hammoud and seven
other people.


Hammoud was arrested in April 2006 in Lebanon. The FBI said the
plotters planned to
bomb and flood Hudson River train tunnels that carry

tens of thousands of commuters between New York and New Jersey.


U.S. federal officials said the eight suspects — including Hammoud and

two others in custody elsewhere — had hoped to pull off the attack in

October or November 2006.


After Hammoud’s arrest, Lebanese authorities said they found
maps and bombing plans on
his personal computer, that he confessed to

the plot and swore allegiance to al-Qaida.


Following a trial before the military court last year Hammoud was

released on a bail of 1 million Lebanese pounds ($667) pending a verdict,

the judiciary officials said.


via Source



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This story comes to us via Homeland Security - National
Terror Alert.


National Terror
Alert is America's trusted source for
homeland security news and
information.














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