Tools to Help Your Community Prepare

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) closely monitors attacks on public gatherings and public places to constantly enhance the Nation’s security. During both steady state and times of heightened awareness, DHS engages closely with our private sector and community partners to provide expert counsel and recommendations about protective measures they can implement to protect facilities and venues. DHS provides free tools and resources to communities because the Department recognizes that communities are the first line of defense in keeping the public safe and secure.

The Department encourages businesses to Connect, Plan, Train, and Report. Applying these four steps in advance of an incident or attack can help better prepare businesses and their employees to proactively think about the role they play in the safety and security of their businesses and communities.

• Connect: Reach out and develop relationships in your community, including local law enforcement. Having these relationships established before an incident occurs can help speed up the response when something happens.
• Plan: Take the time now to plan on how you will handle a security event should one occur. Learn from other events to inform your plans.
• Train: Provide your employees with training resources and exercise your plans often. The best laid plans must be exercised in order to be effective.
• Report: “If You See Something, Say Something™” is more than just a slogan. Call local law enforcement.

For more information  go to the Homeland Security website at http://www.dhs.gov