This Department of Homeland Security, headed by Tom Ridge, coordinates efforts of the many government agencies and organizations that are involved in the creation or implementation of anti-terrorist activities, from the State Department to the Transportation Department to the National Security Council.
For more information about the Department or the various efforts it oversees, please take a look at the Homeland Security Department's Websites -
http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/ and http://www.dhs.gov/
FAQ - http://www.whitehouse.gov/response/faq-homeland.html

What do those different code colors mean?
The Homeland Security Advisory system is confusing, as we don't always know what the advisories mean.

In general, the warnings are meant for public officials, but the general public can make better decisions about traveling, holding events, and pursuing other activities based on the advisories.

While we are all at a heightened sense of alert, for the most part we can live our lives the same way we always have.

Click here to learn more about this system. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020312-5.html

Is there a Homeland Security contact in my area?
Please take a look at this map and find your local Homeland Security office or contact: http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/contactmap.html

What exactly is terrorism, and why would anyone want to "terrorize" us here in the United States?
This is a difficult question, for which there are many answers and opinions.

According to FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Association:

"Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the United States for purposes of intimidation, coercion or ransom. Terrorists often use threats to create fear among the public, to try to convince citizens that their government is powerless to prevent terrorism, and to get immediate publicity for their causes. . . A terrorist attack can take several forms, depending on the technological means available to the terrorist, the nature of the political issue motivating the attack, and the points of weakness of the terrorist's target. Bombings have been the most frequently used terrorist method in the United States. Other possibilities include an attack at transportation facilities, an attack against utilities or other public services or an incident involving chemical or biological agents."

For more, please see: http://www.fema.gov/hazards/terrorism/terror.shtm

There are many hypotheses about the roots of the terrorist attacks in the US. You can learn more in depth information about Islamic fundamentalist terrorism and other forms of terrorism in our books and videos.

Is the United States government prepared to handle another attack?
Our government is far better prepared than ever before to prevent an attack or handle an emergency situation should an attack be unpreventable. Many government organizations are working together with the Homeland Security Office to prepare for possible attacks.

The CDC has been working hard to improve terrorism preparedness, and you can learn more by reading the following overview published by the CDC. http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/9-11pk.htm

What do Nuclear (or Radiological) Biological, Chemical Warfare really mean?
The CIA created a very clear explanation in the following report, from the Chemical/Biological/Radiological Incident Handbook, by the Director of Central Intelligence, Interagency Intelligence Committee on Terrorism, Community Counterterrorism Board, October 1998 - http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/cbr_handbook/cbrbook.htm

"Chemical, biological, and radiological material as well as industrial agents can be dispersed in the air we breath, the water we drink, or on surfaces we physically contact. Dispersion methods may be as simple as placing a container in a heavily used area, opening a container, using conventional (garden)/commercial spray devices, or as elaborate as detonating an improvised explosive device.

Chemical incidents are characterized by the rapid onset of medical symptoms (minutes to hours) and easily observed signatures (colored residue, dead foliage, pungent odor, and dead insect and animal life).

In the case of a biological incident, the onset of symptoms requires days to weeks and there typically will be no characteristic signatures. Because of the delayed onset of symptoms in a biological incident, the area affected may be greater due to the migration of infected individuals.

In the case of a radiological incident, the onset of symptoms requires days to weeks and there typically will be no characteristic signatures. Radiological materials are not recognizable by the senses, and are colorless and odorless.

Specialized equipment is required to determine the size of the effected area and if the level of radioactivity presents an immediate or long-term health hazard. Because of the delayed onset of symptoms in a radiological incident, the affected area may be greater due to the migration of contaminated individuals."

The CDC is a good source for information about Radiation:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/facts.asp

A complete history and explanation about biological weapons can be found at the Center for Infectious Disease's site. The following report was published by the University of Minnesota. http://www1.umn.edu/cidrap/content/bt/bioprep/biofacts/bioterr-overview.html

For more on specific chemical agents and risks, click here:
http://www.people.howstuffworks.com/biochem-war.htm

The US Department for Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control (CDC) has more complete lists of known chemical and biological agents at
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/

What is a "dirty bomb"?
The CDC provides an excellent explanation of a dirty bomb.
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/db.htm

Can Safer America products protect me in the event of a Nuclear, Biological or Chemical attack?
Yes. Escape hoods, gas masks, full body suits, radiation detectors, and all of the other personal protection devices can make a very real difference between health and sickness or even life and death. Of course, these devices can't guarantee safety in every unforeseen emergency situation, but they can protect you from many. Please take a look at our "products"section to learn more about what you can use each product for.)

How does Potassium Iodide work?