Washington’s Emergency Management Division (WEMD) has published new guidelines to help businesses, county and local governments, tribes, neighborhoods, families and individuals to plan their own homeland security protective actions.

The plan guides are tied to each level of the national Homeland Security Advisory System and provide checklists that enable individuals, agencies, businesses and advisory system changes are issued.

“Homeland security begins at home. Citizens, government and businesses at all levels have a shared responsibility for protecting against, deterring, and if necessary, responding to terrorist acts,” said Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Lowenburg, director, Washington Military Department which oversees WEMD.

“Each of us must do our part to assure we’re secure in the new threat environment,” Lowenburg added. “The more thorough we are in our advance planning, the better the chances of surviving and minimizing the impact of a terrorist attack.”

The guidelines are divided into three separate guides: “Business, Critical Infrastructure and Key Assets”, “Tribal, County and Local Government”, and “Citizens, Neighborhoods and Families,” and are available at www.emd.wa.gov.

In addition to the information in the guidelines, WEMD staff and local emergency managers can provide assistance on the homeland security questions.