Is the Carson area prepared for threat of terrorism?

State officials and the American Red Cross encourage residents who want to prepare themselves in light of recently heightened national security warnings, but officials said Wednesday the state faces no immediate danger.

Nevada Homeland Security Adviser Jerry Bussell reported no specific threats have been reported to any city.

"I see no or I know of no imminent danger," he said.

Bussell spoke directly to Tom Ridge, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, in a conference call last week prior to the raising of the threat level from yellow to orange, or "high," the second-highest level.

During the call, Bussell said he was assured Nevada cities were facing no specific threats. Rather, the raising of the threat level was a result of the collection of credible, collaborative intelligence information worldwide.

Many U.S. residents were preparing this week for the possibility of an attack following Friday's heightened alert. People are reportedly buying gas masks, plastic wrap and duct tape for securing their windows against airborne threats, and stocking up on food and water.

Bussell and state American Red Cross officials said it's smart to prepare for emergencies in general, if it makes people feel more secure.

Bussell said it may appear that security officials are sending out different messages: one message is to be prepared, and the other is that you shouldn't worry too much about it. The two messages are not inconsistent, he said.

"Prepare yourself, in case (something should happen)," he said. "Once an incident has happened and you are not in imminent danger or your family isn't, go on with your life. Don't let the terrorists win. That's what they want."

American Red Cross volunteer and Carson City resident Judy Frobes said her family has canned goods and supplies ready, but "we haven't gone crazy with (plastic wrap) or anything like that."

Frobes, 60, and her husband, Jack Frobes, 58, are trained to respond to disasters and have helped residents in fires and other emergencies for five years. The Frobes are on call 24 hours a day and always prepared with their emergency vests and shirts stashed in the corner of their closet.

The Red Cross has five trained volunteers in the Carson area.

"For our area, that's not a lot," said Donna Brand, public affairs volunteer for the Sierra Nevada Chapter. The chapter has 200 trained volunteers throughout Northern Nevada and will train anyone who is interested, especially bilingual residents.

Red Cross volunteers do not collect blood, but set up shelters in emergencies and provide victims with food, clothing and shelter assistance.

"The big thing is getting more trained volunteers," Brand said. "That's something we can always use."

With current volunteers, the chapter can handle staffing a major shelter for three to four days, Brand said.

breakout

Residents should be prepared for any emergency by having enough food, water and personal and medical supplies to sustain their families for three days. For a list of survival-kit items, visit the American Red Cross Web site at www.redcross.com or call the local chapter at 856-1000.

The Homeland Security Advisory System recommends people take the following actions:

-- Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities

-- Review your personal disaster plan

-- Exercise caution when traveling

-- If a need is announced, donate blood at designated collection centers

-- Prior to volunteering, contact agencies to determine their needs

American Red Cross officials recommend taking the following precautions for chemical or airborne hazards when residents are called to "shelter in place":

-- Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.

-- Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.

-- Close the fireplace damper.

-- Get out a disaster supplies kit and make sure the radio is working.

-- Go to an interior room without windows that is above ground level. (In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements, even if the windows are closed.)

-- Using duct tape, seal all cracks around doors and any vents in the room.

-- Listen to a radio or watch television for further instructions. Local officials may call for evacuation.

ON THE WEB

Nevada Homeland Security information: http://homelandsecurity.nv.gov

American Red Cross: www.redcross.org

Nevada American Red Cross: www.nevada-redcross.org

To become a trained volunteer, call 856-1000, ext. 119