"Chattanooga Airport, TVA Tightening Security In Orange Alert"

Friday, February 7, 2003

Airport, TVA Tightening Security In Orange Alert
The Chattanoogan (TN)


Security was stepped up at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, at TVA and
other local offices after President George W. Bush on Friday ordered the
current threat condition in the nation's homeland security advisory system
raised from yellow to orange - the second-most serious level.

Gov. Phil Bredesen said, "This means there is a credible, high risk of
terrorism nationwide, and possibly within the State of Tennessee. This does
not mean attacks will occur. But it means that we must move forward with a
heightened state of awareness. We must be vigilant.

"I have asked my homeland security director, Gen. Jerry Humble, to take the
appropriate action to increase our readiness and confirm our ability to
respond in the event of an incident.

"He is coordinating our preparedness efforts with federal, state and local
governments and law-enforcement authorities.

"For the public's part, I am asking that all Tennesseans remain calm and
continue with your daily routines.

"As I said, this new threat condition does not mean that terrorist attacks
will occur. It only means that we must be prepared. I feel confident that we
are."

U.S. Attorney Sandy Mattice said, "The public is advised that they should
remain alert, and should promptly report any suspicious activity to law
enforcement authorities.

"The public is further reminded that they should exercise particular caution
at public events and at public gathering places."

Mark VanLoh, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport
Authority, said, "The visible change for passengers and people arriving at
the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport to drop off or pick up passengers will
be the reimplementation of the vehicular searches that the airport had in
place most of last year. We are well rehearsed at this security level and
are implementing plans immediately to meet the security directives set forth
by Homeland Security."

Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport between one hour and
one-and-a-half hours prior to departure time to allow ample time for the
vehicular searches, as well as the checked baggage and checkpoint search
processes.

"Even with a little additional time for the vehicular searches, it's still
much quicker to check in at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport than other
large airports, like Atlanta Hartsfield," Mr. VanLoh said.

TVA issued an agencywide alert in response to Attorney General John
Ashcroft's raising the nationwide state of alert to the orange level.

Until further notice, entry to TVA buildings and facilities will be
restricted to cardkey access only. TVA Police also will increase patrols of
critical facilities, in accordance with pre-established plans for level
orange. Additional information will be provided later.

Employees were asked to be alert and report any suspicious activities to the
TVA Police.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and Attorney General John Ashcroft, in
consultation with other government officials, recommended raising the threat
level from yellow to orange because of increasing concerns of a possible
terrorist attack.

Concerns include an increase in so-called "chatter" among suspected
terrorists that has been detected in recent days by U.S.
anti-terrorism forces. Heightened awareness is asked of everyone, TVA
officials said.

The color-coded threat-level system - known as the Homeland Security
Advisory System - was established in March 2002.

The nation has gone to level orange only three times since the creation of
the system, the last time on Sept. 10. It was lowered to level yellow about
two weeks later.

The system was created as a way to convey the risk of terrorist attacks to
federal, state and local authorities and the American people. It includes
the following five levels:

Red - Severe condition

Orange - High condition

Yellow - Elevated condition

Blue - Guarded condition

Green - Low condition

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