Following President George W. Bush's speech Monday night, Americans locally and nationwide are preparing for an increased domestic threat of terrorist activity due to the potential war in Iraq.
The conflict in the Middle East poses a real threat for Americans at home, according to U.S. intelligence officials. Because of this threat, the Department for Homeland Security increased the terror alert to orange Monday evening.
According to the national threat advisory system, the orange threat level of "High" means "credible intelligence indicates that there is a high risk of a local terrorist attack but a specific target has not been identified."
Kaye Harden, Albermarle County's emergency services coordinator, prepared the joint disaster plan for the University, the City and the County.
Harden said a seven-week citizen emergency response training program will begin April 1 at the local emergency communications center, located next door to the University Police Department on Ivy Road.
"This is actually the second class we have offered," Harden said. "It's part of an initiative that came down from President Bush about community preparedness."
The University homepage also has a link to its safety Web site, which includes emergency plans and provisions.
University News Services officials said the University administration will coordinate activities with local officials, raise awareness and increase security at University events. University Spokesperson Carol Wood could not be reached for comment.
Lee Catlin, Albermarle County community relations manager, expressed the need for heightened community awareness.
"It's an uncertain situation right now," Catlin said. "We would advise students to be very aware of their environment, and if they see any suspicious persons or activities that they notify the proper authorities."
Catlin also recommended students stay tuned to local media to remain aware of current events, because of the sudden developments that inevitably will occur.
Although the war may cause ripples in the personal lives of many Americans, Politics Prof. Larry Sabato said, it likely will not have a major effect on national politics.
"Personally, [I think] people will be surprised at how little will happen," Sabato said. "We know there will be a war, but this will be dramatically different from Sept 11. We will not see either political party suspend their major political fundraising events or campaigns."
Associate Politics Prof. John Owen said the Bush administration will be cautious about how Americans perceive the war.
"One thing to look for is a propaganda war between the administration and the anti-war movement," he said. "Are they killing civilians or are they killing [Iraqi soldiers]?"
Owen pointed out that the Bush administration will attempt to avoid civilian casualties by using precision-guided weapons, but nonetheless some civilians probably will be killed.
"There will be a massive bombardment of Baghdad unlike that which the world has ever seen," he said.
Reports from the Pentagon include plans to utilize cruise missiles and precision guided bombs in the assault on Iraq directed at hard targets, such as anti-war-craft facilities and military bases.
"There's talk about the Iraqi army launching some sort of a small preemptive strike, but I doubt it," Associate Politics Prof. W. Taylor Fain said.
Both Owen and Fain predicted the American, British and Australian troops will reach Baghdad quickly, but certain contingents of Hussein's Republican Army could pose problems.
"Things can get messy if those loyal to Saddam decide to put up a fight," Fain said.