Vigipirate
Encyclopedia
Vigipirate is France
's national security alert system. Created in 1978 by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
, it has since been updated three times: in 1995 (following a terror bombing campaign), 2000, and 2004.
"Vigipirate" is a Portmanteau of "vigilance" (vigilance) or "vigie" (watchtower) and "pirate" (pirate).
The system defines four levels of threats represented by five colors: white, yellow, orange, red, scarlet.
The system calls for specific security measures, including increased police or police/military mixed patrols in subways, train stations and other vulnerable locations.
Opponents of the plan derisively call it "Plan Vichypirate", in reference to the Vichy regime, because of its influence on citizens' privacy.
Yellow level:Raise security levels to face real yet still uncertain dangers, through measures that are local and minimally disruptive of normal activity, while preparing to switch to "orange" or "red" within a few days.
Orange level:Take measures against plausible risks of terrorist action, including the use of means that are moderately disruptive to normal public activities, while preparing to switch to "red" or "scarlet" on short notice where possible.
Red level:Take measures against a proven risk of one or more terrorist actions, including measures to protect public institutions and putting in place appropriate means for rescue and response, authorizing a significant level of disruption to social and economic activity.
Crimson level:Notification of a risk of major attacks, simultaneous or otherwise, using non-conventional means and causing major devastation; preparing appropriate means of rescue and response, measures that are highly disruptive to public life are authorized.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
's national security alert system. Created in 1978 by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Valéry Marie René Georges Giscard d'Estaing is a French centre-right politician who was President of the French Republic from 1974 until 1981...
, it has since been updated three times: in 1995 (following a terror bombing campaign), 2000, and 2004.
"Vigipirate" is a Portmanteau of "vigilance" (vigilance) or "vigie" (watchtower) and "pirate" (pirate).
The system defines four levels of threats represented by five colors: white, yellow, orange, red, scarlet.
The system calls for specific security measures, including increased police or police/military mixed patrols in subways, train stations and other vulnerable locations.
Opponents of the plan derisively call it "Plan Vichypirate", in reference to the Vichy regime, because of its influence on citizens' privacy.
Levels of alert
White level:No danger.Yellow level:Raise security levels to face real yet still uncertain dangers, through measures that are local and minimally disruptive of normal activity, while preparing to switch to "orange" or "red" within a few days.
Orange level:Take measures against plausible risks of terrorist action, including the use of means that are moderately disruptive to normal public activities, while preparing to switch to "red" or "scarlet" on short notice where possible.
Red level:Take measures against a proven risk of one or more terrorist actions, including measures to protect public institutions and putting in place appropriate means for rescue and response, authorizing a significant level of disruption to social and economic activity.
Crimson level:Notification of a risk of major attacks, simultaneous or otherwise, using non-conventional means and causing major devastation; preparing appropriate means of rescue and response, measures that are highly disruptive to public life are authorized.
See also
- UK Threat LevelsUK Threat LevelsThe UK Threat Levels refer to the alert state that has been in use since 1 August 2006 by the British government to warn of forms of terrorist activity. Before then a colour based alert scheme known as BIKINI state was used...
, used in the United Kingdom, replacing the BIKINI state in 2006 - Homeland Security Advisory SystemHomeland Security Advisory SystemIn the United States, the Homeland Security Advisory System was a color-coded terrorism threat advisory scale. The different levels trigger specific actions by federal agencies and state and local governments, and they affect the level of security at some airports and other public facilities. It...
(United States)