Alert level 4

Alert level 4 applies when the terrorist threat that is subject to analysis is judged to be concrete and imminent, or when one or several terrorist acts have been committed on national territory. It corresponds to the VERY SERIOUS threat level.

It entails mobilisation of all the response capabilities available and the application of particularly restrictive measures to counter the threat and, in the event of an attack, to intervene rapidly and in a coordinated manner.

Exceptional temporary measures are adopted in order to cope with a highly sensitive situation or context. Alert level 4 is intended to be of limited duration. It may be activated over the whole territory or, if it is necessary to reinforce safety measures on an occasional basis, over a limited geographical area and/or in certain sectors of activity. The main aim of these measures is to reduce the consequences of the terrorist activities and ensure a rapid return to normal.

Terrorist Threat Evaluation Cell (CEMT)

The CEMT is composed of the State Intelligence Service, the Grand-Ducal Police/Anti-Terrorist Cell, and the State Prosecutor in Luxembourg City. It assesses the terrorist threat. The head of the CEMT confers with the HCPN on the information to be reported to the head of the Crisis Cell (CC). It is placed under the responsibility of the State Prosecutor in Luxembourg City.

Joint operational command post

A joint operational command post (PC) is activated. Its members represent the Grand-Ducal Police, the armed forces, the Customs and Excise Agency, the Luxembourg Fire and Rescue Corps, the State Prosecutor, the HCPN, and the Communication and Information Cell.

The PC is headed by the Grand-Ducal Police and tasked with the operational coordination and monitoring of the tactical commanders deployed in the field who are responsible for implementation of the supervision, protection and rescue measures with a view to achieving the strategic aims.

Crisis Cell (CC)

The Crisis Cell is activated by the Prime Minister and convened by the High Commissioner for National Protection as soon as the Government decides on a level 4 alert or if a crisis is imminent or has already occurred.

The Crisis Cell is composed of the following people at the least:

• the High Commissioner for National Protection;
• the Director General of the Grand-Ducal Police;
• the Director of the State Intelligence Service;
• the Director of the Luxembourg Fire and Rescue Corps;
• the Director of the Customs and Excise Agency;
• the Director of the Crisis Communication Service;
• the Director of the National Health Directorate;
• the Chief of Staff of the armed forces;
• the Chief State Prosecutor;
• a representative of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade;
• a representative of the Ministry of Justice;
• a representative of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Under the authority of the Government, the Crisis Cell adopts the strategic decisions to initiate and coordinate all the measures intended to deal with the crisis and its effects and promote a return to normal. It prepares the necessary decisions and submits them to the Government for approval.

The members of the Crisis Cell can be assisted or represented by their substitutes. Depending on the circumstances, the Crisis Cell can be expanded to include experts from the CBRN sector and representatives of other ministerial departments, administrations and services involved.

The Crisis Cell operates throughout the duration of the crisis, until the situation returns to normal.

Operational Cell

The Crisis Cell can appoint an operational cell to execute, implement and monitor the ordered measures and activities.

Communication/Information Cell

The Communication/Information Cell (Cellule Communication/Information - CCI) is in charge of communication and providing information for the media and citizen. The horizontal coordination of organising external communication falls to the Crisis Communication Service.