OAKLAND, Calif. - Business owners and public officials who want to help visitors to their Web sites stay informed on the latest U.S. Department of Homeland Security terror alert status can now do so by adding a small graphic file to their Web page.

The graphic displays an up-to-the minute indicator of the current alert status - green, blue, yellow, orange or red - with a link to a dedicated page explaining to that site's users what the alert level means to them, and where to go for more information.

Each indicator is tied directly into the Department of Homeland Security. At the moment that the government changes the alert status, either up or down, the color of each individual Web site display automatically changes, keeping the site fresh and informative, 24-7.

Site owners that want to add the feature can request it, or learn more, at www.e-agency.com/alert.shtml.

David Hillstrom, senior vice president of e-agency, Inc., developed the homeland security package. The Oakland, Calif.-based Web firm develops, manages and hosts more than 250 Web sites, including those of several cities and other public agencies. Hillstrom came up with the idea while looking for ways to help these clients improve the range of services that they provide to their users.

"It is primarily of interest to Web sites whose users may have special concerns about security or the particular precautions that each alert level calls into effect," Hillstrom said. Public agencies including police and fire departments and operators of any public facilities that might be the target of terrorism; travel-related sites such as airports or travel agencies; companies that provide security services, including computer network security; and sites with constantly updated news content are just a few specific examples.

"The small alert status button tells visitors to your site that you care about their security, and about the security of our country," Hillstrom said. "It also can contribute a strong sense of immediacy to your site, especially now, when people are more sensitive than ever to news reports on a 'round-the-clock basis. Maybe most important, the alert status indicator shows your site user that you just want to help."

That's what was on the mind of Joe Haraburda, president of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, when he decided to display the alert status on the chamber's site, at www.oaklandchamber.com The site had more than 13,000 visitors last month. "This is one way we can help," Haraburda noted. "Unfortunately, the threat of terrorism has become a fact of life in America today. It is our responsibility to be alert and prepared."

Hillstrom agreed. "We have lived with a heightened awareness of the threat of terrorism in America for more than 18 months. Our sensitivity to this threat may be particularly high right now because of the war in Iraq. But, unfortunately, even after the Iraq situation is resolved, the threat of terrorism here at home will not disappear."

The City of Alameda, Calif. and the Bay Area Wold Trade Center have also posted the threat level indicator on their Web sites.

E-agency, Inc., is an interactive marketing communications agency, with specializations in advertising, public relations, cause-related marketing, strategic marketing consulting, response marketing, graphic design, and, at the heart of the agency, a complete range of Internet services designed to boost the performance of any and all communications tools. E-agency is headquartered in Oakland, and recently opened a branch office in Los Angeles.

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More information is available at: www.e-agency.com, Logos and photos scanned specifically for print publication are available at www.givememore.com/e-agency.

Media contact: Jack Lyness, e-agency (510) 304-2411 - jlyness@e-agency.com

For immediate release: 3/25/02