Local and state agencies are preparing to react to any retaliatory terrorist attacks linked to the conflict with Iraq.

State and county agencies as well as Penn State Police Services are in a holding pattern, gathering information and waiting for situations that require their response.

April Hutcheson, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman, said war with Iraq would trigger a full activation of the agency's State Emergency Operations Center.

The operations center coordinates the efforts of local, state and federal officials during any emergency, Hutcheson added.

At least two staff members work at the center during normal conditions, but about 15 people are now on duty because of the current orange -- or "high" -- terror alert, she added.

Fully activating the facility would mean bringing in 85 to 100 people from all over the state to deal with possible retaliatory terrorist attacks, Hutcheson said.

After fighting begins, Hutcheson said the need for full activation would be re-evaluated. But she said no time frame is set.

"We don't say that at 2 p.m. we are going to re-evaluate," she said. "It is an ongoing process."

Hutcheson stressed the importance of ordinary citizens in protecting the country during a war.

"If we keep our eyes and ears open, we're actually helping in this battle," she said.

Clifford Lutz, supervisor with Penn State Police Services, said university police receive daily briefings from federal agencies to stay up-to-date on developing situations.

University police have also been asked to increase vigilance and review all emergency contact lists for accuracy, he added.

Randy Rockey, Centre County emergency management coordinator, said he is constantly communicating with various state agencies, the State Emergency Operations Center, and agencies from other counties to keep appraised of any developing situations.

But despite the constant updates, Rockey said there is no reason to worry yet.

"We definitely do not want to overreact. No need for panic or anything like that," he said.

Richard McGarvey, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, said the department has recommended that hospitals review their emergency plans to make sure phone lists are updated and systems are properly in place.

No other instructions were given, he said.

"We don't have standard things we tell them to do at this time," McGarvey added.

The University Park Airport also has not received specific instructions.

Bob Dannaker, airport manager, said security decisions are set by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which has yet to make any decisions related to the Iraq issue.

"We're just waiting to see what happens," Dannaker said.