War with Iraq could be only hours away, and Kansans are preparing for it.

For more than a month, requests for information about disaster kits have poured into the Douglas County American Red Cross office.

Law enforcement agencies are adjusting their routines because of a higher terrorist alert as well as because of the expected war.

The Kansas National Guard’s military operations center is now staffed around the clock.

Antiwar protests will continue, organizers said, but this evening, for the first time in Lawrence, a rally in support of American troops is planned.

“Our troops have been watching the news, and the media has been showing the antiwar rallies,” Matt Buff, Lawrence, said. “That has an effect on our troops, and that kind of bothered me.”

Buff, who said he has a brother serving as a military police officer with the Army in Kuwait, has been working with the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts in Lawrence to prepare the rally. It will be at 5 p.m. in front of the Douglas County Courthouse, 11th and Massachusetts Streets.

Representatives from the VFW and Legion will speak, Buff said.

The rally will take place as President George W. Bush’s 48-hour ultimatum to Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq nears its end.

“We may stay there till the end,” Buff said. “I hope our numbers increase.”

Security is being increased across Kansas because of the Bush ultimatum and the raising of the nation’s terror alert status to “high.”

A combat vehicle crewman with the U.S. 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit stands on an M-1A1 tank in the Kuwait desert. U.S. troops moved closer to the Iraqi border Tuesday, awaiting orders.

Intelligence analysis hasn’t revealed any immediate threats to Kansas, according to Maj. Gen. Greg Gardner, the adjutant general for the state. Nevertheless, increased security measures are being taken, such as closing Coffey County Lake next to the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant.

Increased security at the state’s armories also is being considered, Gardner said.

In Lawrence, directives from the FBI provide basic information to police unless there is a specific threat, Lt. David Cobb said.

“It’s geared a lot more for people with ports and major airports, major power plants and major bridges — those kinds of things,” Cobb said.

Police already were expecting staffing levels to be up during this time period because of “March Madness” associated with the NCAA basketball tournament.

The Kansas University Public Safety Department on Tuesday was reviewing its options in light of war and the increased alert, Lt. Schuyler Bailey said. But he declined to be specific.

“The changes we would make would be invisible to the public,” Bailey said. “Certain procedures and manpower will be looked at.”

For the past few months federal agencies have been urging Americans to go about their daily business but to be prepared for the worst when it comes to terrorist attacks.

Several weeks ago when the alert status was heightened, the Douglas County Chapter of the American Red Cross received requests for brochures about preparing an emergency disaster kit, executive director Jane Blocher said.

¢ Americans waiting for war¢ State increases security measures¢ Democrats raise concern about war resolution¢ Iraqis make defense preparations in Baghdad¢ White House¢ Pentagon¢ Homeland Security information¢ Join the discussion

“We received a bunch of calls,” Blocher said. “We mailed out a lot of (brochures).”

On Tuesday, however, only a couple of calls for brochures were made to the Red Cross office at 2518 Ridge Court, Blocher said.

Among the most important items to have in a disaster kit are a radio, non-perishable food, clothes, first aid kit and can openers, Red Cross officials said.

The new terror alert and the possibility of war didn’t seem to have an effect at Kansas City International Airport, spokesman Joe McBride said.

“Because of spring break it’s been busy,” he said. “There has been no additional increase in security measures.”

Airport police are staying in touch with federal authorities in case additional steps are needed, McBride said. Air travelers going to KCI should arrive at least 90 minutes prior to their plane’s departure to go through checks.

Kansas’ increased security did not require mobilization of the National Guard, Gardner said. Additional mobilizations are possible as the nation builds up its forces against Iraq, he said.