Homeland Security Review Essay

Just as our parents and grandparents remember where they were and what they were doing when President John F. Kennedy was shot, so will it be with this generation when asked the same questions pertaining to September 11, 2001. This horrific event will be a scar on the body of our wonderful nation until the end of time. Parents lost children, children lost parents, spouses lost their heartmates – so much anguish and emotional devastation demands that something be done to prevent tragedy like this from occurring in the future. This is why President George W. Bush created the Office of Homeland Security.

By understanding the steps to prepare for countering and responding to a terrorist, the well-being of US national security interests can be promoted and the exposure to risk and susceptibility to experiencing harm can be efficiently managed for communities, families and individuals in the event of a terrorist incident. The welfare of US national security, citizens and property can be effectively safeguarded through the understanding of protection strategies administered collectively by local communities, families and individuals. Local emergency operations planning, family disaster planning, as well as self-protection planning each represent important protective measures, which serve to educate the nation and its citizens how to

The Establishment of the Department of Homeland Security as Established by the Homeland Security Act of 2002

Thesis: The Department of Homeland Security operates with a Code of Conduct for all Federal Protective Service employees. DHS must maintain the mission of safety and security of the nation and its citizens, while balancing their civil and privacy rights. Federal property has access control for the public during normal operating hours and secured access for after hours. Signs are posted on federal property stating rules and regulations for the public to adhere to; failure to comply can result in civil and criminal penalties by both the state and the federal government. A single offense can incur state misdemeanor charges, followed by federal misdemeanor charges. A code of ethics can define an organization and its reputation.

Terrorist attacks generally take place on a larger scale given the political and ideological reasoning behind the attack. In most cases, state and federal law enforcement agencies take the lead on the investigation and response. However, with most attacks requiring detailed and thorough planning on all levels, local law enforcements agencies are essential to thwarting any potential acts of terror before they occur. The inclusion of these smaller agencies increases the level of preparedness and responsiveness to any potential threat while at the same time, benefiting both smaller and larger agencies.

In this research paper, I am going to discuss the plan that the Department of Homeland Security has set forth for the years of 2012-2016. This plan outlines the entire vision of the department to essentially accomplish their missions and goals. The plan consists of missions varying from border security to cyber security. We must not forget the men and women on the front line working hard to ultimately secure and provide safety for the United States of America.

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 impacted the American people without many of them realizing it. The act called for increased monitoring of computer networks, phone lines, and online history inside the United States and allowed the government to deport suspects (ACLU). What was created by the act has snaked its way into all aspects of our lives, creating a sense of order and restricting some freedom. However, some say that this imposition into our daily lives limits our freedoms and actions allowed us by the Constitution. Many interest groups voice strong resentment for the act while others try to demonstrate the strengths and triumphs of the Homeland Security Act. This paper will show the differing viewpoints of those that feel that the

has always been people who take their ideals to the extremes and find gratification in inflicting harm on innocent victims all over the world. Domestic terrorism is an evolving issue, that keeps American citizens on edge and homeland security and local law enforcement on their toes. Although terrorism can be a very broad topic, a narrow focus on the homegrown threat will be presented in this paper. Domestic terrorism has unfortunately caused more deaths in the United States after September 11, 2001, than any other forms of terror (Nakashima, 2015).

The National Response Framework is a guide designed to assist local, State, and Federal governments in developing functional capabilities and identifying resources based on hazard identification and risk assessment. It outlines the operating structure and identifies key roles and responsibilities. It established a framework to identify capabilities based on resources and the current situation no matter the size or scale. It integrates organizational structures and standardizes how the Nation at all levels plans to react to incidents. The suspected terrorist attack will have health, economic, social, environment and political long-term effects for my community. This is why it is essential that local government’s

A terrorist attack, cyber-attack, 6.8 earthquake, flooding, hazardous waste material, and a wildfire are identified by THIRA as the six plausible hazards and threat scenarios in the state of Colorado (Homeland Security Emergency Management, 2014, p.16). The goal of the THIRA process is to help communities identify possible hazards and prepare resources in case an unplanned risk presents itself (FEMA, 2013). Subsequently once I had finished reviewing the scenarios I came to believe that each six scenarios are both plausible and significant. Though terrorist attacks in Colorado are not common, they have happened in the last decade. The most recent act of terrorism against Colorado being the Aurora movie theater shooting. Though it have never

Since the attacks on September 11th, 2001, intelligence activities has been one of the most controversial issues facing this country with one of the most controversial being the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Created in November of 2002 and concepted just two weeks after the attacks, the DHS focuses in five goals; prevent terrorism and enhance security, secure and manage the borders, enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard and secure cyberspace,

Protecting the U.S. Homeland should be our first course of action .“The US needs to serve as a model for other countries.” ( Brown University, 2008, pg. 40). If we give our resources to what we need to fix then we will set a better example to countries who need it. After fixing our domestic problems we can give advice to countries who need help. With helping other countries we would be helping their allies which could have a ripple effect on the rest of the world.

There are Six Strategic Challenges facing the security in the United States over the next five years are not just a federal government issue. State and local communities must come together and face these challenges, along with the federal agencies to help combat the vast security problems facing the nation. Terrorism and natural disasters are happening to small communities, as well as the expected targets that we have faced before and after 9/11. In the age of such an array of technology that has allowed Russia to hack into the computers of the Democratic Party to help sway the voting of a Presidential election affects every citizen of this nation.

At the beginning of this course, I was preparing for my transition out of the military and preparing for a career revolving around homeland security. My plans have since been adjusted due to the area that we are now relocating. We were initially going to a major metropolis in Texas, but now we’re headed to a rural area in northern Georgia which doesn’t permit me to continue pursuing that initial path.

The Department of Homeland Security released the 2014 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review on June 18, 2014 as required by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and its amendments. This review outlined the current state of preparedness, as well as the future areas of concentration. It also determined six strategic challenges facing the nation: terrorist threat; growing cyber threats; biological concerns as a whole; nuclear terrorism; transnational criminal organizations; and natural hazards. The basic building block of emergency management in the U.S. is the local community. Each step begins here. Threat assessments are completed on the local level. Planning, mitigation, and response are all responsibilities of the local community to support the state and Federal practice using the guidance provided by both.