Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States of America realized that determination and sacrifice alone were insufficient to meet the threat of terrorism both here and abroad. In the years that followed, the nation went through an extraordinary transformation in an effort to provide domestic security (Sauter and Carfano).Drawing strength from the combined efforts of the federal government, state and local officials, businesses, non-governmental organizations and private citizens, the country hastened to build the framework of what was to become the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In November 25, 2002, the Department of Homeland Security was formed by virtue of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. This 35-page anti-terrorism bill granted federal law enforcement agencies enhanced capabilities to monitor citizens (Armey) The DHS was created from an amalgam of 22 federal agencies which include among others the U.S. Coast Guard, Secret Service, FEMA, U.
S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, etc,.A feat of inter-agency coordination and cooperation, the DHS was vested with the responsibility of protecting the U.S. territory from terrorist actions and responding to natural and man-made disasters. Prior to DHS’s inception, President George W.
Bush declared the creation of the Office of Homeland Security (OHS) as a response to the 9/11 attacks. Its mission is to “…develop and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to secure the United States from terrorist threats or attacks. The Office will coordinate the executive branch's efforts to detect, prepare for, prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks within the United States (Homeland Security Council).”In January 2003 the OHS was merged with the DHS with a coordination and advisory role.
The creation of the DHS was an attempt to merge several U.S. executive branch organizations related to “homeland security” into a single Cabinet agency. Being the third largest Cabinet agency, it boasts a workforce of over 200,000, after the Department of Defense and Department of Veteran Affairs. It was the biggest reorganization of the government in 50 years.
Whereas the Department of Defense (DoD) shoulders the responsibility of military actions overseas, the DHS works in the civilian realm to protect the Unites States within, at, and outside its borders. The DHS works in the following areas in a continuing effort to protect every U.S. citizen:1. Information Sharing and Analysis.
The DHS is tasked with assessing the nation’s vulnerabilities. It evaluates vulnerabilities and coordinates with federal, state, local and private entities to ensure the most effective response. The information collected and evaluated is made available to the public, state and local governments, and the private sector (Department of Homeland Security). Notable programs include:a. The Homeland Security Advisory System. A color-coded terrorism threat advisory scale designed to guide protective measures when specific information about a particular sector (such as air travel) or geographic region is received.
It also disseminates threat advisories and information bulletins made available to public safety officials and the general public (Department of Homeland Security).b. Protected Critical Infrastructure Information (PCII) Program. An information-protection program that seeks to improve information sharing between the private sector and the government.
The PCII Program is used by the DHS, state, federal and local analysts to analyze and secure critical infrastructure and protected systems; to identify vulnerabilities and develop risk assessments, and to enhance recovery preparedness measures (Department of Homeland Security).c. Homeland Security Information Network. A computer-based counterterrorism communications system. Connecting all 50 states, five territories, Washington, D.
C. and 50 major urban areas, the system enables all states and major urban areas to collect and disseminate information in real time between federal, state, and local agencies involved in combating terrorism (Department of Homeland Security).2. Prevention and Protection. The DHS has the ability to anticipate, preempt and prevent threats and the ability for quick response (Department of Homeland Security).
Significant programs include:a. Container Security Initiative Ports. The Container Security Initiative (CSI) enables U.S.
Customs and Border Protection in coordination with the host government Customs Services to examine high risk maritime cargo ay foreign seaports before they are loaded on vessels bound for the United States (Department of Homeland Security).b. National Infrastructure Protection Plan. Provides an organized approach in dealing with critical infrastructure and key resources (CI/KR) protection roles and responsibility for federal, state. local, tribal, and private sector security partners. It helps ensure that government, economy and public services continue in the event of a terrorist attack or other disasters (Department of Homeland Security).
3. Preparedness ; Response. The DHS ensures that emergency response professionals are prepared in an event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large scale emergencies (Department of Homeland Security). Ongoing programs include:a. Ready.gov.
A readiness website featuring emergency preparedness resources including special information for pet owners, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Ready.gov provides information on types of emergencies and how to properly deal with it (Department of Homeland Security).b.
First Responders. The DHS ensures that emergency response professionals are properly trained and equipped in the event of any emergency. State and local jurisdictions are provided with training resources and first responders are encouraged to share their ideas that would aid fellow first responders perform their jobs safer, faster, and more efficiently (Department of Homeland Security).c.
National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS will allow responders to procure assistance in the event that emergencies would require aid from other jurisdictions and disciplines (Federal Emergency Management Agency).4. Research.
The DHS taps into the nation’s scientific and technological resources with the aim of improving current and developing new capabilities to protect the homeland (Department of Homeland Security). Current programs include:a. Homeland Security Advanced Research Project Agency (HSARPA). Engages government, industry, academia and other sectors in innovative research and development through research grants (Department of Homeland Security).
b. Homeland Security Centers of Excellence. The DHS establishes partnerships with universities with the goal of pooling the talents of the nation’s best experts in the field of agricultural, chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological, explosive and cyber terrorism, as well as the behavioral aspects of terrorism (Department of Homeland Security).5.
Commerce and Trade. The DHS is engaged in protecting the movement of trade across U.S. borders, maximizing security of the international supply chain, and identification and elimination of threats before it arrives on our shores and borders (Department of Homeland Security).
Important programs include:a. Container Security Initiative (CSI).Addresses the threat to border security and global trade posed by potential terrorist use of a maritime container to deliver a weapon. It is designed to screen cargo containers for any terrorist threat before it gets shipped to the United States (U.S. Customs ; Border Protection).
b. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). A voluntary government-business scheme with the aim to establish cooperative ties to reinforce and improve overall international supply chain and U.S. border security (U.S.
Customs ; Border Protection).6. Travel Security and Procedures. Provides updated and relevant travel information such as international travel requirements, overseas travel, air and rail security measures, etc.
(Department of Homeland Security)(Department of Homeland Security)a. US-VISIT. A variety of security measures that enhances the security of citizens and visitors, facilitates legitimate travel and trade, ensures the integrity of the immigration system and protects the privacy of foreign visitors. This is carried out by incorporating eligibility determinations made by the DHS and State (Department of Homeland Security).7. Immigration.
Covers a broad range of topics including immigration, citizenship, employment, customs and border protection ((Department of Homeland Security).a. Secure Border Initiative. A thorough multi-year initiative to with the objective of securing America’s borders and reducing illegal migration by patrolling the border, securing ports of entry and enforcing immigration laws (Department of Homeland Security).b.
Worksite Enforcement. Conducts investigations focusing on unscrupulous employers involved in criminal activity or worker exploitation. Employer violations involve alien smuggling, document fraud, human rights abuses and other immigration and customs infringements (Department of Homeland Security).Majority of the challenges presented by the mission of homeland security are omnipresent. They affect the personal safety and well-being of every American citizen and impact every area of the country’s political. financial, transportation, health, and legal systems (M.
C. Sauter). As former Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge remarked, “Homeland security encompasses the food we eat and water we drink; the air we breathe; the energy we use; the banking and finance systems that ensure our prosperity; our transportation and public health systems; and the new frontier of cyberspace.” (Ridge)The Department of Homeland Security’s main role in a free and democratic American society is to act as a catalyst in coordinating the nation’s concerted efforts in protecting every American citizen from acts of terrorism and natural and man-made catastrophes, while ensuring that human rights and civil liberties are respected and preserved. On October 9, 2007, an updated National Strategy for Homeland Security was issued. It outlined the concepts which will serve as a guide in organizing and consolidating the Nation’s homeland security efforts.
Four goals have been set as a common framework:1. Prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks. The DHS works to deny terrorists and terrorist related weapons and materials entry into the country, disrupt their ability to operate within U.S. soil and prevent the emergence of violent Islamic radicalization, denying the terrorists future recruits and defeating homegrown extremism.2.
Protect the American people. Includes the preservation of the nation’s critical infrastructure and key resources. Critical infrastructure includes assets, systems or networks, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, public health or safety. Key resources are publicly or privately controlled resources essential to the minimal operations of the economy and the government.3. Respond to and recover from incidents that do occur.
When needed, the DHS will provide the best response by tapping into the Nation’s full capabilities and resources, laying the foundation not only for a strong recovery in the short term but also for the rebuilding and revitalization of affected communities and regions in the long term. This is crucial to reducing the psychological, social, and economic effects of an incident. Ultimately, response, recovery, and rebuilding efforts are tightly intertwined, each tapping into the resilience of the American spirit and the determination to endure and become stronger in the face of adversity.4. Continue to strengthen the foundation to ensure long term success.
Foster a culture of preparedness that permeates all levels of society.The first three goals aid in organizing the nation’s efforts, while the last aims to create and transform homeland security principles, systems, structures, and institutions. While the country must continue to focus on the fight against the unrelenting and ever-changing terrorist menace, it should be recognized that natural and man-made disasters also have an implication on homeland security. As the War on Terror is waged here and abroad, the nation also endured Hurricane Katrina, the most destructive natural disaster in U.S. history.
The human suffering and physical destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina became a reminder that threats not only come from terrorism but also from natural calamities. Despite worldwide efforts to disrupt terrorist plots and inhibit al Qaeda’s ability to strike the homeland, it remains as the most serious and dangerous threat, driven by murderous intent to attack targets in U.S. soil. Although they have been driven out of their safe haven in Afghanistan and disrupted their network of operatives, the group was able to save their top leaders, acquired new recruits and found a new safe haven in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.A host of other groups pose a threat to homeland security, including the Hizballah.
They have conducted anti-U.S. attacks outside the United States and is responsible for more American deaths prior to 9/11. Hizballah may consider attacking the homeland if it sees that the United States is posing as a threat to the group or its principal sponsor, Iran. The emergence of homegrown radicalization and violent Islamic extremism within its borders has become another cause of concern. The DHS continues its efforts in defeating this threat by working alongside with Muslim American communities.
White supremacist groups, animal rights extremists, and eco-terrorist groups among others, constitute a threat that the DHS intends to address. The United States, with its varied population, geography and landscape, has its on share of natural hazards and disasters. Naturally occurring diseases brought by increased human contact with animals, global travel and commerce cause widespread economic and social disruptions. Hurricanes account for seven out of ten costly disasters in U.S. history, including Hurricane Katrina.
Earthquakes and tornadoes also continue to be a part of the hazards that the nation face. Floods have become the most recurring and most damaging natural disaster for the past century. In addition, wildfires remain a persistent hazard throughout the many regions of the United States.The nation has remained vulnerable to catastrophic domestic accidents that involve industrial hazards and infrastructure failures.
These include numerous chemical spills that occur each year with significant public health and environmental repercussions. Homeland security is a national effort with goals and responsibility being shared by all level of government, the private and non-profit sectors, communities and individual citizens. This is not just a federal effort. Washington may rally the nation but the frontline of terrorism lies in the 50 states and four territories, 3,000 counties and 18,000 municipalities of this great nation.
