Introduction
The September 2011 attacks were by far the most heinous terrorist activity ever to be carried out on US soil, and its implications were far-fetched. Immediately after the attack, the US waged a full-scale war against terrorists worldwide and advanced its policies to strengthen the security of individuals within its borders. The new changes saw the establishment of massive intergovernmental agencies and programs to oversee set initiatives. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is one of the several bureaucracies formed to tackle the issues of rising insecurity due to external powers and potential facilitators within the US. Since then, the organization has worked with several other national and international law enforcement agencies and community members against terrorist threats. Generally, the emergency management strategies that the organization adopts include; mitigation, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. The following paragraphs explain the nexus of homeland security and terrorism concerning their responsibilities in abolishing terrorism and emergency management.
Prevention and Mitigation
Emergencies due to terrorism are often unprecedented and sudden, resulting in higher levels of destruction and life loss, especially with limited mitigation and prevention frameworks. Mitigation in terrorism-associated emergency management refers to the efforts taken to minimize the loss of lives and property by reducing the implications of disasters (McEntire, 2019). Prevention refers to the measures taken to ensure that terrorists do not achieve their goal of harming individuals or destroying property (Beckner, 2021). Prevention and mitigation strategies go hand in hand because they utilize similar resources and reinforce each other’s effectiveness. Thus, the DHS prioritizes terrorism mitigation initiatives by adopting high levels of risk assessment and taking structural and non-structural measures to limit incidents and curb destruction.
Generally, the DHS adopts a community-policing approach toward preventing terrorist activities by actively involving US citizens. Individuals at the community level are best positioned to inform law enforcement of suspicious activities and mobilize security officials to act on time. At the local level, the organization liaises and collaborates with security officials and local leaders to oversee legislation and guidelines on terrorism activities and radicalization (Goldberg & Christopher, 2019). In addition, it facilitates inter-state collaboration in matters regarding terrorism, terrorist activities, and punishing those involved in these acts. However, at the international level, the institution acts with other actors to advance interventions used to identify and thwart terrorist activities (Beckner, 2021). Thus, it enables the adoption of evidence-based solutions to curb the terrorism menace between allied nations.
A terrorism risk assessment is critical in vulnerability management and the prevention of activities because it helps identify gaps in security protocol and response. The ultimate goal of risk assessment initiatives is to identify the key assets that might be involved, evaluate emerging threats and their vulnerability, and take steps to eliminate risks or mitigate their implications (Gaines & Kappeler, 2019). In the case of terrorism, assets are described as any valuable facility, system, or event in a particular jurisdiction that can attract terrorist activities. However, the term also extends to the general population as they are at risk of being affected by radicalization and violent extremism (McEntire, 2019). As a result, the risk assessment programs that the DHS facilitates are monitoring for radicalization, identifying threats of violence, and limiting the spread of extremism. In addition, it has channeled several resources to security surveillance using cutting-edge technologies, especially for border patrols, to ensure that terrorists do not perform their activities underground.
The non-structural mitigation initiatives that the DHS has developed involve placing the general community in a better position to react appropriately to terrorist attacks and escape unharmed. In particular, the DHS continuously advocates for built-in resilience, security planning, and the development of strategic informal settlements to assure fast assistance and access to amenities (Gaines & Kappeler, 2019). In addition, the DHS organizes community awareness and development programs to train members on the techniques to stay safe and what to do in case of an attack. Moreover, these programs inform shareholders of practical mitigation strategies and the best resource placement to enable the community to enhance its risk-reduction capabilities.
Terrorists generally target highly populated centers because they aim at causing more destruction and increase the effectiveness of their weapons. As a result, the DHS also provides guidelines to facilitate structural adaptations, especially in busy city centers, and increased resilience of structures to terrorist activities. For example, the organization liaises with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in providing access to a reference manual detailed with strategies to mitigate the risk and implications of terrorism on buildings (Skinner, 2021). Moreover, the instructions provide reliable information about how to plan and set up residential areas to minimize destruction and loss of lives by facilitating easier movement and safe grounds. As a result, their initiatives bring together building scientists, engineers, architects, and community members who work together to ensure appropriate building and design standards.
Preparedness
Terrorism preparedness involves setting up strategies to anticipate and react to terror threats with limited casualties. According to the DHS, preparedness refers to a continuous cycle of organizing, planning, training, exercising, equipping, evaluating, and taking corrective measures to ensure fast and effective coordination after a terrorist incident (Gaines & Kappeler, 2019). Thus, the organization suggests that preparedness is a shared community responsibility and should include the contributions of all members including private, non-profit, faith-based, federal, state, local governments, and humanitarian organizations (Harbour, 2020). As a result, DHS makes it its mission to facilitate coordination between these players in planning, assessment, resource allocation, and implementation of initiatives towards a more resilient environment with limited risks to adverse implications due to terrorist acts.
Terrorism is associated with several risks and poses unimaginable challenges as perpetrators strive to meekly carry out their activities without detection. As a result, the main goal of the DHS toward preparedness is to ensure a resilient and secure nation by equipping the community with the tools and information to prevent, protect, respond, mitigate, and recover from terrorist attacks (Harbour, 2020). Thus, the DHS assists shareholders in designing effective strategies for protecting assets, avoiding loss of life and property, responding promptly to human needs, and timely restoration in case of unavoidable circumstances. The DHS implements core capabilities in all its mission areas, which include planning, public information and warning, and operational coordination (Harrald, 2019). However, these capabilities are static and go through occasional vetting and improvements to ensure that they align with the levels of threat and risks caused by terrorism activities.
The DHS prioritizes community education and outreach initiatives in the form of exercises to enhance preparedness structures and ensure their appropriate functioning. The organization carries out occasional homeland security exercises and emphasizes that community empowerment is the key to comprehensive terrorism preparedness. As a result, the institution provides communities with unmatched opportunities to step up their planning, assessment, and validation capabilities and resources to initiate various improvements (McEntire, 2019). Homeland security community exercises are led by guiding principles that ensure a common approach to program design, development, and management. In addition, the standards stipulate the conduct, evaluation procedures, and improvement planning initiatives. Using these guidelines, communities all over the UC can develop, implement, and assess their levels of preparedness and identify areas of improvement for the best results.
The DHS also works to enhance that nation’s resilience against terrorist attacks by focusing on four particular areas. These include adapting to constantly changing conditions, withstanding disruptions, ensuring speedy recovery, and preparedness at the individual level. The DHS has a department that is dedicated to ensuring resilience against acts of terrorism by building a culture of preparedness across all sectors through insurance, continuity, and grant programs (Harbour, 2020). In addition, the organization hosts an office of infrastructure protection that identifies open opportunities for critical infrastructure shareholders and security officials within the organization to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure resilience. Health resilience is also a major priority, facilitated by the institution’s office of health affairs (Harrald, 2019). Moreover, the office of infrastructure protection works with territorial governments, tribal, local state, and federal officials to design and implement building solutions that maximize the resilience and security of structures. These bodies ensure that all at-risk parties are equipped to handle and recover from terrorist threats.
Response
The DHS acknowledges that both domestic and international terrorism threats are evolving. As a result, it takes the initiative to continuously work on and improve the effectiveness of response strategies during and after an attack. Particularly, the organization works with state, federal, and local agencies to ensure a fast response to terrorism emergencies by coordinating efforts to ensure quick restoration of energy production, transport systems, telecommunications, critical infrastructure utilities, and distribution systems (Gaines & Kappeler, 2019). Similarly, organizes efforts toward fast restoration of public and private information systems after an attack as effective communication is critical to service delivery and associated operations (Goldberg & Christopher, 2019). In addition, the organization coordinates catering to the immediate costs of terrorism incidents, which include stabilizing financial markets, and providing financial aid, medicine, and shelter to affected families.
The DHS is also responsible for coordinating the first line of response after terrorist attacks. First-line respondents, constituting all military public health service, healthcare workers, and volunteers, play a major role in protecting citizens and limiting injuries or escalations due to terrorist attacks (Arfsten, 2020). Apart from ensuring that first-line respondents are adequately prepared to deliver on their obligations, the DHS collaborates with departments in various institutions to facilitate organized and effective communication. These communication channels are designed to cater to issues on the ground and at the dispatch offices to ensure seamless and faster operations toward minimizing destruction (Gaines & Kappeler, 2019). In addition, the DHS ensures the appropriate removal of residue from sites, which might include chemical, biological, explosive, radiological, or other hazardous materials that can pose harm to the population. Hence, they limit the adversities associated with terrorist attacks and prevent the occurrence of successive attacks.
One of the main responsibilities of the DHS in terrorism response is training non-medical and medical first-respondents. Response teams like the police and firefighters receive occasional training on how to react and ensure effectiveness after an attack. However, the DHS goes further to equip and train them on how to use technological solutions like automatic electronic deliberators to allow them to assist healthcare service providers and medical practitioners in common tasks (Harbour, 2020). Moreover, the DHS coordinates collaborative training initiatives to inform first-line respondents in different departments about how to maximize teamwork and operate smoothly. In addition, the organization offers training on bystander management and scene safety according to the protocol to minimize casualties, clear the scene, and prevent incidences.
Recovery
Terrorism is among the man-made disasters that can lead to extensive damage and loss of life. Therefore, its recovery process is time-consuming and complicated due to its grave implications. The DHS serves to improve response to disasters due to terrorism activities by providing communities with new technologies that optimize and streamline disaster recovery operations in affected areas (Skinner, 2021). In addition, it spearheads programs that accelerate the time taken to restore the critical functions and resources of a community. The institution achieves a faster recovery process through a damage assessment which guides the rebuilding and restoration initiatives. The DHS also oversees faster decision-making to ensure that victims do not experience limitations during the recovery process. Subsequently, they assist survivors in living a normal life after the adverse events.
The DHS works with FEMA to facilitate a smooth transition into normal life by assisting community members overwhelmed by the impact of terrorist disasters. For example, the organizations collaborate to obligate monetary aid to victims, individuals, and business owners affected by the attacks. Similarly, the organizations focus on specific individuals’ cases like unemployment assistance, legal services, crisis counseling, disaster case management, and other functions (Arfsten, 2020). In addition, it embarks on several initiatives to restore public places by rebuilding roads, restoring public facilities like schools and libraries, and ensuring the appropriate functioning of amenities like social parks and hospitals (Goldberg & Christopher, 2019). The ultimate aim of the DHS recovery process is to allow healing and enable the community to improve its resilience against future attacks. Thus, it ensures that all its initiatives are towards structural and non-structural improvements.
Conclusion
Since the September 11th attacks in 2001, the government’s mandate has seen the significant advancement of bodies dedicated to ensuring the security of individuals within US borders and their safety. The Department of Homeland Security is the pillar of the war against terrorism in the US and its allied nations as it brings together layers from different scopes and professions. The organization generally coordinates communication and collaboration between community members, the government, local authorities, and stakeholders at risk of terrorist attacks. The main initiatives of the organization include preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery from disasters due to terrorist attacks. However, within these duties, the organization is responsible for several other obligations including advocating for resource allocation, risk assessment, training, and enhancing community and building resilience. As a result, the institution collaborates with several key players including FEMA and national agencies to ensure interoperability, effective planning, and implementation of initiatives toward limiting terrorism and its implications. Moreover, these organizations work with victims to aid their recovery and facilitate improved living standards after terror attacks. Thus, it plays a major role in tackling the issue of terrorism in the US.
References
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Beckner, C. (2021). Reassessing Homeland Security Intelligence: A Review of the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis.Center for a New American Security. Web.
Gaines, L. K., & Kappeler, V. E. (2019). Homeland security and terrorism. New York: Pearson.
Goldberg, K., & Christopher, K. (2019). Community oriented policing: Security in the domestic counter terrorism environment.Journal of Business and Behavioral Sciences, 31(1), 114-124. Web.
Harbour, L. D. (2020). Aligning the National Preparedness Goal and FEMA’s National Preparedness Grants. Naval Postgraduate School Monterey CA.
Harrald, J. R. (2019). Emergency management restructured: Intended and unintended outcomes of actions taken since 9/11. In Emergency Management (pp. 167-189). Routledge.
McEntire, D. A. (2019). Introduction to homeland security: Understanding terrorism prevention and emergency management (2nd ed.) John Wiley & Sons.
Skinner, L. (2021). The Evolution of Federal Emergency Management and Planning Guidance: Changes since 9/11 and Katrina. In Principles of Emergency Management and Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) (pp. 21-56). CRC Press.