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HM501

Unit6 DQ

Part 1

Topic 1: Lessons Learned (Respond below)

As you contemplate how to restructure DHS, are there any lessons learned from the creation of FEMA that can provide guidance on how to restructure DHS?

Part 2

Topic 1: Student Response #1 (Respond to Carly)

Carly Adams

One thing that should not happen to FEMA is the taking away of their responsibilities. During DHS's creation FEMA lost some of its important agencies and mission that were put under other agencies in DHS. As we saw with Hurricane Katrina those agencies and missions are best left under FEMA. DHS has given a good portion of their funding to FEMA but has decreased FEMA's funding over the years. Allocating appropriate funding to FEMA will cause them to. be more effective in dealing with disasters.

Bullock, J.A., Haddow, G.D., Coppola, D.P. (2018). Homeland security: The essentials. (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann.

Topic 1: Student Response #2 (Respond to Diego)

Diego Salgado

Lessons Learned

            Since Former President Jimmy Carter consolidated all federal programs into a single agency, The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has done an excellent job of adjusting to the never-ending natural, man-made, and terrorist threats faced by the United States every day. FEMA has encountered many issues since its creation, but one lesson learned that could provide guidance on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) restructuring is the constant change from an all-hazards approach to a single focus. Bullock et al. (2018) stated, “With the election of President Ronald Reagan in 1980, the focus of FEMA’s policies and programs shifted dramatically from an all-hazards approach to a single focus on nuclear attack planning through its Office of National Preparedness” (p. 388). Thus, a fluctuation focus on low-probability / high-impact events was at some point FEMA’s failure to effectively and adequately respond to several disasters.

             In my opinion, it would be vital for DHS to continue to focus its efforts and systems on an all-hazards approach. Hurricane Katrina is a constant reminder for all emergency management agencies across the Nation of how important it is for the United States government to focus and have an all-hazards approach. When the DHS took ownership of FEMA, it created many conflicts of interest because DHS systems were focused on a single hazard approach. Bullock et al. (2021) further explained how FEMA’s funding that supported local and state emergency plans became part of a funding reallocation requested of FEMA by DHS management to support other DHS priorities. In the end, it would be critical for DHS to continue to learn from FEMA’s struggles and not to let history repeat itself. Focus on an all-hazards approach and continue to nurture relationships to create excellent communication and an adequate response from all agencies and departments.

References

Bullock. J. A., Haddow, G.D., & Coppola, D.P. (2018). Homeland Security: The Essentials.    (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann.

Haddow, G. D., Bullock, J. A., & Coppola, D. P. (Eds.). (2021). Introduction to emergency

management (Seventh ed.). Elsevier.

 

Part 1

Topic 2: Reflect and Discuss

Now that you have completed this course, reflect on the outcomes as well as your personal goals for the course. This is not intended to be a mere recap of the course. The emphasis here is what you have personally learned and how it will affect your professional goals. Discussing what you have learned during the term will not only help you better process the information but will help you enhance each other’s learning experience. Please reflect on the previous units and post a response that addresses the following questions:

· What prior knowledge did you bring to this course?

· What were the most important new ideas you encountered and how did they change your understanding of this class?

· Do feel you have met the outcomes in your work on this course? Is there any outcome with which you feel you still need support or assistance?

· What have you learned from your discussions and collaborations with your fellow students?

· In what specific ways can you use the knowledge you have gained in this course in your chosen profession? What are your strengths and opportunities for growth in this area?

· What questions or concerns do you have about what you have studied?

· What areas of the subject would you like to continue to explore, and why?

Part 2

Topic 2: Student Response #1 (Respond to Diego)

Diego Salgado

 

Reflection

Coming into the course, I had no previous knowledge of Homeland Security Policies, Principles, Procedures, and Plans other than a few classes I took a few years ago. These past six weeks have improved my knowledge and understanding about the Department of Homeland Security, threats and hazards, and the integration of agencies. In addition, It was impressive to learn how much effort it takes for DHS, intelligence, and emergency response to coordinate at the federal, state, local, and private sectors to come together as one and aid one another.

            The overall outcome of this course was excellent; I feel more knowledgeable and educate about emergency responsiveness and preparation. In the future, it will be beneficial to learn a little more about terrorism as the United States faces multiple threats, domestically and internationally. Additionally, the discussions helped me see everyone's points of view and opinions. It was fascinating to read what some of my peers think, and in return, it helped me further understand the question posted during the course.

            There are many ways the information learned during these past weeks can assist me during an emergency. As a military police officer and emergency responder, I found it very beneficial to know how to further coordinate with the private, local, state, and federal governments during any disaster. Currently, the military emergency responder team has a plan for hurricanes mostly because that is the main threat for the state of Hawaii. Thus, learning through FEMA's failures during Katrina has to help my team considered changes from a single focus plan to an all-hazards approach.

            At this time, I have no questions or concerns about what was covered during the course. All the questions were answered by the professor and through the assigned reading or peers' discussion pots. However, it would be beneficial to learn more about terrorism because it is a threat The United States will continue to face for an eternity.

Topic 2: Student Response #2 (Respond to Kenneth)

Kenneth Battersby

Hello All, 

So this was my 7th class going for my Masters degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management and have a bachelors in the same degree so I would like to think that I entered this class with a little knowledge. I would say that most of my classes followed more of the structure of things and this class truly got me to question whether the structure was right or wrong. We see things everyday and take them at face value and rarely ever question whether the structure or process is right. Coming into this class I thought it was great that FEMA was under the DHS and leaving this class I don't believe I feel the same way anymore. This class truly opened my eyes to several areas of the DHS and disaster relief. I truly enjoy reading everyone's posts and their insightful conclusions and answers to the discussion questions. I am currently the security manager for my squadron in the Air Force so I use some of the knowledge I gained from this class everyday, including question processes and structural organization of agencies. As of right now I have no questions in regards to what I have studied but do have a concern of writing 15 pages for the final paper haha. I plan on focusing a little more in depth on emergency management.