Homeland Security Overview 1
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
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HOMELAND SECURITY OVERVIEW
Submitted to Dr. McAteer
by
Evan Sirota
Homeland Security Overview 2
Abstract
Homeland security is a discipline that is of utmost importance in today’s society. The field is
constantly evolving and transforming to better tackle and be prepared for existing, as well as new
and emerging threats. Within the field of homeland security is emergency management.
Emergency management within the United States is comprised of four main pillars or phases.
These phases are mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Each phase is unique and
consists of strategies and elements for all stakeholders; whether businesses, communities, local
governments, state governments, federal governments, state agencies, and more to be better
prepared for hazards. Comprehending these four stages of emergency management will better
help one be ready for and answer to emergencies in a more intelligent and informed way. Settling
on the correct decisions during such an event will provide one the best opportunity of survival
and recuperation following an unexpected hazard. All emergency management phases can be
found within biblical scripture as it is God’s will.
Homeland Security Overview 3
Homeland Security Overview
Homeland security as a field, focuses on both counterterrorism and emergency management
functions. Within the Department of Homeland Security in the United States, there is an agency
known as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which was founded in 1979 and has
since lead the nation in emergency management. Emergency management is a broad topic
though, so it is important to understand what it really is. According to FEMA, “emergency
management is the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which
communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. It seeks to promote safer,
less vulnerable communities with the capacity to cope with hazards and disasters.”1 Both FEMA
and other stakeholders across America utilize the four phases of emergency management as they
are critical to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from all hazards such as
terrorism, unexpected disasters, pandemics, and natural disasters.
Mitigation
Mitigation is the first phase or pillar of the emergency management cycle. It is a crucial and
important function of homeland security. Mitigation can be defined as “the effort to reduce loss
of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters”.2 Mitigation, as being the first phase of
the cycle, is an element that takes place before a disaster, terrorist attack, or hazard takes place.
This phase of mitigation focuses on preventing future disasters while at the same time taking
measures to minimize their impact and effects. Thus, this pillar should be taken into
consideration prior to any event occurring.
1 FEMA Higher Education. Emergency Management Institute. (n.d.).
2 Mitigation. DHS. (2022, May 20).
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“Mitigation activities address either or both of the two components of risk, which are
probability (likelihood) and consequence. By mitigating either of these components, the risk
becomes much less of a threat to the affected population.”3 This is known as risk assessment,
which is one of the most important aspects of mitigation. After risk assessment is conducted,
mitigation strategies have to take into consideration what kind of disaster is going to occur or
could possibly occur. When it comes to disasters or hazards, only some are preventable by
human intervention. For these such incidents, mitigation steps and strategies are pivotal to lessen
the probability and consequences. For other disasters that are nearly impossible for human
activity to prevent, mitigation focuses on lessening the damage caused.
There are a number of mitigation actions that individuals, private companies, government
bodies, and communities can take to lessen the impact of an event. FEMA breaks down
suggested mitigation actions for an all hazard approach into four steps: (1) identifying and
organizing resources; (2) conducting a risk or threat assessment and estimating losses; (3)
identifying mitigation measures that will reduce the effects of the hazards and creating a strategy
to deal with the mitigation measures in priority order; and (4) implementing the measures,
evaluating the results, and keeping the plan up to date.4 An example of mitigation in one’s
everyday life can be seen with something as simple as fire insurance for one's home. This
mitigation action can lessen the burden of a catastrophic fire that burnt down one’s home.
Preparedness
3 Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., & Coppola, D. P. (2013). Mitigation, Prevention, and Preparedness.
Introduction to Homeland Security, 435–494.
4 Ibid
Homeland Security Overview 5
The second phase in homeland security’s emergency management cycle is known as
preparedness. This phase is similar to that of mitigation and sometimes lumped together. Both
phases are conducted prior to an event. “Preparedness is defined by DHS/FEMA as "a
continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking
corrective action in an effort to ensure effective coordination during incident response.”5 By and
large, preparedness actions can be portrayed as the human part of pre-disaster management. The
most well-known preparedness actions include formal training and education. An example of this
can be seen with the fire alarm training and procedures that schools across America are required
to conduct.
As a formal and national strategy, FEMA has three components or frameworks that better help
with preparedness. Each one of these components has unique functions and responsibilities for
preparedness strategies against disasters and terrorism. The first is known as the National
Response Framework (NRF). The National Response Framework is a guide to how the United
States conducts all-hazards response. The NRF is built upon scalable, flexible, and adaptable
coordinating structures to align key roles and responsibilities across the country.6
The next component is the National Incident Management System (NIMS). This part of the
preparedness strategy produced a formal template for all stakeholders across the nation to resort
to. NIMS, under the agency of FEMA, directs all degrees of government, nongovernmental
associations (NGO), and the private industries to cooperate. The third piece of the puzzle is
known as the Incident Command System (ICS). “ICS is a standardized approach to the
command, control, and coordination of on-scene incident management that provides a common
5 Plan and Prepare for Disasters. Plan and Prepare for Disasters | Homeland Security. (n.d.).
6 National Response Framework. FEMA. (2008).
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hierarchy within which personnel from multiple organizations can be effective.”7 In other words,
the Incident Command System is a normalized component that is on location of the disaster or
incident with an all-risk incident management framework. It is constructed in a way that permits
its clients to take on an incorporated authoritative structure to match the intricacies and requests
of incidents without being prevented by jurisdictional limits. Throughout the bible, God preaches
about being prepared. There are plenty of examples of this throughout scripture, including Noah
building an Ark under God’s command for the flood. There are plenty of bible verses that talk
about being prepared as well, one that is well liked is “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as
holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope
that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (Peter 3:15).
Recovery
The recovery phase of emergency management under the discipline of homeland security
takes place after the event or incident occurs. In this stage of the cycle, the objective is to focus
on rebuilding what has been damaged or lost. It is vital that there are plans and practices in place
to help best recover from disasters, whether local or national. These recovery efforts usually
require mass amounts of resources, finances, and logistical support. The ability to recover from
disasters, or resiliency, is an effort that needs to be undertaken by all stakeholders including the
private sector. Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) is one well known method and
strategy used in the recovery phase. COOP is the term used mostly by public entities for planning
strategies that create resilience and allow services to continue to be provided in the face
challenges such as a disaster or threat.8 The phase of recovery is not one that happens or is
7 National Incident Management System - FEMA. (2017).
8 Continuity of Operations (COOP)/ business continuity planning. ASPR TRACIE. (n.d.).
Homeland Security Overview 7
completed quickly. This phase usually takes time and can take several months and sometimes
years to complete.
Response
The emergency management cycle also includes a response phase. This phase typically falls
directly after the incident occurs. It is a reactionary response to an emergency event that takes
place. “They are actions carried out immediately before, during, and immediately after a hazard
impact, saving lives, reducing economic losses, and alleviating suffering.”9 The response plan
should be pre-planned from the preparedness strategy which is laid out by the community,
agency, government building, hospital, or wherever the incident occurs. It should also be flexible
though, as situations and disasters are not predictable.
One of the main elements of the response is mobilizing all emergency personnel such as first
responders to the scene of the event. The first order of business is to save lives and protect
human life as well as save property. Response plans may also include command centers to
coordinate the response such as an ICS. Another element of the response may be evacuation, if
needed. This is an important step in the response strategy that will help save lives. Search and
rescue are also vital safety measures that may need to be implemented in certain emergencies.
Another step in the response phase may be opening up shelters for those that need to stay
somewhere if their home is unlivable at the moment. God’s will, which is explained through
biblical scripture, talks about helping others and risking one's lives for others. First responders do
such courageous activities daily and set forth great examples of God’s soldiers. “My command is
9 Phases of emergency management. Phases of Emergency Management | Monroe County, FL - Official
Website. (n.d.).
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this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s
life for one’s friends” (John 15:12-13).
Conclusion
Emergency management is a key element of homeland security. Some would argue that it is
the most important function and should be the primary concern of the Department of Homeland
Security. While the federal government plays a significant role in such activities, it is also vital
that the other stakeholders such as local governments, state governments, private businesses and
more also do their part. It should be a team effort with a clear strategy and goal. Having open
lines of communication and cooperation amongst the stakeholders is what will allow for
successful emergency management tasks. Having faith in God and with his love and will, we will
prevail in times of disaster. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the
sea” (Psalm 46:1-2).
References
Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., & Coppola, D. P. (2013). Mitigation, Prevention, and
Preparedness. Introduction to Homeland Security, 435–494.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-415802-3.00010-5
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Continuity of Operations (COOP)/ business continuity planning. ASPR TRACIE. (n.d.).
Retrieved June 1, 2022, from https://asprtracie.hhs.gov/technical-
resources/17/continuity-of-operations-coop-business-continuity-planning/110
FEMA Higher Education. Emergency Management Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2022,
from https://training.fema.gov/hiedu/
Mitigation. DHS. (2022, May 20). Retrieved June 1, 2022, from
https://www.in.gov/dhs/emergency-management-and-preparedness/mitigation-and-
recovery/
National Incident Management System - FEMA. (2017). Retrieved June 1, 2022, from
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/fema_nims_doctrine-2017.pdf
National Response Framework. FEMA. (2008). Retrieved June 1, 2022, from
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nrf/nrf-core.pdf
Phases of emergency management. Phases of Emergency Management | Monroe County, FL
- Official Website. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2022, from https://www.monroecounty-
fl.gov/892/Phases-of-Emergency-Management
Plan and Prepare for Disasters. Plan and Prepare for Disasters | Homeland Security. (n.d.).
Retrieved June 1, 2022, from https://www.dhs.gov/plan-and-prepare-disasters
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