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Running Head: RESEARCH PAPER 1
Research Paper 1
Liberty University
Homeland Security Foundation
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RESEARCH PAPER 1
Introduction
The process of executing key steps when potential incidents may take place is an
important part of Homeland Security. Through Mitigation, Preparedness and Recovery these
phases all have an important role as it relates disasters and emergencies in the country. This
report will explain and examine each of these phases.
Mitigation
According to Frazier (2013), “Hazard mitigation procedures should include some form of
documentation during the stages of the planning process. Other areas that should be included are
the risk assessment of the area, which includes identifying and or profiling the hazards any
potential vulnerability; mitigation strategies that includes implementation, mitigation actions and
the goals. Lastly, a maintenance piece that includes: monitoring, evaluations and updates that
will further public involvement.”
Emergency Management isn’t generally known for the Intelligence sector; however, there
have been significant efforts to help evolve the collaboration between Emergency Management
and Intelligence and addressing the issues with policy and practice (Schulz, 2013). Agencies
such as, the U.S. Military and the various law enforcement organizations, are tasked with
training the emergency managers, and in those trainings, should include a segment of
Intelligence, so that resources and availability of help could be utilizes in all areas of disasters
(Schulz, 2013). The importance of better Intelligence practices could not be underestimated. In
regards to Emergency Management, a joined communication with the Intelligence sector could
potential lead to expanding prevention of future disasters and support for those responding to
those disasters. The effect could bring a more cohesive all-hazard community (Schulz, 2013).
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Avoid, reduce and transfer are all strategies used to assist in the mitigation process. Once
a potential risk is identified, the beginning of implementing mitigation strategies takes place.
These strategies are corresponding activities for handling the threats and monitoring and
evaluating those plans (Schenkelberg, 2017). For each strategy, there are several different
categories of risks. In addition, the prevention risk is another planned process within mitigation.
Of course prevention of natural disasters is not always cut and dry and isn’t always an easy task;
however, the prevention of damages within potential affected areas and regarding citizens can be
an easier undertaking. This is what makes the steps within the mitigation process important in
prevention of manmade disasters.
Preparedness
Homeland Security developed three vital make ups for the process of being prepared for a
disaster. The Homeland Security created the National Response Framework (NRF), the National
Incident Management (NIMS), and the Incident Command System (ICS). To start, the NRF was
developed to assist all the levels of government and also thee resources to bring assistance to
local authorities when emergencies or major disasters. “The NRF is built on scalable, flexible,
and adaptable concepts identified in the National Incident Management System to align key roles
and responsibilities across the Nation.” (FEMA,2018)
NIMS introduced a template that would be utilized nationally to address disasters
(Kapucu & Garayev, 2012). “NIMS guides all levels of government, nongovernmental
organizations (NGO), and the private sector to work together to prevent, protect against,
mitigate, respond to, and recover from incidents. NIMS provide stakeholders across the whole
community with the shared vocabulary, systems, and processes to successfully deliver the
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capabilities described in the National Preparedness System.” (FEMA, 2018). Ultimately NIMS
was introducing a more rounded approach in terms of approaching incident response. This
approached identified vital response principals and described how the government and
community partnership could work together.
ICS incorporates a collection of equipment, procedures, facilities and communications.
According to the FEMA website, “The Incident Command System (ICS) is a management
system designed to enable effective and efficient domestic incident management by integrating a
combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating
within a common organizational structure. ICS is normally structured to facilitate activities in
five major functional areas: command, operations, planning, logistics, Intelligence &
Investigations, finance and administration. It is a fundamental form of management, with the
purpose of enabling incident managers to identify the key concerns associated with the incident
—often under urgent conditions—without sacrificing attention to any component of the
command system.” (FEMA, 2019)
Recovery
In regards to the recovery phase, helping those that were impacted during an incident is a
part of Homeland Security’s responsibilities. In addition to being prepared and ready to take
action before the disaster or emergency occurs, it’s also necessary to have a plan in place after an
incident takes place. The Response and Recovery phase ultimately places emphases on bringing
things back to normal (such as communities, building and landscape) following an incident. This
involves the development of plans, technologies, capabilities, and tools for remediation. The goal
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is to put decision support tools into the hands of urban and rural emergency planners and first
responders.
To lessen the damage that might occur; Homeland Security must have a strong front so
the emergency preparedness plan is effective. According to the FEMA website, it states, “The
National Disaster Recovery Framework introduces six new Recovery Support Functions that
provide a structure to facilitate problem solving, improve access to resources, and foster
coordination among State and Federal agencies, nongovernmental partners and stakeholders.”
Those six functions are: Community Planning and Capacity Building (CPCB) Recovery Support
Function, Economic Recovery Support Function, Health and Social Services Recovery Support
Function, Housing Recovery Support Function, Infrastructure Systems Recovery Support
Function and Natural and Cultural Resources Recovery Support Function.
“Each Recovery Support Function has coordinating and primary Federal agencies and
supporting organizations that operate together with local, State and Tribal government officials,
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and private sector partners. The Recovery Support
Function coordinated by FEMA is Community Planning Capacity Building.” Ultimately, the
objective of the recovery and its functions are to assist the identification, coordination and
delivery of Federal aid which is necessary to help provide and potentially increase recovery
resources and efforts by local, State, Tribal and Territorial governments, as well as private and
nonprofit sectors.
Biblical Perspective
Each of the disaster phases can bring an interesting aspect in the biblical outlook. To start
mitigation, which can either minimize or completing eliminate disaster effects can have a
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broader outlook. In the bible verse Matthew 5:9 (NIV ) reminds me of how through mitigation
peace can be brought and there is relief that can be delivered after a disaster. Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
states, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” This bible verse is
impactful because it gives one hope and an extra belief that God can and will see us through
anything.
Next is preparedness, which the bible verse Matthew 24:44 (ESV) comes to mind, this
verse states: “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do
not expect.” Realistically, many disasters cannot be avoided. This is why preparedness is an
important phase in the process. Organizations, government and each citizen must have a plan in
place that can alleviate some damage that can help the response activity. Another bible verse that
can be toward is Peter 3:15 (ESV), “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”
Lastly, with recovery it is important because it is bringing back affected areas and citizen
back to that normal state (Solveig & Sigbornsson, 2014). Isaiah 41:17 (NIV) states, "The poor
and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the
LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.” Recovery can be a
community effort. Yes, when looking at what Homeland Security is supposed to provide and aid
in the rebuilding of its structures; neighbors can assist with donations and volunteering to make
the process a collective effort. Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIV) states, "Two are better than one; because
they have a good reward for their labor." When peopele work together, their strength can be
increases and much can be accomplished when working as a team. They also gain the
significance of having worked in unison, thus creating harmony.
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References
Bellavita, Christopher. “Changing Homeland Security: What is Homeland Security?.” Homeland
Security Affairs 4, Article 1 (June 2008). https://www.hsaj.org/articles/118
FEMA. (2018). Incident Command System Resources. Retrieved from:
https://www.fema.gov/incident-command-system-resources
Frazier, P., Smith, G., & Lyles, W. (2012). Planning for Resiliency: Evaluation of State Hazard
Mitigation Plans under the Disaster Mitigation Act. American Society of Civil Engineers,
139-149.
Kapucu, N., & Garayev, V. (2012). Designing, Managing, and Sustaining Functionally
Collaborative Emergency Management Networks. The American Review of Public
Administration, 312-330.
Schulz, W.N. (2013, September). Improving the All-Hazards Homeland Security Enterprise
Through the Use of an Emergency Management Intelligence Model. Naval Postgraduate
School, Monterey, CA.
Solveig Thorvaldsdottir, M., & Sigbjornsson, R. (2014). Disaster-Function Management: Basic
Principles. Natural Hazards Review, 48-57.
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