What does homeland security mean?
Defining what homeland security means in a broad spectrum is controversial. This could
mean and be anything that involves a threat to the U.S, American’s civil liberties, vital assets,
military facilities, and more. Additionally, Homeland security is seen as “the protection,
based on threat analysis, of domestic infrastructure and institutions whose vulnerability
significantly endangers civilian life and property” (Martin, 2017, p.5). In simpler terms this
allows for government officials to increase the level of protection domestically and abroad
among host nations.
What is the mission of homeland security?
The mission of homeland security is to “prevent terrorist attacks within the United States.
Reduce vulnerability of the United States to terrorism. Minimize the damage, and assist in
the recovery, from terrorist attacks that do occur within the United States. Carry out all
functions of entities transferred to the department, including by acting as a focal point regarding
natural and man-made crises and emergency planning Ensure that the functions of the agencies and
subdivisions within the department that are not related directly to securing the homeland are not
diminished or neglected except by a specific explicit act of Congress Ensure that the overall
economic security of the United States is not diminished by efforts, activities, and programs aimed at
securing the homeland Monitor connections between illegal drug trafficking and terrorism, coordinate
efforts to sever such connections, and otherwise contribute to efforts to interdict illegal drug
trafficking” (Nemeth , 2016, p.36).
How effective and efficient is homeland security?
Homeland security is extremely effective when all agencies, governments, NGOs, FBO’s,
and other entities are on the same page and communication is smooth. Data sharing since
9/11 has been imperative amongst CIA, FBI, NSA, DEA, and law enforcements as it is an
integral role in identifying the threat or possible threats. DHS acts as a repository for
information on all things concerning or of significance to the U.S Homeland. When
homeland security counterparts are proactive rather than reactive prior to an attack they are
undoubtedly effective and efficient. Their contributions and policy implementations since
9/11 and Katrina has gotten better, although not perfect or precise, they are moving in the
upward direction in evaluating and protecting the country’s primary infrastructure, including
floods and water systems, numerous health and emergency services, vast chemical and
defense industries, and transportation services (Nemeth, 2016).
What interests you the most about homeland security (what part of it) and why?
The phase I believe that interests me the most is that of preparedness. It is the most important
phase of emergency management operations to me because of the underlying basis of how well
the local, state, and federal governments prepared their communities. The outcome of a very
devastating/catastrophic disaster or hazard will be dictated on preparation. “Preparedness
involves developing a response plan and training first responders to save lives and reduce
disaster damage, identifying critical resources, and developing necessary agreements among
responding agencies, both within the jurisdiction and with other jurisdictions”(Sylves, 2015, p.5).
Conversely, I do not believe that the disaster relief system is effective just because of those
managing it and their leadership but because of the long-term policies and initiative they has
been implementing over time with families and the communities beforehand.
If you could fix any 1 thing completely within homeland security, what would it be
and why?
If I could fix one thing within homeland security it would be within the response phase. Time
and time again has shown that America’s governments are not well prepared for disasters. Their
response times are slow, lack of resources, and communication is broken. Government officials
try to look for people to blame, instead of looking for ways to respond and save lives. This is
what happened during Hurricane Katrina as the death toll increased to over 1800 people. Mass
amount of personnel were affected as the mayor and governor were not on the same page.
Response is huge as it dictates further destruction or increase casualties.
Explain why you picked this biblical passage and what it means to you.
The biblical passage that I chose was Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth
the countenance of his friend." This particular passage was chosen as it related to teamwork and
collaboration within homeland security. The agencies within the DHS have checks and balances
to meet for over-watch of the country. They must lend a hand to each other, challenge each other,
and assist one another to become better at the mission and the emergency management phases.
They can get more accomplished if the work in unison.
References
Holy Bible King James Version, Proverbs 27:17
Martin, G. (2017). Understanding homeland security (Second ed.). Los Angeles: SAGE.
Nemeth, C. P. (2016). Homeland security: An introduction to principles and practices (3rd ed.).
Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis (CRC Press). ISBN: 9781498749091.
