Homeland Security Overview 1
Homeland Security Overview
The importance of the flow of the Homeland Security processes for implementing
efficient steps to take for any incident reflects on how these processes are planned. Throughout
this paper, the different approaches will be discussed. The explanation of the Homeland Security
process will be explored in the sections of mitigation, preparedness, and recovery.
Hazard Mitigation
“Hazard mitigation plans must include documentation of the planning process; a risk
assessment of the area identifying and profiling hazards and assessing general vulnerability;
mitigation strategies, which encompass goals, and identification and implementation of
mitigation actions; and a maintenance section, which includes monitoring, evaluating, and
updating the plan and continued public involvement.”[Fra13]
Intelligence usage can be implemented by conducting secure pathways with police and
other law enforcement agencies. These threats and incidents can range from a terrorist threat,
terrorist attacks and other security breaches. Mock security breaches can be done to ensure when
a true incident happens a concrete place will be in place.
“Mitigations strategies are to coordinated activities related to risk assessment,
dentification and implementation of mitigation strategies, and monitoring and evaluation of
mitigation performance by supporting the development of local mitigation plans and providing
technical assistance to local governments.”[Ber12] Prevention of risks is also planned for in the
mitigation process. “While a complete assessment of local capacities for crisis mitigation
involves evaluation of measures taken in all stages of the crisis management cycle (prevention,
preparedness, response, and recovery), this analysis is limited to efforts promoting better
community planning and preparation.”[Noh15] The Bible verse Matthew 5:9 describes
mitigation as “"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” [Bib]
Preparedness
There are three main divisions of the preparedness design. The National Response
Framework It was created for response to incidents. “The role is to understand domestic incident
Homeland Security Overview 2
roles, responsibilities, relationships. Respond effectively to any type of incident.” [Ste11] The
National Incident Management System “proposes a nationwide template to address
disasters.”[Kap12] ) The National Incident Management System establishes a complete approach
to domestic incident response. “It identifies key response principles, and describes how
communities, states, federal government partners work together using these principles.” [Ste11]
The National Incident Management System encourages unified command within the different
levels jurisdictions. [Cha171] The Incident Command System has five steps: Command function,
Planning function, Operations function, Logistics function and the Finance/Administrative
function. “The ICS is mandated for use by all responding organizations to all hazard events
regardless of their geographic scope, duration, or complexity. Thus, responders should employ
the ICS daily in response to emergencies such as house fires, traffic accidents, and water-main
breaks, and to non-routine hazard events such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and terrorist
attacks.”[Jen16] As stated in the Bible, Philippians 2:4 “do not merely look out for your own
personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” [Bib] The whole community must work
together to achieve the goal of being prepared for any incident. Preparedness can be
accomplished through the strength of God and community faith in each other that through God
and his path any task such as preparedness can be done.
Recovery
Using the best practices to instill resiliency in any emergency preparedness plan is
essential. If the structure of the plan is not enforced well, then when an incident occurs it will not
be carried out effectively. A strong team must oversee each level of the recovery checkpoints.
This “could promote consistent interpretations and responsive information sharing between
emergency management collaborators and their different systems, or combinations of activities.”
[Ber12] Aspects of resilience are: “Wellness, which promotes pre-and post-incident population
Homeland Security Overview 3
health, including behavioral health, Access, ensures access to high-quality health, behavioral
health, and social services, Education, provides ongoing information to the public about
preparedness, risks, and resources before, during, and after a disaster, Partnership, develops
strong partnerships within and between government and nongovernmental organizations,
Engagement, promotes participatory decision-making in planning, response, and recovery
activities, and Self Sufficiency, enable and support individuals and communities to assume
responsibility for their preparedness.”[Ani13] Operations planning for not only emergency
preparedness but also for recovery can “reduce a community’s vulnerabilities that, if ignored, can
render emergency response and recovery difficult.”[Ani13] The Bible says in Proverbs
11:14,"Where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is
safety."[Bib] The community is better as a whole planning and being more resilient together in
the path of the God rather than walking by themselves alone with a chance to fail along the way.
The second passage says in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy
thoughts shall be established.”[Bib] Thinking and having faith that God will be alongside you in
your journey and will help instill the faith in the recovery preparedness and actions of the
emergency management plan.
Biblical Perspective
“The four disaster phases and their logical order: first, mitigation to lessen or eliminate
disaster effects; then, preparedness to fill in where mitigation cannot reduce the effects; next,
emergency response after a disaster; and, finally, recovery, bringing the affected area back to its
normal state.”[Sól14]
“Mitigation includes any activities that actually eliminate or reduce the probability of
occurrence of a disaster. It includes long-term activities designed to reduce the effects of
unavoidable disaster.” [Sól14] The Bible says in John 14:1, “Let not your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God; believe also in me.”[Bib] Have faith in any trouble that is put in your path.
Homeland Security Overview 4
“Preparedness: Preparedness activities are necessary to the extent that mitigation
measures have not, or cannot, prevent disasters. In the preparedness phase, governments,
organizations, and individuals develop plans to save lives and minimize disaster damage
Preparedness measures also seek to enhance disaster response operations.” [Sól14] The Bible
says in Peter 3:15, “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.”[Bib] Preparing for an disaster can be stressful, but if you follow the path
of God you will have Him to lean on.
“Response: Response activities follow an emergency or disaster. Generally, they are
designed to provide emergency assistance for casualties. They also seek to reduce the probability
of secondary damage (for example, shutting off contaminated water supply sources, cordoning
off and patrolling looting-prone areas) and to speed recovery operations.”[Sól14] The Bible says
in Hebrews 11:13, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not
seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the
universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are
visible.”[Bib] Things are uncertain in disasters. Following and having faith in God with curve the
feeling of uncertainty and the unknown.
“Recovery: Recovery activities continue until all systems return to normal or better. They
include two sets of activities: Short-term recovery activities return vital life-support systems to
minimum operating standards (for example, cleanup, temporary housing). Long-term recovery
activities may continue for many years after a disaster. Their purpose is to return life to normal or
improve levels.”[Sól14] The Bible says in Isaiah 41:17, “When the poor and needy seek water,
and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God
Homeland Security Overview 5
of Israel will not forsake them.” [Bib] Recovery should be for everyone not just the selective
few.
In conclusion, all phases of the emergency management plan are equally important.
“Disaster phases as an important means to develop research, organize timelines, and generate
research findings. Even FEMA has adapted the four phases to prepare for emergencies and
disasters, respond to them, recover from them, mitigate their effects, reduce the risk of loss, and
prevent disasters from occurring.” [Sól14] The emergency management plan is a vital
component to the structure of Homeland Security preparedness in the United States today.
References
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Berke, 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,
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Bible . (n.d.). King James version .
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constraints to hazard mitigation planning. Applied Geography, 52-60.
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