Homeland Security Overview Assignment
Jenna Williams
Liberty University
HLSC 500: Foundations of Homeland Security
Abstract
In this paper we will explore how the roles of mitigation, preparedness, recovery, and
response are relevant to Homeland Security, and how the Department of Homeland Security
responds in times of crisis and to incidents. I will discuss the National Incident Management
System (NIMS),the Incident Command System (ICS), the National Response Framework (NRF)
and the roles and responsibilities that each of them have in homeland security, specially,
emergency management. This paper will include a breakdown of each of the areas and an
explanation and breakdown of what exactly it is that they do.
Introduction
Terrorism poses a big threat to the United States; as the world changes and evolves, so do
those threats. Terrorism comes in many forms; each form is a threat to the American people.
With more and more people coming across the borders into the United States, the federal
government must prioritize the protection from the threats that could come to the American
people. Everything, especially when it comes to the protection of the American people, has a
process that must be followed. When it comes to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
and all other agencies on both the federal and state levels, it is imperative that these processes are
followed to the letter to avoid any mistakes. There is no room for “crossing that bridge when we
get to it” when it comes to the safety and lives of American citizens. The steps that must be
followed are mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Mitigation
Mitigation implies intervention before a threat or disaster takes place (Nemeth, 2017,
p.299). Mitigation is basically the process of attempting to lessen the effects of disasters in order
to decrease the loss of life and property. The cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and
repeated damage can be broken if there are effective mitigation methods in place (Nemeth,2017,
p.299). Mitigation works so well that Congress has and continues to increase the funding for
mitigation programs. Mitigation also plays a role in preparedness. Without good mitigation we
risk everything, our safety and financial security.
All Hazards Approach
Although mitigation is very useful, it is not guaranteed to work in all homeland threats. It
works will in the case of natural disasters, nuclear attacks, or fires; there are steps that will
prevent complete and total destruction. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
has a variety of mitigation programs that are designed to limit damage (FEMA, 2017). The fact
that states and localities only include part of the critical elements in a mitigation program
indicates that fact that mitigations plan lack universality.
Risk Assessment
The Department of Homeland Security uses risk assessments to identify threats, assets,
vulnerabilities and conduct risk analysis in an effort to estimate the probability and the
consequences that come from threats that could occur (DHS,2016).
Preparedness
Preparedness in homeland security shows that the nation is ready to respond to any and
every disaster situation, it is the most important aspects in the emergency management cycle.
Through a series of evaluations of actions and plans carried out in advance of a genuine crisis,
preparedness ensures readiness. Federal emergency management includes:
National Incident Management Systems (NIMS)
NIMS is an approach that is used across the United States It is used federally, locally,
tribally, and by non-government organizations (NGOs) to guide them in how to effectively
prepare, respond, and recover from many different incidents (NIMS,2021).
National Response Framework (NRF)
This federal interaction framework ensured strong interconnection between the different
government and non-government organizations and the private sectors (NRF,2022). It provides
foundational emergency management doctrine for how the Nation responds to all types of
incidents (FEMA,2019) Various agencies must work together to respond to disasters and
emergencies; the larger or more complicated the situation, the more agencies and types of
organizations that must respond.
According to Homeland Security Policy Directive 5, it is required that the NRF is
integrated into the federal and state mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery as all
hazards plans (Public Health Emergency, 2021).
Incident Command System (ICS)
This system provides guidance on how to organize resources and assets to respond to
incidents and processes to manage the responses throughout each and every stage. All responses
are organized into five functional area: Command, Planning, Operations, Logistics, and
Administration/Finance (Public Health Emergency,2021).
Unified Command
This system is used when there is no jurisdiction, agency, or organization that does not have an
official manager or designated authority. During times like this, multiple agencies come together
to make decisions. (DHS,2021). The unified command system is a good thing because when
people from different agencies are working together, it helps with the information flow, which
can help to ensure that everyone has all the information that they need to do their job
successfully.
Recovery
The recovery process provides the resources necessary for the community that was
affected by the disaster. Recovery is the last step as it relates to the responsibilities of Homeland
Security. This phase focuses on rebuilding the community and getting it back up and running,
whether it be restoring power to the affected area, providing financial support to those in need, or
cleaning up debris, the recovery phase is going to take care of what it can.
Continuity of Operations Planning
When the resources are planned and delegated correctly and there are appropriate
resources in place that meet the needs of the community that is affected by disaster or crisis, the
recovery phase is more likely to go by more smoothly. Each disaster is different, so none are
handled. The thing that they do have in common is that most disasters result in people becoming
injured and or traumatized. To assist these people, they would be provided education resources,
therapy, or just general resources for things such as food (DHS,2018).
Response
The Department of Homeland Security responds to disasters and or crises to protect the
environment and property, and most importantly, to save the lives of American citizens. The
National Response Plan (NRP) is a thoroughly written plan which explains how to manage
disasters. It is useful in preventing terrorist attacks and reducing the chances of natural and man-
made disasters, it also helps to limit damages and assist the affected community.
Biblical Integration
At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with
you in all that you do. Genisis 21:22
This ties into the overview of Homeland Security because God is aware of everything, he
knows when things are going to happen and he allows them to happen, both good and bad.
Whether he allows good things to happen to a community as a reward for their faith, or bad
things to happen to punish them for their continued disobedience; either way God is there. When
it comes to homeland security, God knows the people who pose a threat to the United States and
its citizens, He knows exactly what disasters, both man-made and natural are going to happen.
When a disaster or crisis occurs, it is for a reason. We may not know what it is and just
see it as a way for God to punish us, and sometimes it may just be that, but other times it is God
trying to tell us something. He could be trying to get our attention because every other sign he
sent our way we failed to see. I don’t know about everyone else, but I find comfort in knowing
that God is always there. I like knowing that he sees everything that I do, it is comforting to me
to know that someone always has my back and that I am never alone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the United States in Homeland Security responds to the most serious
threats. The protection of property, citizens, and even businesses from terrorist attacks, both man-
made and natural disasters is what led to the start of DHS and in turn the process of mitigation,
preparedness, recovery, and response during crises and disasters.
References
Emergency management and the Incident Command System. ASPR. (n.d.). Retrieved September
17, 2022, from
https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/handbook/chapter1/Pages/emergencyma
nagement.aspx#:~:text=Figure%201%2D3.-,Incident%20Command%20System,of
%20resources%20during%20incident%20response.
Federal emergency preparedness. ASPR. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from
https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/support/emergencypreparedness/Pages/default.aspx
FEMA / ICS Courses. alleghenygeneralems. (n.d.). Retrieved September 16, 2022, from
http://www.alleghenygeneralems.com/fema--ics-courses.html
Genesis 21: ESV bible: Youversion. Genesis 21 | ESV Bible | YouVersion. (n.d.). Retrieved
September 18, 2022, from https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.21.ESV
National Incident Management System - FEMA. (n.d.). Retrieved September 16, 2022, from
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/fema_nims_doctrine-2017.pdf
National mitigation framework - FEMA. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-
04/National_Mitigation_Framework2nd_june2016.pdf
National response framework. FEMA.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved September 16, 2022, from
https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/frameworks/response
Nemeth, C. P. (2017). Homeland security: An introduction to principles and Practice. CRC
Press.
