Homeland Security Overview
Research Paper 1
Britt Klosterman
Liberty University
Foundations of Homeland Security
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Homeland Security Overview
Homeland Security Overview
In Homeland Security, an important part of the process is implementing steps to take for any
incident. This paper discusses the different approached to planning for incidents. The Homeland
Security process will be explored through mitigation, preparedness, and recovery.
Mitigation
“Hazard mitigation plans must include documentation of the planning process; risk assessment
of the area, including identifying/profiling hazards and general vulnerability; mitigation
strategies, including goals and the implementation and identification of mitigation actions; and
finally, a maintenance section, with monitoring, evaluating, and updates and continued public
involvement” (Frazier et al, 2013).
Intelligence is not commonly known for being a part of Emergency Management, efforts to
improve greater collaboration between Intelligence and Emergency Management, but there are
issues with policy and practice (Schulz, 2013). Taking the best practices from the FBI, U.S.
Military and local law enforcement to train emergency managers in the use of intelligence
would help all areas of disaster (Schulz, 2013). Having better intelligence practices in cases of
Emergency Management leads to better collaboration with the Intelligence Community, better
support for first responders, a bigger role in prevention of future disasters, and a more solid
overall all-hazard community (Schulz, 2013).
Mitigation Strategies are implemented after identification of potential risks. They are often
coordinated activities for dealing with the risks and monitoring/evaluating the plans
(Schenkelberg, 2017). The four main mitigation strategies are avoid, accept, reduce/control, and
transfer. Each strategy is best for many different types of risks, prevention of risk is also planned
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Homeland Security Overview
in the mitigation process. Preventing some natural hazards is hard, however, preventing damage
to certain areas or to people is easier. Steps taken to preventing manmade disasters are all a
part of the mitigation process.
The bible verse Matthew 5:9 says “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of
God”, this refers to mitigation in the way that, those who bring a sense of peace, or relief to a
disaster, will be rewarded through God.
Preparedness
In being prepared for a disaster Homeland Security came up with three main designs, the
National Response Framework (NRF), the National Incident Management System (NIMS), and
the Incident Command System (ICS). The NRF was created to guide all levels of government and
their resources to help the efforts of local authorities in cases of major disasters or emergencies
(National Service Knowledge Network Online Learning Center, n.d.)
The NIMS “proposes a nationwide template to address disasters” (Kapucu & Garayev, 2012). It
gives a wholistic approach to incident response by identifying key response principles, describes
how communities and government partners work together (PhD, J.J., 2014).
ICS outlines unified command between the agencies and jurisdictions. It integrates a
combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications. “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, 2018).
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Homeland Security Overview
The whole community needs to work together to be best prepared for any incident, in
Philippians 2:4 says, “do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the
interests of others”.
Recovery
Part of Homeland Security’s responsibilities is to not only be prepared for a disaster or
emergency, but also to help those who are affected by the incidents. Being resilient after
incidents is critical to minimize damage and using the best practices to instill resiliency in any
emergency preparedness plan is essential. Aspects of resilience are; “ Wellness, which promotes
pre and post incident population 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
nongovernment 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” (Anita Chandra et al, 2013).
By planning for recovery as well as, being prepared can reduce vulnerabilities that if not dealt
with can make recovery difficult (Anita Chandra et al, 2013). A common theme in Proverbs is
that a community is better working together in the path of God than by themselves, and that
having faith in God and thinking about every aspect will help instill faith in those that are
recovering or preparing actions in the emergency management plan (Bible).
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Homeland Security Overview
Biblical Perspective
The four disaster phases are mitigation, that lessens or can eliminate disaster effects;
preparedness to fill in where mitigation cannot reach; emergency response after a disaster,
which agencies and how long it will take to get the resources; and last is recovery, bringing the
affected citizens and areas back to a normal state (Solveig & Sigbornsson, 2014).
Mitigation involves activities that reduce probability of disasters, long-term activities that
reduce the effects of disasters (Solveig & Sigbornsson, 2014). The Bible says to have faith in any
trouble that is in your path, John 14:1.
There are parts of disasters that cannot be avoided, that is where preparedness comes in. In the
preparedness process governments, organizations, and individuals develop plans to help
minimize the damage and improve the response activities (Solveig & Sigbornsson, 2014). When
preparing for a disaster, leaning on God will help. 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” (Bible).
Many things can be unknown during and after a disaster, following and having faith in God will
reduce the panic that can ensue when responding to a disaster.
Isaiah 41:17 says “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 of Israel will not forsake them”
(Bible).
Emergency Management planning is a vital part of the Homeland Security preparedness in the
United States. And all phases of the emergency management plan are equally important.
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Homeland Security Overview
References
Anita Chandra D., Williams, PhD, M., Plough, PhD, MPH, A., Stayton BA, A., Wells, MD, MPH, K.
B., Horta, MPP, M., & Tang, MPH, J. (2013). Getting Actionable About Community
Resilience: The Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience Project. American
Journal of Public Health, 1181-1189.
Bible. (n.d) King James Version.
FEMA. (2018, June 26). Incident Command System Resources. Retrieved February 9, 2019, 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.
PhD, J.J. (2014). Explainging implementation behavior of the National Incident Management
System (NIMS). Disasters, 362-388
National Service Knowledge Network Online Learning Center. (n.d.). Overview: The National
Response Framework (NRF). Retrieved February 9, 2019, from
https://www.nationalservice.gov/sites/default/files/olc/moodle/ds_online_orientation/
view1b7f.html?id=3139
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Homeland Security Overview
Schenkelberg, F. (2017, November 7). 4 Effective Risk Mitigation Strategies. Retrieved February
9, 2019, from https://accendoreliability.com/4-effective-risk-mitigation-strategies/
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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