The Nexus of Homeland Security and Terrorism
The Nexus of Homeland Security and Terrorism
Andrew Langstaff
Liberty University
HLSC 610 Understanding Terrorism and Homeland Security
Research Paper 3
Professor Richards
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The Nexus of Homeland Security and Terrorism
Abstract
This paper will examine the nexus of Homeland Security and Terrorism. An examination will be
completed through an analysis of all phases of the United States emergency management
profession concerning terrorism. The role of the emergency management profession will be
defined and explained through the four operational phases of the emergency management
profession. The four operational phases of emergency management are mitigation, preparedness,
response, and recovery. These four phases are described as the life cycles of any type of disaster.
Sub-components of each phase will also be included in each discussion of the operational phases
of emergency management. The sub-components of the operational phases consist of prevention,
protection, planning, training, evidence collection, emergency care functions, emotional
recovery, and future hazards/threats. Crisis management and consequence management will be
discussed briefly as it pertains to emergency management. This paper will be structured in a way
that offers the best understanding of emergency management and the important role in which it
plays in homeland security.
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The Nexus of Homeland Security and Terrorism
The Nexus of Homeland Security and Terrorism
In the wake of September 11, 2001, and the ever-increasingly complex, evolving threat of
terrorism in the United States, called for the Department of Homeland Security to outline a
strategic framework to combat this form of targeted violence. Though the DHS is made up of
numerous disciplines, each task in the preservation of the United States, a great emphasis is
placed on the study and role of emergency management in homeland security regarding
terrorism. For the study of emergency management in homeland security and the nexus of
terrorism is crucial in combating terrorist activities in the United States and the rest of the world.
The role of emergency management is an increasingly vital piece of homeland security in
the United States. "Emergency management is a profession that specifies how to prevent or react
successfully to various types of disasters" (McEntire, 2019, p. 17). Emergency management is
made up of four operational phases and various sub-components within each phase that can be
portrayed as the "life cycles of disaster" (McEntire, 2019, p. 17). The phases that make up the
emergency management role in homeland security are mitigation, preparedness, response, and
recovery. Each one of these stages plays a critical role in the emergency management profession,
and in the grand scheme of homeland security in combating terrorist activities.
The sub-components within each of the operational phases will highlight the specific role
that each phase plays in the vision of emergency management; "seeks to promote safer, less
vulnerable communities with the capacity to cope with hazards and disasters" (McEntire, 2019,
p. 19). These sub-components are, but not limited to prevention, protection, planning, training,
evidence collection, emergency care functions, emotional recovery, and future hazards/threats.
Also, crisis management and consequence management will be briefly discussed emphasizing
the importance of the emergency management component in homeland security.
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The Nexus of Homeland Security and Terrorism
Mitigation
Mitigation is defined as “reducing loss of life and property by lessening the impact of
disasters” (National Response Framework, 2019, P. 12). In other words, mitigation is the activity
to minimize or prevent disasters from occurring. Mitigation, as it relates to terrorism, can be
explained through two terms that are closely associated with homeland security operations;
prevention and protection. Prevention in regards to terrorism includes counterterrorism
operations such as intelligence gathering, military-like activities, and border control. Protection
incorporates strategies that deter terrorist activities and minimizes the impact of an attack
through infrastructure and security. This is known as structural and non-structural mitigation
strategies. Structural mitigation is specifically the infrastructure, the practices, and materials used
in construction to reduce the impact of terrorist attacks. Several examples of this strategy are
blast-resistant glass on government buildings, gates, and doors should have locks (Mechanical or
Electronic), use of steel reinforcement in concrete buildings, sprinklers or fire-resistant materials
to prevent fires from spreading, and ventilation systems used to discourage or stop hazardous
materials from spreading (McEntire, 2019). Non-structural mitigation strategies are the methods
that are beyond the infrastructure and integrity of the building, that deters terrorist activity in the
area. Examples of non-structural mitigation strategies are regulations on building
locations/Zoning, use of security guards and guard dogs, set-back requirements, back-ground
checks on employees to prevent terrorism from internal sources, and ID badges (McEntire,
2019). Risk assessments are also utilized in the mitigation phase of homeland security in
counterterrorism operations. Risk assessments such as threat assessments of targets that might be
appealing to terrorists. These targets can be labeled soft targets, and these targets include
festivals, sporting events, where large numbers of people gather, accessibility is open, and
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The Nexus of Homeland Security and Terrorism
security is minimal. The agency primarily responsible for identifying threats is the FBI, though
other additional partners in their area of expertise (Departments of agriculture, energy, treasury,
interior, etc.) at the federal level help assess risks and filter it down to the state and local
authorities.
Preparedness
Preparedness is readiness for potential attacks; “terrorism and acts of targeted violence
are difficult to predict, fortifying our communities against them is within our control” (DHS
Strategic Framework for Countering Terrorism and Targeted Violence, 2019, p. 28).
Preparedness calls for all involved, it is a shared responsibility, not just the governments. Sub-
components of preparedness are community planning, training and exercises or scenarios.
Enabling preparedness sustains core capabilities that are utilized to prevent, protect, mitigate,
respond, and recover from terrorist attacks (DHS Strategic Framework for Countering Terrorism
and Targeted Violence, 2019). Examples of the sub-components of preparedness include enabling
and enhancing the security of soft targets, upgrading technology to counter cyber threats and
security of infrastructures, and integrating first responders to specific response and recovery of
certain terrorist attacks (i.e. WMD threat, mass casualties, shooter, etc.).
Response
The response phase can be defined as the immediate reaction to a disaster or scenario such as a
terrorist attack. The response to a terrorist attack is deploying of first responders. First responders
consist of various official government departments such as the police, firefighters, and
emergency medical personal. First responders stabilize the situation, save lives, prevent and
protect future attacks from occurring after an incident has already taken place. In the event of an
incident, and once it has been contained evidence collection and further medical care can take
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The Nexus of Homeland Security and Terrorism
place. Communication at all levels, federal, state, local, tribal, etc. is critical in response phase so
that the proper authorities can respond effectively, efficiently and put in motion the recovery
phase of the emergency management function.
Recovery
Recovery starts in the response phase and continues weeks, months, or even years after an
incident has occurred. As seen in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001, when
terrorists crashed planes in the twin towers. The recovery phase is not only the cleanup and
rebuilding of physical damage done from an attack but also rebounding emotionally and keeping
the threat of another attack in mind. In the event of an attack, damage assessments must be
completed so that the severity of the situation can be understood, and the proper response can be
implemented. A damage assessment would be a review of the physical destruction, economic
losses, loss of life, social disruption, and assets needed in response and recovery (McEntire,
2019). Specific damage assessments include rapid, preliminary, and technical assessments. Rapid
damage assessments are utilized to “paint the picture” of the situation on the ground so that
immediate needs are met and if additional help needs to be gathered. Preliminary damage
assessments are conducted days or weeks after the incident and are a more detailed assessment
that can be used to determine the exact outside assistance needed. Technical damage assessments
are the methods and cost of rebuilding. This assessment can lead to better construction with the
threat and future hazards in mind. In addition to the recovery process, things that need
considering are declaring a disaster, mass fatality management, and debris management.
Declaring a disaster means outside response and recovery is needed and additionally, funding
will be allocated for relief. Mass fatality management is in part of an incident that has occurred
that resulted in more deaths and injuries that are greater than personal to treat, collect, identify,
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The Nexus of Homeland Security and Terrorism
and bury. Lastly, debris management is the removal, disposal, storage, and recycling of rubble
produced in the result of a terrorist attack (McEntire, 2019).
As in add on about funding, some have argued that “As one homeland security threat
(natural or man-made) is identified and met, other threats develop and require new homeland
security capabilities or processes… funding amounts should be increased due to any potential
increase in natural disasters and their costs.” (Reese, 2016, p.17).
Other key issues that need to be addressed are the emotional effects of a terrorist attack or
catastrophic event. This goes not only for those who are civilians, or the ones injured or lost a
loved one but for the first responders as well. Everyone is affected in their way, some more so
than others. This is why crisis counseling should be utilized by all who experienced a traumatic
event. Crisis counseling is the treatment of psychological problems that have arisen from stress
(McEntire, 2019). These can be in forms of critical incident stress or Post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). The treatment of these issues can be completed through active listening,
understanding, and support for the ones affected.
Crisis Management and Consequence Management
Crisis management regarding homeland security is concerned with identifying, foreseeing,
preventing and prosecuting those involved in terrorist activities. Whereas consequence
management is a component of emergency management that stresses planning, first responders,
medical and public health, disaster relief and restoration of communities (McEntire, 2019). Since
homeland securities establishment, it has focused on crisis management and downplayed the
need for the emergency management operational phases of preparedness, response, and recovery.
It is important to perform both crisis and consequence management so that coordination
difficulties are avoided, and counterterrorism operations can succeed in mitigation, preparedness,
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The Nexus of Homeland Security and Terrorism
response, and recovery process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the world will see more sophisticated, organized violent attacks occurring
more frequently. Just to list a few force multipliers, advancements in technologies such as
weapons, social media and an increase in soft targets such as festivals and sporting events will
make this theory come to pass. This is why refining and applying emergency management
strategies in a coordinating approach in homeland security is crucial in combating terrorism
today. This holistic framework will prevent and mitigate vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks. As
well as improving response and recovery efforts in the event of an attack.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my
power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my
weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am
content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak,
then I am strong.” In weakness, we can find strength through Christ’s divine power, for humanity
is full of flaws and weakness.
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The Nexus of Homeland Security and Terrorism
References
Department of Homeland Security Strategic Framework for Countering Terrorism and Targeted
Violence. (2019, September). Retrieved fromhttps://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/
publications/19_0920_plcy_strategic-framework-countering-terrorism-targeted-
violence.pdf.
McEntire, D. A. (2019). Introduction to homeland security: understanding terrorism prevention
and emergency management (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
National Response Framework (2019). (4th ed.). Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/media-
library/assets/documents/117791.
National Strategy for Counterterrorism of the United States of America. (2018, October).
Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/NSCT.pdf.
Nctc. (2019). (JCAT) Intelligence Guide for First Responders. Retrieved from
https://www.dni.gov/nctc/jcat/jcat_ctguide/intel_guide.html.
Reese, S. (2016, October 28). Department of Homeland Security Preparedness Grants: A
Summary and Issues. Retrieved from https://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R44669.pdf.
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