IV

HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit IV Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

5. Determine protective measures for individuals at the scene of a terrorist attack. 5.1 Explain how responder communications factor into the protective measures taken in response

to a terrorist attack. 5.2 Analyze lessons learned regarding communication issues in previous terrorist attack

responses. 5.3 Summarize how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) objectives are enhanced

through effective communications. Required Unit Resources Chapter 5: The Department of Homeland Security In order to access the following resource, click the link below. Read pp. 1–47 of the document below. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (2019, September). National emergency communications

plan. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0924_CISA_ECD-NECP-2019_1.pdf

Unit Lesson

Department of Homeland Security How was the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established? Was developing DHS successful? Moreover, was creating such a department even warranted? These are some of the questions that we will examine in this unit. Then, we will begin to look at protective measures that can aid in DHS preparation, mitigation, and response efforts. Oliver et al. (2021) discuss how unexpected the attacks of 9/11 were and that they appeared to have caught most everyone by surprise. Many argued that the intelligence community, the federal government, emergency responders, and the entire country were unprepared for the events of that day. Consider that the president of the United States, who receives daily intelligence briefings and would seemingly be one of the first to be first aware of an impending threat or attack, was in a classroom, interacting with elementary school students at the time of the attack. Only a week after the attacks of 9/11, a series of anthrax attacks in the United States caused additional fear and concern across the United States. In these attacks, letters were mailed out that contained anthrax spores; five people died, and 17 additional individuals were injured (Oliver et al., 2021). While no one was ever implicated and brought to justice for the anthrax attacks, the attacks further enhanced the need for additional protective measures. Congress subsequently introduced the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2011 (USA PATRIOT Act) into the House of Representatives on October 23, 2001, and it passed through the U.S. Senate on October 25, 2001 (Oliver et al., 2021). The Homeland Security Act of 2002 sought to establish the DHS (Oliver et al., 2021). The establishment of the DHS was one of the first national protection measures enacted after 9/11 as it was quickly realized that

UNIT IV STUDY GUIDE U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Communication, and Protective Measures

HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 2

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title

one department should be charged with overseeing and protecting the homeland. Therefore, it became the objective of the DHS to protect the country from terrorist attacks, both foreign and domestic. Although the DHS has 22 agencies and various functions, its main objective is to protect the homeland, and it was set up to be responsible for the following responsibilities:

• overseeing policy for preventing terrorist attacks within the United States; • passing new laws to reduce the vulnerability of the United States to terrorism; • minimizing the damage and assisting in the recovery of a terrorist attack; • carrying out all functions of those agencies transferred to DHS; • ensuring the functionality of the agencies within DHS, which are not related directly to protecting the

country, is not diminished; • ensuring that the overall U.S. economic security is not diminished by any activities related to

protecting the nation; and • monitoring possible connections between drug trafficking and terrorism (Oliver et al., 2021).

What were the benefits of creating the DHS? The ability to have various agencies work under one department would subsequently foster effective communication, whereas prior to 9/11 agencies were focused on their missions and objectives. Establishing the DHS provided a mechanism for these agencies to collaborate and work together. Thus far, the DHS has been successful in mitigating and preventing numerous potential threats. This is accomplished by DHS-coordinated exercises with all levels of governments that assist in the planning stages and the overall function of disaster management. But how can we plan for a predicament of this nature? These attacks not only caused injuries and casualties, but also caused collateral devastation in areas like the financial markets. This clearly shows that homeland security impacts a myriad of sectors; therefore, homeland security should be everyone’s concern. As the DHS has evolved, increased emphasis has been placed on mitigation and strengthening preparedness and resilience through protective measures that can be taken before, during, and after an incident.

Community Emergency Response Team Many cities and municipalities offer a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. These programs are extremely beneficial. It is a voluntary training that allows citizens in the community an understanding of how to prepare in the event of a terrorist attack or disaster situation. Additionally, once trained, these individuals would have the knowledge to provide their capabilities to their family members, neighbors, and community if a disaster situation were to occur. One may ask, if CERT is beneficial, should such training be mandatory for citizens within a community? CERT focuses on a variety of incidents, ranging from preparing individuals for weather-related events to potential terrorist attacks. Communities and local, state, and federal governments may all establish certain policies and legislations. So, why can such training not be mandated? Concerns that may be discussed could relate to coordination, feasibility, and of course, funding. These may be legitimate concerns, but the benefits of having this program could offset the cost. Some argue that there should be no cost associated with safety. During the attacks and aftermath of 9/11, were any of these signs of preparedness displayed? There were many people looking for their family members as well as friends after the attacks of 9/11. There were many images of people carrying signs and pictures, inquiring about the location of their loved ones. Thus, it is imperative to have a designated location if an emergency or attack of this magnitude were to occur. In the event of an attack or catastrophic incident, family members may not have access to a telephone, and communication may be lost. By having this designated location, your family members or friends would know exactly where to meet. Where may this designated location be? It could be in a myriad of places. For example, it could be at the local grocery store or at the neighborhood library. Additionally, this emergency designated location may be at your favorite restaurant. It is important to have this designated location discussed and agreed upon in advance so that if an attack or devastating event were to occur, the applicable individuals will know where to meet.

Communication

HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 3

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title

Another example of protective measures that DHS has championed involves incident communication. Responder communication at the scene of a terrorist incident is critical to the safety of all personnel, whether they are victims, responders, or citizens in the local area. Consider the examples below.

• One of the most well-documented lessons learned after 9/11 was the need for dedicated and coordinated emergency responder communication systems. Major communications systems were destroyed, overloaded, or failed to operate as intended, adding to the confusion and chaos.

• After the San Bernardino shooting incident in December of 2015, emergency responders testified that their response and public safety efforts were impeded by police communications being played in real time on YouTube and other social media networks. This lack of radio encryption put responders at increased risk.

• Independent after-action assessments by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the National Police Foundation of the June 2016 Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting both praised the overall multiagency response but indicated there were serious issues with dispatch and interagency communications as well as outdated communication procedures and policies. The communication issues severely impacted on-scene response.

As numerous after-action assessments have revealed, there have been and still are serious communication deficiencies that affect the ability of responders to manage incidents and support responses to disasters, acts of terrorism, and other incidents. In 2002, recognizing the need for an overarching emergency communications strategy to address discrepancies, Congress mandated the DHS Office of Emergency Communications—redesignated in 2018 as the Emergency Communications Division within the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)—to create and periodically update the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP). The NECP was updated in 2014 and again in 2019. DHS, working with stakeholders from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies, public safety associations, and the private sector, developed a strategic plan that establishes a national vision for the future state of emergency communications “to enable the Nation’s emergency response community to communicate and share information securely across communications technologies in real time, including all levels of government, jurisdictions, disciplines, organizations, and citizens impacted by any threats or hazards event” (CISA, 2019, p. 3). Other efforts include the First Responder Network Authority, which was created as a part of the Middle-Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act (PUBLIC LAW 112–96) and signed into law on February 22, 2012 (FirstNet Authority, n.d.). The law allocated 20 megahertz of spectrum and $7 billion to establish a broadband network dedicated to the nation's first responders, and it gave the First Responder Network Authority the mandate to build, operate, and maintain that network.

Conclusion DHS was created in response to the events of and lessons learned from 9/11. Its goal is defense of the nation, and it strives to prevent future attacks against the United States, while responding decisively to both natural and manmade disasters as well as strengthening the future American prosperity and economic security (DHS, n.d.). However, DHS alone cannot prevent or prepare the nation for a future attack. Mitigation, preparedness, and response efforts are the responsibility of many, if not all Americans. Whether national or local government officials, emergency responders, or ordinary citizens, there are measures everyone can take to further homeland security efforts. It is up to everyone to know the role they play in an incident to ensure they are trained and prepared and to stay informed and updated on current information. Everyone should understand protective measures in the event of a disaster incident or terrorist attack.

References Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (2019, September). National emergency communications

plan. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0924_CISA_ECD-NECP-2019_1.pdf

FirstNet Authority. (n.d.). Our history. https://www.firstnet.gov/about/history

HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 4

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title

Oliver, W. M., Marion, N. E., & Hill, J. B. (2021). Introduction to homeland security: Policy, organization, and administration (2nd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781284205213

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). Mission. https://www.dhs.gov/mission Suggested Unit Resources In order to access the following resources, click the links below. You are encouraged to review the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s website to learn more about the vision, national priorities, and goals of the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP). You may also connect to NECP resources and webinars that are designed to provide the public safety community with practical solutions intended to help organizations improve their emergency communications. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (n.d.). National emergency communications plan.

https://www.cisa.gov/necp Refer to the following website if you are interested in subscribing to current news and updates and/or if you are interested in viewing publications related to preventing terrorism. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). Preventing terrorism.

https://www.dhs.gov/topic/preventing-terrorism The following PowerPoint presentation provides a summary of the material in this unit’s chapter reading. The PowerPoint and PDF versions are provided for your convenience. Chapter 5 PowerPoint Presentation (Chapter 5 PDF) Learning Activities (Nongraded) Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information. Are you REAL ID ready? Secure driver's licenses and identity documentation are a vital component of our national security framework. The REAL ID Act, which was passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the federal government establish standards for the issuance of identification documents. The full enforcement deadline was established as October 1, 2021. After this date, REAL ID requirements must be met to access federal facilities, enter nuclear power plants, and board federally regulated commercial aircraft. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to urge Americans to obtain a REAL ID- compliant card or acceptable alternative, such as a U.S. passport or passport card prior to the October 1, 2021 deadline. You can visit the DHS REAL ID webpage below to learn more about the program and get answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). REAL ID frequently asked questions. https://www.dhs.gov/real-

id/real-id-faqs

HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit IV Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

5. Determine protective measures for individuals at the scene of a terrorist attack. 5.1 Explain how responder communications factor into the protective measures taken in response

to a terrorist attack. 5.2 Analyze lessons learned regarding communication issues in previous terrorist attack

responses. 5.3 Summarize how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) objectives are enhanced

through effective communications. Required Unit Resources Chapter 5: The Department of Homeland Security In order to access the following resource, click the link below. Read pp. 1–47 of the document below. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (2019, September). National emergency communications

plan. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0924_CISA_ECD-NECP-2019_1.pdf

Unit Lesson

Department of Homeland Security How was the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established? Was developing DHS successful? Moreover, was creating such a department even warranted? These are some of the questions that we will examine in this unit. Then, we will begin to look at protective measures that can aid in DHS preparation, mitigation, and response efforts. Oliver et al. (2021) discuss how unexpected the attacks of 9/11 were and that they appeared to have caught most everyone by surprise. Many argued that the intelligence community, the federal government, emergency responders, and the entire country were unprepared for the events of that day. Consider that the president of the United States, who receives daily intelligence briefings and would seemingly be one of the first to be first aware of an impending threat or attack, was in a classroom, interacting with elementary school students at the time of the attack. Only a week after the attacks of 9/11, a series of anthrax attacks in the United States caused additional fear and concern across the United States. In these attacks, letters were mailed out that contained anthrax spores; five people died, and 17 additional individuals were injured (Oliver et al., 2021). While no one was ever implicated and brought to justice for the anthrax attacks, the attacks further enhanced the need for additional protective measures. Congress subsequently introduced the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2011 (USA PATRIOT Act) into the House of Representatives on October 23, 2001, and it passed through the U.S. Senate on October 25, 2001 (Oliver et al., 2021). The Homeland Security Act of 2002 sought to establish the DHS (Oliver et al., 2021). The establishment of the DHS was one of the first national protection measures enacted after 9/11 as it was quickly realized that

UNIT IV STUDY GUIDE U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Communication, and Protective Measures

HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 2

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title

one department should be charged with overseeing and protecting the homeland. Therefore, it became the objective of the DHS to protect the country from terrorist attacks, both foreign and domestic. Although the DHS has 22 agencies and various functions, its main objective is to protect the homeland, and it was set up to be responsible for the following responsibilities:

• overseeing policy for preventing terrorist attacks within the United States; • passing new laws to reduce the vulnerability of the United States to terrorism; • minimizing the damage and assisting in the recovery of a terrorist attack; • carrying out all functions of those agencies transferred to DHS; • ensuring the functionality of the agencies within DHS, which are not related directly to protecting the

country, is not diminished; • ensuring that the overall U.S. economic security is not diminished by any activities related to

protecting the nation; and • monitoring possible connections between drug trafficking and terrorism (Oliver et al., 2021).

What were the benefits of creating the DHS? The ability to have various agencies work under one department would subsequently foster effective communication, whereas prior to 9/11 agencies were focused on their missions and objectives. Establishing the DHS provided a mechanism for these agencies to collaborate and work together. Thus far, the DHS has been successful in mitigating and preventing numerous potential threats. This is accomplished by DHS-coordinated exercises with all levels of governments that assist in the planning stages and the overall function of disaster management. But how can we plan for a predicament of this nature? These attacks not only caused injuries and casualties, but also caused collateral devastation in areas like the financial markets. This clearly shows that homeland security impacts a myriad of sectors; therefore, homeland security should be everyone’s concern. As the DHS has evolved, increased emphasis has been placed on mitigation and strengthening preparedness and resilience through protective measures that can be taken before, during, and after an incident.

Community Emergency Response Team Many cities and municipalities offer a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. These programs are extremely beneficial. It is a voluntary training that allows citizens in the community an understanding of how to prepare in the event of a terrorist attack or disaster situation. Additionally, once trained, these individuals would have the knowledge to provide their capabilities to their family members, neighbors, and community if a disaster situation were to occur. One may ask, if CERT is beneficial, should such training be mandatory for citizens within a community? CERT focuses on a variety of incidents, ranging from preparing individuals for weather-related events to potential terrorist attacks. Communities and local, state, and federal governments may all establish certain policies and legislations. So, why can such training not be mandated? Concerns that may be discussed could relate to coordination, feasibility, and of course, funding. These may be legitimate concerns, but the benefits of having this program could offset the cost. Some argue that there should be no cost associated with safety. During the attacks and aftermath of 9/11, were any of these signs of preparedness displayed? There were many people looking for their family members as well as friends after the attacks of 9/11. There were many images of people carrying signs and pictures, inquiring about the location of their loved ones. Thus, it is imperative to have a designated location if an emergency or attack of this magnitude were to occur. In the event of an attack or catastrophic incident, family members may not have access to a telephone, and communication may be lost. By having this designated location, your family members or friends would know exactly where to meet. Where may this designated location be? It could be in a myriad of places. For example, it could be at the local grocery store or at the neighborhood library. Additionally, this emergency designated location may be at your favorite restaurant. It is important to have this designated location discussed and agreed upon in advance so that if an attack or devastating event were to occur, the applicable individuals will know where to meet.

Communication

HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 3

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title

Another example of protective measures that DHS has championed involves incident communication. Responder communication at the scene of a terrorist incident is critical to the safety of all personnel, whether they are victims, responders, or citizens in the local area. Consider the examples below.

• One of the most well-documented lessons learned after 9/11 was the need for dedicated and coordinated emergency responder communication systems. Major communications systems were destroyed, overloaded, or failed to operate as intended, adding to the confusion and chaos.

• After the San Bernardino shooting incident in December of 2015, emergency responders testified that their response and public safety efforts were impeded by police communications being played in real time on YouTube and other social media networks. This lack of radio encryption put responders at increased risk.

• Independent after-action assessments by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the National Police Foundation of the June 2016 Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting both praised the overall multiagency response but indicated there were serious issues with dispatch and interagency communications as well as outdated communication procedures and policies. The communication issues severely impacted on-scene response.

As numerous after-action assessments have revealed, there have been and still are serious communication deficiencies that affect the ability of responders to manage incidents and support responses to disasters, acts of terrorism, and other incidents. In 2002, recognizing the need for an overarching emergency communications strategy to address discrepancies, Congress mandated the DHS Office of Emergency Communications—redesignated in 2018 as the Emergency Communications Division within the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)—to create and periodically update the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP). The NECP was updated in 2014 and again in 2019. DHS, working with stakeholders from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies, public safety associations, and the private sector, developed a strategic plan that establishes a national vision for the future state of emergency communications “to enable the Nation’s emergency response community to communicate and share information securely across communications technologies in real time, including all levels of government, jurisdictions, disciplines, organizations, and citizens impacted by any threats or hazards event” (CISA, 2019, p. 3). Other efforts include the First Responder Network Authority, which was created as a part of the Middle-Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act (PUBLIC LAW 112–96) and signed into law on February 22, 2012 (FirstNet Authority, n.d.). The law allocated 20 megahertz of spectrum and $7 billion to establish a broadband network dedicated to the nation's first responders, and it gave the First Responder Network Authority the mandate to build, operate, and maintain that network.

Conclusion DHS was created in response to the events of and lessons learned from 9/11. Its goal is defense of the nation, and it strives to prevent future attacks against the United States, while responding decisively to both natural and manmade disasters as well as strengthening the future American prosperity and economic security (DHS, n.d.). However, DHS alone cannot prevent or prepare the nation for a future attack. Mitigation, preparedness, and response efforts are the responsibility of many, if not all Americans. Whether national or local government officials, emergency responders, or ordinary citizens, there are measures everyone can take to further homeland security efforts. It is up to everyone to know the role they play in an incident to ensure they are trained and prepared and to stay informed and updated on current information. Everyone should understand protective measures in the event of a disaster incident or terrorist attack.

References Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (2019, September). National emergency communications

plan. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0924_CISA_ECD-NECP-2019_1.pdf

FirstNet Authority. (n.d.). Our history. https://www.firstnet.gov/about/history

HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 4

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title

Oliver, W. M., Marion, N. E., & Hill, J. B. (2021). Introduction to homeland security: Policy, organization, and administration (2nd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781284205213

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). Mission. https://www.dhs.gov/mission Suggested Unit Resources In order to access the following resources, click the links below. You are encouraged to review the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s website to learn more about the vision, national priorities, and goals of the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP). You may also connect to NECP resources and webinars that are designed to provide the public safety community with practical solutions intended to help organizations improve their emergency communications. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (n.d.). National emergency communications plan.

https://www.cisa.gov/necp Refer to the following website if you are interested in subscribing to current news and updates and/or if you are interested in viewing publications related to preventing terrorism. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). Preventing terrorism.

https://www.dhs.gov/topic/preventing-terrorism The following PowerPoint presentation provides a summary of the material in this unit’s chapter reading. The PowerPoint and PDF versions are provided for your convenience. Chapter 5 PowerPoint Presentation (Chapter 5 PDF) Learning Activities (Nongraded) Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information. Are you REAL ID ready? Secure driver's licenses and identity documentation are a vital component of our national security framework. The REAL ID Act, which was passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the federal government establish standards for the issuance of identification documents. The full enforcement deadline was established as October 1, 2021. After this date, REAL ID requirements must be met to access federal facilities, enter nuclear power plants, and board federally regulated commercial aircraft. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to urge Americans to obtain a REAL ID- compliant card or acceptable alternative, such as a U.S. passport or passport card prior to the October 1, 2021 deadline. You can visit the DHS REAL ID webpage below to learn more about the program and get answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). REAL ID frequently asked questions. https://www.dhs.gov/real-

id/real-id-faqs