| Homeland
Security
 Over
the past several years, America has shifted from a sense of undeniable
security to the stark reality of the September 11, attacks on
the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Threats of additional
attacks are a constant concern for most Americans and a comprehensive
warning system provides a sense of security.
The modern Emergency Manager recognizes the need to be ready to
respond to today's events and be ever prepared to identify and
implement strategies to improve homeland security, reduce consequences,
and improve response and recovery activities to minimize disruption
to their community.
The Role of Outdoor Warning Sirens in Homeland Security
In the event of a terrorist attack, electronic sirens serve as
an effective warning tool (NS1.wav) as
well as a medium of communication to the public in the aftermath.
For example; In the event that there is prior
warning
to an attack, Emergency Personnel can sound a siren tone and follow
it with a voice message (TA1.wav). Immediately following such an event, those persons
in the effected area need instant information. The Emergency Operations
Center can activate an attention getting tone and follow it with
a clear and powerful voice message (PDW1.wav) This
two step approach, alert and inform will eliminate confusion,
restore order, and most importantly save lives!
All
of SafetyCom’s voice capable sirens can broadcast both
pre-recorded messages as well as live public address. Information
such as location
of Red Cross shelters, medical/triage centers and food and
clothing centers could be broadcast to all of the people in
the effected
areas that have experienced loss of commercial power in additional
to other
vital services.
With the use of solar panels, the sirens will remain functional
throughout the crises therefore providing a source of communication
regardless
of the status of commercial power.
What Is Homeland Security?
Homeland
Security is defined as the deterrence, prevention, and preemption
of, and defense against, aggression targeted at U.S.
territory, sovereignty,
population, and infrastructure as well as the management of
the consequences of such aggression and other domestic emergencies. Homeland
Defense is a subset of Homeland Security. It is defined
as the deterrence, prevention, and preemption of and defense
against direct attacks aimed at U.S. territory, population,
and infrastructure.
Source: ANSER Institute for Homeland Security www.homelandsecurity.org/
Department of Homeland Security
In November 2002, President George W. Bush signed the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 creating the Department of Homeland Security
www.whitehouse.gov/deptofhomeland/ .
The new department acquired responsibilities from many existing
government agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard, Border Patrol,
and Secret
Service.
The role of the new department is to recognize and analyze
threats, guard our borders, secure our airports, protect our
critical
infrastructure, and coordinate the response of our nation’s
Emergency Managers for future emergencies. The overall role
of The Department of Homeland
Security will be to coordinate all of the nations resources
for the safety of the American people.
This is the most significant transformation of the U.S. government
in over a half-century. The creation of this cabinet-level agency
is an important step in the national strategy for homeland security.
The
Department of Homeland Security will have the following organizational
structure:
www.whitehouse.gov/deptofhomeland/sect2.html
Border and Transportation Security
www.whitehouse.gov/deptofhomeland/sect3.html
Emergency Preparedness and Response
www.whitehouse.gov/deptofhomeland/sect4.html
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures
http://www.whitehouse.gov/deptofhomeland/sect5.html
Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection
http://www.whitehouse.gov/deptofhomeland/sect6.html
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The Emergency Managers Role in Homeland Defense
First responders and Emergency Mangers play a vital role in Homeland
Security including managing the consequences of terrorism and other
domestic emergencies.
Emergency management is defined as "a process to reduce
loss of life and property and to protect assets from all types
of hazards
through a comprehensive, risk-based, emergency management program
of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery."
Although the terminology is new the role remains the same. Emergency
Managers have been providing Homeland Security and Homeland Defense
services for decades. During the cold war the terminology was "Civil
Defense" and the chief threat was a nuclear attack. In today’s
environment and current threat level, a Comprehensive Emergency Management
Program should include an "All-Hazards” approach including
mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. A good program
will address Homeland Security issues as well as Continuity of Operations,
Continuity of Government and other related areas. SafetyCom’s
team of professionals can play a vital role in helping the Emergency
Manager develop the type of program required to mitigate the
impact of day-to-day disruption
Related Links
Internet
Sites
Preparedness
www.ready.gov/
Homeland Security Resources www.twotigersonline.com/resources.html
Federal Homeland Security www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/
Citizen Preparedness Guide www.citizencorps.gov/cpg.pdf
Homeland Security State Contact List www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/contactmap.html
US Department of State http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/homeland.htm
US Department of Defense www.defenselink.mil/specials/homeland/
Development of a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan http://www.allhandsconsulting.com/emergency_management_plan.htm
Emergency Net http://www.emergency.com/
24-Hour News, Information, Analysis and Coverage of Disasters and Major Emergency
Events.
Bioterrorism: Threats and Events www.kcmo.org/health.nsf/web/bioterrorism?opendocument
The Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Association http://www.disasters.org |
Organizations
International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) www.emassociation.org/
National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) http://nemaweb.media3.net/index.cfm
The Federal Emergency Management Agency http://www.fema.gov/ (FEMA)
and the Emergency Management Institute www.fema.gov/emi/
Preparedness Center www.preparedness-center.com/ -
Disaster preparedness and emergency management, training and exercises for business,
government and industry. Hazardous materials emergencies, catastrophic disaster
preparedness, security, counter-terrorism preparedness and exercises
University of Wisconsin - Disaster Management Center http://epdwww.engr.wisc.edu/dmc |
Books
Emergency Planning and Management:
Ensuring Your Company's Survival in the
Event of a Disaster
Protecting the
American Homeland: A Preliminary Analysis
Emergency Management
Planning Handbook - This handbook provides a comprehensive guide to emergency
management planning in the manufacturing, process, and service industries. It
shows managers how to develop and maintain effective emergency management plans
for all major hazards, and describes what various companies are going to implement
programs.
Emergency
Planning on the Internet
Click on these links for more books and products about
risk
management / computer
security / business
continuity /
emergency
management ent |
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