Select one example from your Module 1 Case. Discuss the mitigation strategies, keeping in mind the inter-relationships between agencies at the various response levels. From a preparedness perspective (i.e., “The Preparedness Cycle” or the applicable ESFs), what modifications would you make to keep the homeland safe from a future, similar catastrophe and why?
Examples:The vision of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards. The Natural Disasters website provides an outstanding characterization and video clips of the science behind avalanches, earthquakes, floods, forest fires, hurricanes, landslides, super volcanoes, tornadoes, tsunamis, and volcanoes. (https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog30/node/377)
A major catastrophe on the homeland can overwhelm response and mitigation actions from local through national capabilities. DHS was created to prevent terrorist attacks inside the U.S., reduce the nation’s vulnerability to terrorist acts and damage caused by them, and to coordinate quick and effective recovery if terrorist acts occur. In Beyond the Storms, Dane Egli cites “according to Presidential Policy Directive (PPD)-21: Critical Infrastructure and Resilience,” the term “all hazards” means a “threat or an incident, natural or manmade, that warrants action to protect life, property, the environment, public health or safety; and to minimize disruptions of government, social, or economic activities. It includes natural disasters, cyber events, industrial accidents, pandemics, acts of terrorism, sabotage, and destructive criminal activity targeting critical infrastructure.” (The White House, PPD-21, 2013b)
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides standard command and management structures which apply to incident response. NIMS provides a “Preparedness Cycle” for planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking corrective action – “one element of a broader National Preparedness System to prevent, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.” (https://www.fema.gov/national-incident-management-system#)
The National Response Framework (NRF) details 15 Emergency Support Functions (ESF) to coordinate federal operations in response to a catastrophe: transportation, communications, public works, engineering, firefighting, information and planning, mass care, resource support, health and medical services, urban search and rescue, hazardous materials (HAZMAT), food and energy.
If selecting journalism/media sources, then you must show evidence of more than one such source. Your selections must be balanced and have objective coverage. Your paper will not be longer than 5 pages (excluding cover sheet and reference page).
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