11 Jun A disaster or terrorist attack can occur anywhere and at any time
A disaster or terrorist attack can occur anywhere and at any time. The four classical phases of the emergency management cycle provide a framework for communities, states, and the federal government to prevent/mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover from these incidents. The NRF describes the roles and responsibilities not only of public-sector agencies but also of the private sector, NGOs, and individuals and households. The extent to which a community can endure and survive a major disaster or terrorist attack reflects how its emergency plan was constructed; using the four classical phases as a guide.
Before you begin this discussion, be sure to review the following readings and videos listed on the Learning and Assessment Activities page:
Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., & Coppola, D. P. (2016). Introduction to homeland security: Principles of all-hazards risk management (5th ed.). Waltham, MA: Elsevier.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ( 2016) National Response Framework (Links to an external site.) (Third Edition). Retrieved from https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2019-06/national_response_framework.pdf
Federal Emergency Management Agency (2020). Ready. (Links to an external site.)Retrieved from https://www.ready.gov/
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2015). National preparedness report download . Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/national-preparedness
Painter, W. L. (2013). CRS report for Congress: Issues in homeland security policy for the 113th Congress. [PDF file size 768 KB] Congressional Research Service (Links to an external site.) Retrieved from http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R42985.pdf
After reading the assignments, lectures, and readings, and viewing the videos above, you have a better understanding of the issues surrounding all-hazards emergency response, recovery, mitigation, prevention, and preparedness. For this discussion, respond to the following:
Within the context of the NRF, if you were a local emergency manager, discuss how you would best prepare your community for a large-scale emergency attack or disaster.
Hint: First determine which hazards are most prevalent in your community. Include which sources you would approach for funding requests, how you would decide which emergency services get the most funding, training, and resources, and which community volunteer groups and private sectors you would partner with.
2)
The Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007, Section 550, gave the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) particular regulatory authority and responsibility for ensuring that high-risk chemical facilities sufficiently mitigate their security vulnerabilities from a terrorist attack. To meet this responsibility, the DHS created the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). These standards dictate that high-risk chemical facilities must comply with 18 risk-based performance standards (RBPSs) in their Site Security Plan (SSP).
Before you begin this discussion, be sure to review the following readings listed on the Learning and Assessment Activities page:
Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., & Coppola, D. P. (2016). Introduction to homeland security: Principles of all-hazards risk management (5th ed.). Waltham, MA: Elsevier.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2009). Risk-based performance standards guidance: Chemical facility anti-terrorism standards. (Links to an external site.) [PDF file size 2.0 MB] Retrieved from http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/chemsec_cfats_riskbased_performance_standards.pdf
After reviewing the assignments, lectures, and readings above, select one of the 18 risk-based performance standards (RBPSs) in the DHS’s Risk-Based Performance Standards Guidance: Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards resource to address the following question:
Describe your selection in detail, and explain why you think your selection may be the optimal choice for mitigating a terrorist attack on a high-risk chemical facility.
