What is homeland security and how is it structured? This week we will discuss the origins of Homeland Security, including its historical development.
Upon completion of this module, the student should be able to:
In this lecture, we will discuss what to expect from this course.
The Concept and Organization of Homeland Security
What is Homeland Security? Examine how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created and how it is organized.
This week, we will discuss the evolution of the federal government in responding to emergencies, disasters and terrorist threats before September 11, and the measures taken to address the terrorism hazard within the United Sates following the September 11 attacks.
Upon completion of this module, the student should be able to:
Historic Overview of the Terrorist Threat Part 1
Examine how the federal government's response to emergencies evolved after September 11, 2001, and how we respond to terrorist threats.
Historic Overview of the Terrorist Threat Part 2
Discuss the laws enacted post-September 11, 2001 and the 9/11 Commission report.
This week, we will examine governmental homeland security structures and identify the roles and responsibilities of the various agencies tasked with homeland security missions at the federal, state, and local level.
Upon completion of this module, the student should be able to:
Structures and Organizational Actions Part 1
Explore the the Department of Homeland Security's composition, functions, and overall structure.
Structures and Organizational Actions Part 2
Discuss which federal agencies that work with DHS and the various homeland security activities.
This week, we will explain the basic elements of the intelligence community and restructuring of statutory authority based on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, discuss the essential intelligence agencies such as the CIA, NSA, NRO, and NGA, and examine information sharing and analysis.
Upon completion of this module, the student should be able to:
Intelligence and Counter Terrorism Part 1
Examine various roles within the intelligence community, and the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.
Intelligence and Counter Terrorism Part 2
Explore the function of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, as well as how the intelligence community shares information.
This week, we will describe how large-scale emergencies are declared at each level of government and what kinds of declarations are made. We will also discuss the legislative actions taken since September 11 that affect the nations response capabilities and the roles assumed by each level of government from local to national. Finally, we will describe how the National Incident Management System and the National Response Framework guide to all-hazards emergency response to major incidents in the United States.
Upon completion of this module, the student should be able to:
All Hazards Emergency Response and Recovery Part 1
Examine how DHS declares large-scale emergencies and the actions take with regards to our response capabilities.
All Hazards Emergency Response and Recovery Part 2
Identify the response roles of each level of government, the effectiveness of homeland security volunteer programs, and the purpose of NIMS and the NRF.
This week, we will define mitigation, preparedness and prevention, outline the structure of preparedness, response, and mitigation plans, describe where terrorism fits in the classical life cycle of emergency management, and discuss what community issues are involved in preparedness as well as the role of the private sector.
Upon completion of this module, the student should be able to:
Mitigation, Prevention and Preparedness Part 1
What are our mitigation and preparedness and what is the life cycle of our emergency management programs?
Mitigation, Prevention and Preparedness Part 2
Discuss how we prepare for chemical, radiological and biological incidents, and how we can get the private sector involved.
This week, we will examine how risk communication efforts inform the public about what hazard risks they face and what they can do to prepare for or mitigate them, how the federal government performs risk communication and what role the news media has in informing the public about hazard risks. We will also discuss the mission and assumptions that serve as the basis of crisis communications and the growing role of social media and first informers in crisis communications.
Upon completion of this module, the student should be able to:
Communications Part 1
Examine how risk communications are used to help inform the general public about hazards.
Communications Part 2
Discuss how the media keeps the public informed about events and the role of crisis communications.
This week, we will identify and explain several of the most pressing issues confronting the role of emergency management and disaster assistance programs in homeland security, both in general and specific to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We will also discuss the lessons history has to offer DHS as it progresses in its difficult mission and discuss the importance of community based homeland security and improved communications.
Upon completion of this module, the student should be able to:
Science, Technology and The Future of Homeland Security Part 1
Examine how DHS research is funded and how the research is put to good use.
Science, Technology and The Future of Homeland Security Part 2
Identify where DHS research and development efforts are being used outside of the U.S., and the lessons we have learned from FEMA's failures.
The course description, objectives and learning outcomes are subject to change without notice based on enhancements made to the course. September 2014