The Department of Homeland Security Mission Area
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) developed a clear strategy to realize its mission of providing Americans with safety, security, and resilience in the face of terrorism and other threats. To achieve their vision, the department outlined three distinct key concepts: security, resilience, and customs and exchange. The mission's execution has relied primarily on an enterprise-wide approach, rather than being limited to the Department of Homeland Security, as previously imagined. This assignment describes the DHS mission segment, 'Prevent terrorism and enhancing security.' It further considers the base simulation in Module 1 Case and SLP and discusses how this simulation can be extended to enhance the mission area for 'Prevent terrorism and enhancing security.'
Description of the DHS Mission Area
The DHS mission 'prevent terrorism and enhance security' aims at firstly, safeguarding the Americans from terrorist perils. Secondly, the mission area also serves as the founding principle that the department endeavors to maintain and accord highest priority. The segment focuses on the counterterrorism accountabilities which focus on three objectives namely prevention of terrorist attacks, avoidance of the unauthorized possession, importation, movement, and use of hazardous substances. Some of the substances under the close watch of the security department are chemical-related, biological-based, radiological, and nuclear substances which have been found to pose greatest dangers in the community. The department regulates the materials within the boundaries of United States. And thirdly, reduction of the susceptibility of vital infrastructure and critical resources, central leadership, and key events to terrorist control and other notable hazards in the society.
Base Simulation in Module 1 Case
The Base simulation in Module 1 Case was on an online disaster, and it happened in Franklin County. The key mission area of the simulation was on the resistance to terrorism disaster. On comparison, the simulation bore a close similarity to current emergency operations plan in the department of homeland security. The discussion of the simulation can be extended by enhancing the mission area especially during the emergency operations that attaches mainly on the three main segments an active shooter, weapons of mass destruction, and conventional weapons.
Countering an Active Shooter
Department of Homeland Security model can borrow several approaches from simulation in Module 1 through emergency operations on an active shooter. From the simulation, several lessons emerge regarding how to train the public to be prepared of any perils from an active shooter. The simulation also acknowledges the presence of an active security telephone line through which the public can inform the security personnel to avail rescue urgently. While DHS assures all the countrymen of security against terrorists it is unlikely that their staff will be everywhere at all times to provide the security they so endear to. From the simulation, several lessons emanated on how to manage an active shooter just before the DHS help arrived. The guidelines demand that the people should uphold situational awareness at all times. It helps in augmenting survival chances through detection of anomalies (Sunzi & Cleary, 2016).
People are advised to be on the lookout for all exits while in a building or new regions. From the simulation, people learn the need for practicing active shooter triage which outlines run, hide and fight tactics as the best possible avenues for countering attacks. The simulation challenged attacked people to comprehend their advantages over the attackers. It is notable that many violent gunmen believe that since they have a gun, people will obviously react by running and hiding (Willis, 2015). Many of the attackers seldom think that other people may charge to them and fight them down. After realizing the advantage points, a person may adopt several attack modes on the active shooter. Some of the modes include being aggressive and violent, devising improvised weapons and maneuvering of the shooter's weapon and eventually control the shooter. Improvised weapons may include using chairs, metal or wooden bar to knock the shooter unknowingly.
All the counter shooter models demand courage. With the weak firearms control regulations in the United States of America, active shooter cases are likely to be a thing to worry about. The challenge emanates due to poor assessment of person's before permission to carry weapon. Chances of misusing the gun are always common, and it presents a challenge to counter even amongst the police force (Sunzi & Cleary, 2016). The first example of an active shooter in the USA was of a San Diego man who moved into a swimming pool at his apartment and shoots people indiscriminately. The people had gathered around for a birthday party (Chavez, Grinberg & Vercammen, 2017). The 49-year-old Peter Selis had a troubling relationship with his girlfriend. The second example was of a gunman who was comprehended as "a dissatisfied worker" went on rampage shooting dead five former co-workers in suburban Orlando then went on to shoot himself (Luscombe, 2017).
Weapons of Mass Destruction and Conventional Weapons Control
Department of Homeland Security has a robust way of securing Americans from harms of weapons of mass destruction and Conventional weapons control. Their control approach has been to stop linkage under which the fatal weapons would get onto wrong hands. The base simulation process demands enhancement of the DHS control techniques. The DHS has on both local and international levels to counter the threat. Cargo Screening has been one of the unsurpassed approaches on countering and securing the global supply chain of the feared weapons. The smooth working of the cargo screening has been very indispensable to the America's national safety and economic success. Entry of cargos through airports or seaports acts the main tool for enhancement of trade, but it may be misused by the enemies of peace (Department of Homeland Security, 2016).
The infrastructural system avails goods that feed the American domestic critical economic infrastructure and enhances life. DHS adopts and utilizes a multi-layered tactic to air cargo safety through constituting enhanced screening regulations for the registered and recognized shippers. Some of the examples of screening include explosive recognition through the use of trained dogs teams, covert tests, and random or no-notice assessments of cargo. The approach ensured the strategic promotion of the efficient and secured supply and movement of goods (Sunzi & Cleary, 2016). DHS has an established law enforcement partnership. The establishment considers cooperation of the law enforcement agencies from State, local, tribal, and even territorial echelons which are intrinsically essential for the America's internal protection from terrorism. The close linkages ensure ample coordination to the bodies that act as the country's eyes and ears and are the initial line of detecting and preventing weapons of mass destruction (Department of Homeland Security, 2016).
DHS, through cooperation with the country's appropriate secretaries of states such as defense and foreign affairs, has coordinated possible fears for from foreign countries. Entry of weapons of mass destruction from foreign countries is a great concern to DHS, but U.S. international engagement has been managing the segment well (Willis, 2015). On September 11th, 2011 terrorists crashed airplanes into World Trade Center buildings after hijacking four passenger airliners which were run by two chief U.S. passenger air carriers. The use of the American planes in the attack compromised security systems, and thus it was hard to help. The simulation acknowledges strong control of the mass destruction and conventional weapons at both local and international levels as the only way of providing security against terrorism (Department of Homeland Security, 2016).
Conclusion
The Department of Homeland Security mission area on prevention of terrorism and enhancement of security has a well-structured system. The approach acknowledges three main segments, which include the prevention of terrorist attacks. Secondly, the prevention of unauthorized possession of weapons and hazardous substances and lastly reduction of vulnerability to key infrastructure and economic resources. The base simulation in Module 1 Case and SLP provides some essential avenues on how to extend and prevent terrorism.
References
Luscombe. R., (2017) Orlando gunman kills five people in workplace shooting, Guardian News and Media Limited, florida
Chavez, N. Grinberg, E. and Vercammen, P., (2017) Police: San Diego gunman called ex- girlfriend during shooting.CNN.Updated 2119 GMT (0519 HKT) May 2, 2017.
Department of Homeland Security, (2016). Prevent Terrorism and Enhance Security, Last Published Date: May 6, 2016
Sunzi, ., & Cleary, T. F. (2017). The art of war. Boston, Mass: Shambhala.
Willis, J. T. (2015). Nowhere to run or hide: Critical essays. West Conshohocken, PA: Infinity Pub.
