Presidential Policy Directive 8 revolves around national preparedness. It’s main goal is to strengthen “… the security and resilience of the United States through systematic preparation for the threats that pose the greatest risk to the security of the Nation, including acts of terrorism, cyber attacks, pandemics, and catastrophic natural disasters…” (Presidential Policy Directive / PPD-8: National Preparedness, 2011). It directs the government to plan out an integrated systematic security framework that will help in preventing, protecting, mitigating, responding to, and recovery from terrorist acts and other such things (i.e. hurricanes and tornados). Also, the directive requires the framework to be scalable, flexible and adaptable.
NIMS is the shortened name for the National Incident Management System. Its basis is to be a “…template for preparedness, planning and response to emergency incidents that is an all-hazard incident management system… (Maniscalco & Christen, 2011, pg. 20). In other words, it’s a guideline for emergency preparedness for any situation. The National Incident Management System doesn’t have any specific responsibilities besides being a standard unified command system. Nonetheless, NIMS does define the roles and responsibilities of the federal, state, and local first responders during an emergency.
NIMS: Federal, State, and local first responder roles and responsibilities defined by NIMS is a very broad subject though. Several of the roles and responsibilities bring out the legal attributes of NIMS. For example, NIMS governs the certification and credentialing of incident responders. When responding to an incident, the incident management system needs the best qualified personnel. The more knowledgeable...
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... able to be used by Federal, State, Local, Private, and non-governmental organizations with any type of emergency. The National Incident Management System is the result of this presidential directive; it creates a well-rounded baseline framework to be used by emergency responders. NRF takes NIMS one step farther; NRF implements a cycle in which there is constant training and improvement. Also, NIMS practices the ICS command system; the ICS command system helps prevent confusion with the chain-in-command. MACS is the support feature when an incident is in unified command. Having a multi-agency coordination system allows for all agencies to have a say in an incident; that way, when they help advise the Incident Commander, the Incident Commander can make an informed tactical decision. As can be seen, NIMS/NRF/MACS and PPD-8 all go hand in hand in incident management.
I think the National Incident Management System is a model to be adapted based on the circumstances. It is a good foundation that can be built upon and tailored to each department based on their specific needs and
Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 directly relates to the National Incident Management System and the National Response Framework. In fact, it directly correlates with their missions. HSPD-5 was the directive that needed to start things in motion; NIMS and the NRF are the aftermath of the directive. With the formation of NIMS and soon after the NRF, America can operate successfully under one national manage...
Waugh, William L, and Gregory Streib. "Collaboration and Leadership for Effective Emergency Management." Public Administration Review, 66.6 (2006): 131-140.
The Pennsylvania Army National Guard is a branch of the United States Army that is mostly used today for homeland security. Although the National Guard is not active like the Reserves or Active Duty Army, they still have the same requirements and same responsibility. More than 22,000 men and women make up the Pennsylvania National Guard and Air National Guard today. They reach from state quarters at Fort Indian Town Gap in Lebanon County to about 100 comunities in the commonwealth. Like all National Guard members they share the same responsibilities. For their federal mission, they are trained and equipped to join the active forces in the time of war or a national emergency. For their state mission, they respond to the orders of the governor, protecting the lives and property of people during man made and natural disasters. Their role extends further than floods, blizzards, and riots, everyday they work to clean up the enviorment, fighting to get rid of drugs and other illegal things on the streets, and they serve as role models to generations to come. With the National Guard today you can earn extra money for college, learn job skills that you can use out of the service, and feel better about yourself by serving your hometown and country.
The National Response Framework is a guide designed to assist local, State, and Federal governments in developing functional capabilities and identifying resources based on hazard identification and risk assessment. It outlines the operating structure and identifies key roles and responsibilities. It established a framework to identify capabilities based on resources and the current situation no matter the size or scale. It integrates organizational structures and standardizes how the Nation at all levels plans to react to incidents. The suspected terrorist attack will have health, economic, social, environment and political long-term effects for my community. This is why it is essential that local government’s response is coordinate with all responders. Response doctrine is comprised of five key principles: (1) engaged partnership, (2) tiered response, (3) scalable, flexible, and adaptable operational capabilities, (4) unity of effort through unified command, and (5) readiness to act. An introductory word about each follows. (Homeland Security, 2008)
In The National Security Strategy of the United States of America, George W. Bush begins by introducing the change in the United States government’s strategy from deterring terrorism and rogue states to a preemptive strategy by acting early before the national security of the United States or its allies is under immediate threat. Through making a reference to the conflict between liberty and totalitarianism in the twentieth century and how it ended in the victory of the forces of freedom, Bush emphasizes that the twenty-first century is a time where human rights and political and economic freedoms are the basis to guarantee future prosperity in countries that share the same principles of liberty. Bush also points out that the Unites States
Both man-made and natural disasters are often devastating, resource draining and disruptive. Having a basic plan ready for these types of disaster events is key to the success of executing and implementing, as well as assessing the aftermath. There are many different ways to create an emergency operations plan (EOP) to encompass a natural and/or man-made disaster, including following the six stage planning process, collection of information, and identification of threats and hazards. The most important aspect of the US emergency management system in preparing for, mitigating, and responding to man-made and natural disasters is the creation, implementation and assessment of a community’s EOP.
In the Executive Order, it states the functions of this cabinet: " The functions of the office shall be to coordinate the executive branch's efforts to detect, prepare for, prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks within the United States" (Sec 3). It clearly states that an act such as terrorism is something not accepted by United States nationals and for anything in relation to it will be handled accordingly. It also makes it clear that terrorism is seen as an irregularity, in consistent with proper conduct and a threat to state power. To be able to exercise these newly established rules and standards; the state must demonstrate some degree of control in power in its implementation process.
On August 26, 1981 Education Secretary Terrel Bell created the National Commission on Excellence in Education. The members appointed by Bell to this team were commissioned to conduct an eighteen month study of primary and secondary education in America. They were to present a detailed, unbiased report on the quality of education in America to the American people by April of 1983.
Local, State and Federal government have unique roles which would allow the flow of communication and resources to transition smoothly during each stage of progression. The local and state level (first responders) are the most important source as they can assess, coordinate and notify the next available resources of what is needed. State and local governments are the front runners of planning for and managing the consequences of a terrorist incident using available resources in the critical hours before Federal assistance can arrive (Managing the Emergency Consequences of Terrorist Incidents, July 2002). A Terrorist Incident Appendix (TIA) was designed to mirror an Emergency Operations Plan in relations to terrorist incidents. The TIA consists of six phases: Initiation, Concept Development, Plan Development, Plan Review Development of supporting plans, procedures and materials and Validation of plans using tabletop, functional, and full scale exercises. The TIA should be compared to those plans of existing Emergency Operation Plans (EOP) in place at the local and state level. Comparing plans before and incident allows time for comparison and revision of the various functions which will prevent disconnects to ensure coordination and
Government preparation efforts had been in the works for years prior to Hurricane Katrina striking the Gulf Coast. In fact a recent as 2004 a hurricane drill was hosted by FEMA simulating a disaster event rivaling that of Hurricane Katrina including the evisceration of the city in also a similar manner. This drill, otherwise known as the “Hurricane Pam” drill, caused enough of an effect to get additional funding for preventative measures.
The concept of homeland security has developed over the last decade. Homeland security as a concept was precipitated by the terrorist attacks of 9/11. However, prior to 9/11 such entities as the Gilmore Commission and the United States Commission on National Security discussed the need to evolve the way national security policy was conceptualized due to the end of the Cold War and the rise of radicalized terrorism. After 9/11, policymakers concluded that a new approach was needed to address the large-scale terrorist attacks. A presidential council and department were established, and a series of presidential directives were issued in the name of “homeland security.” These developments established that homeland security was a distinct, but undefined
However, some sources say that the DHS lead National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) falls well short because of not listening and not sharing information with critical infrastructure owner/operators. The NIPP document created by the DHS is for the government and is not a plan to improve resilience. The document is said to lack private sector information and most feel that the meetings with the government about the document were not heard. As for the information sharing part of the document there are shortcomings that do not enhance national level situational awareness. However, there are seven topics raised in the new document after its original creation four years ago. The first is to elevate security and resilience as the primary aim of CIP efforts. Second, expanding and updating critical infrastructure risk management. Third, focus on national priorities jointly determined by public and private sector. Fourth, integrate cyber and physical security. Fifth, affirm the reality that critical infrastructure security and resilience require international collaboration. Sixth, show continued progress to support execution of the plan at both national and community levels. Lastly, present a detailed Call to Action that includes steps the federal government will undertake to work with partners to make progress toward security and
The National Incident Management System, NIMS was introduced in March 2004, and is the country’s comprehensive approach to incident management. It outlines how first responders from different disciplines and jurisdictions can work together. The NIMS improves the coordination and cooperation between the public and private entities in different domestic incident management activities. It also creates a framework for compatibility and interoperability through balancing standardization and flexibility. As such, NIMS comes up with a flexible framework for the federal government to work together with private entities to manage domestic incident management activities.
Readiness is of the utmost importance with training being the most significant aspect that contributes to Readiness. Each Soldier needs an individual training plan. The plan should take the Soldier from enlistment to discharge or retirement. It is each Soldiers responsibility to be proficient in their field craft. This includes being fit mentally and physically, and trained to win in a complex world. It is the responsibility of the NCO to train these Soldiers. Unit training plans will address the readiness and resilience of individual Soldiers to ensure their fitness to accomplish their mission. Units must conduct realistic training at the individual, squad, platoon and company levels focused on Mission Essential Tasks (METs) for their