Homeland security: policy, operations, and national defense

Terrorism as defined by the FBI is the illegal use of force against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing a government. It is always done to further political or social objectives. Further, according to FEMA, there are three elements that constitute terrorism:

(1) Terrorist activities are illegal and involve the use of force. (2) The actions are intended to intimidate or coerce. (3) The actions are committed in support of political or social objectives. (FEMA-SS) www.mema.domestic-preparedness.net/glossary.html

Many consider the cultural differences between law enforcement and the fire service to be based in training and training philosophy. According to Dan Jones, editor of Rescue Magazine, "Police officers are taught to function primarily on their own, but firefighters are taught to act as part of a team. It's a little like comparing tennis players to basketball players." Further, the philosophy of fire service personnel is basically one of "protection and rescue," not prevention and arrest. http://www.nfrmag.com/backissues/JulAug2002/editors_note.asp.

3. Many trace today's militia movement back to colonial America, in which every male joined a "militia" to help protect his community. However, whereas the first militias were often encouraged (or started) by government or people in government, the modern version operates separately from the government or state. In simple terms, most militias are in opposition to the government of the United States, but are loyal to the country, itself. They have been known to use terrorist acts to further their cause (the most famous of which may be the Oklahoma City bombing). http://www.worldfreeinternet.net/news/nws33.htmThe

4. Whereas the "threat" against the United States in past decades may have been from other nations, today the main threat against the United States are acts of terrorism carried out by small groups or individuals dedicating to furthering their political or social goals. It is important to note that this does not only apply to Muslim terrorists, but from U.S. Militia members, as well as individuals and groups from other nations.

5. Two different types of emergency planning with regard to Homeland Security are planning by "forecast," that is, predicting the likely actions of terrorists in the future, and developing plans to deal with those forecasted possibilities, and "experience based" planning, taken almost as a model from past incidents (such as the World Trade Center).

6. All types of hazard planning have similar core concepts. At its core, hazard planning utilizes mitigation techniques to "alleviate or eliminate risks to life and property from natural or man-made hazard events." Different methods may include land use regulations (to prevent flooding and other natural disasters), building codes, eventuality planning (especially with regard to key infrastructure facilities), as well as taking steps to "reduce exposure to liabilities, and minimize disruptions to the community."http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?theme=60

7. Two considerations that should be considered in biological incidents include the assessment of the event (determining just what occurred and what biological agent is involved), and scene control (establishing a perimeter to prevent the spread of the contamination as well as determining a point from which decontamination and/or treatment can occur).

8. Blister Agents are chemical substances that are used militarily to cause medical casualties, and slow the activities of the enemy unit/s. In Homeland Security terms, they are used as a possible terrorist weapon. Physically, they affect the eyes, lungs and skin -- causing a kind of burning or blistering reaction. Three examples of blister agents are sulfur mustard, nitrogen mustard, and lewisite. http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/declassdocs/cia/19960626/062596_cia_73926_73926_01.html