What type of relationship do you think FEMA and the DHS should have in the future regarding the rebuilding of the nation’s all-hazards emergency management system?

Part1

The role of FEMA within the DHS has created many different “camps”—some supporting its inclusion within the DHS and others arguing that the mission of the DHS and FEMA conflict. FEMA also has its share of critics with respect to the agency’s effectiveness in terms of poor management, budget, emergency management plans, and even whether or not it is needed at all. The original purpose of FEMA and its all-hazards mission was clearly altered after 9/11. The creation of the DHS, and its enormous single-minded focus on terrorism, put FEMA on the back burner. Many experts think it is time to re-address the relationship between FEMA and the DHS.

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.

Budget Issues: FEMA Needs Adequate Data, Plans, and Systems to Effectively Manage Resources for Day-to-Day Operations: GAO-07-139. (Links to an external site.) (2007). GAO Reports, 1. EBSCO Permalink: http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mth&AN=23765822&site=eds-live

Holt, K. (2011). Do we need federal agencies like FEMA? (Links to an external site.) New American, 27(22), 21–24. EBSCO Permalink: http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ulh&AN=69718239&site=eds-live

Thompson, B. G. (2006).FEMA reorganization. (Links to an external site.) Fire Engineering, 159(5), 219. EBSCO Permalink: http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mth&AN=21043703&site=eds-live

After reviewing the assignments, lectures, and readings above, you have a good understanding of the relationship that needs to exist between FEMA and the DHS, within the context of improving the nation’s all-hazards emergency management system. For this discussion, respond to the following:

What type of relationship do you think FEMA and the DHS should have in the future regarding the rebuilding of the nation’s all-hazards emergency management system? That is, inclusionary, supervisory, equal partners, etc. Explain your answer.

Part 2

Studies have shown that the public is ready and willing to participate in planning efforts and to be part of a community-based homeland security approach. Overall, communications between the public and the DHS have been poor. Currently, no overall partnership strategy between the government and businesses exists. As we move into the future, community-based participation, communication, and public-private sector partnerships will be critically important in protecting our nation from the local level to the national level. The future homeland security plan needs to be: “For the people, by the people, and of the people.”

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.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (n.d.). Building a disaster resistant community: Project impact. (Links to an external site.) [PDF file size 4.4 MB] Retrieved from http://training.fema.gov/EMIweb/edu/docs/hazriskmanage/Hazards%20Risk%20Mgmt%20-%20Session%204%20-%20Project%20Impact%20Guidebook.pdf

Limelight Communications, Inc. (Producer). (2013). FEMA—Project impact (Links to an external site.) [Video file] [1 min 20 sec]. Retrieved from http://vimeo.com/47254049 (Links to an external site.)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). Private-sector resources. (Links to an external site.) Retrieved from http://www.dhs.gov/private-sector-resources (Links to an external site.)

U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2007). Homeland security: Federal efforts are helping to alleviate some challenges encountered by state and local information fusion centers. (Links to an external site.) Retrieved from http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-35

After reviewing the assignments, lectures, as well as the readings and video above, you have a better understanding of the interdependence of homeland security and public participation, communication, and the role of the business sector in emergency management planning. For this discussion respond to the following:

Explain how you would redefine homeland security readiness within the context of achieving more public participation, better communication, and business sector inclusion in all-hazards emergency management planning.