week 3 assignment 92

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*******Db1 assignment ******

Homeland security strategic planning is occurring at all levels of government, and the process is interconnected among the levels of government. In Week 3, you learned how the federal homeland security strategic planning process impacts state homeland security strategic planning processes. You explored, at some depth, the provisions in the National Strategy for Homeland Security that relate to state and local government homeland security activities. In Week 3, you also learned that the DHS process for allocating and awarding grants to state and local governments varies greatly from grant to grant, creating a difficult planning environment for state and local governments.

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas:

  • You know that the environment in which current homeland security strategic planning is occurring is dynamic.
    • Do the same dynamic factors at the federal level occur at the state levels of government? Explain.
      • Provide several examples of factors to back up your position.
  • You know that DHS grants to states and local governments vary widely in their allocation and award methodologies.
    • Does the DHS grant allocation and grant-making process complicate state strategic planning efforts? Explain in detail.
  • Information sharing continues to be a key challenge in homeland security strategic planning, especially between the federal and state governments.
    • Do you believe the department-level and national-level homeland security strategies sufficient address this issue? Explain.
      • Justify your position with examples from the strategies.

      *******Db 2 Assignment ******

      A mass-casualty incident (MCI) creates a uniquely challenging management and coordination quagmire. These events can occur as a result of natural disasters, such as a tsunami, earthquake, or hurricane; they can be a result of an accident, such as a ferry sinking during inclement weather; or they can result from an act of violence, such as a terrorist attack like the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing or the attacks of September 11, 2001. In any case, these attacks present a unique challenge to law enforcement, emergency response teams, and government oversight. As you explore the different methods used to deal with MCIs, as well as the different governmental agencies that may be involved, consider the following:Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas:

      • What federal and state agencies are required to deal with an MCI resulting from a terrorist attack? Why?
      • How do you distinguish between federal and state authorities for both operational and management functions? Explain.
        • How do you ensure a fusion of effort between federal and state authorities? Explain.
      • MCIs resulting from terrorist attacks are considered the purview of law enforcement. This creates a challenge during multijurisdictional MCIs. During MCIs resulting from domestic terrorism, such as the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, what law enforcement agency should have primary jurisdiction? Why?
        • How should federal law enforcement engage state and local law enforcement for support? Why?
      • Treating long-term physical and mental health effects following any MCI can prove costly to state governments. How should the federal government work with states to ensure that proper medical and mental health is provided? Explain.
        • What federal and state organizations should be responsible for these efforts? Why?

        ****^Individual Assignment 1*^***

        The purpose of this assignment is to explore the implications of the National Strategy for Homeland Security (NSHS) on state and local homeland security strategies. You work as a program analyst for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the Office of Strategic Planning within the Office of the Secretary. The White House Homeland Security Council has asked the Secretary of Homeland Security to assess the impact of the NSHS on state homeland security strategic planning efforts. The secretary plans to engage with the states in preparing this report but wants an initial assessment of the impacts of the NSHS on state homeland security strategic planning efforts. You are charged with conducting this assessment. Using the resources provided below, as well as information from resources you identify through your own research efforts, your assignment is to craft an executive briefing memo of 2-3 pages that focuses on the instructions posed below. Assignment Guidelines

        • Assumption: The Secretary of Homeland Security, as a former governor, is reasonably aware of the basic connection between the NSHS and state planning efforts. What she is most interested in learning about is where there are challenges, incongruities, or friction between federal homeland security planning efforts as outlined in the NSHS and state efforts to develop comprehensive and effective state-level homeland security strategic plans.
        • Address the following in 2-3 pages:
          • Assignment: Your assignment is to develop an executive-level briefing that provides succinct information to the Secretary of Homeland Security so that she is prepared to engage the states in assessing the impact of the NSHS on state homeland security strategic planning efforts. Your briefing memo should include the following:
            • What have the states had to say about the 2002 and 2007 versions of the NSHS? Explain.
              • Conduct an Internet and library search for writings that shed light on the states’ position.
            • Review the current NSHS, and assess the states’ role.
              • In your opinion, does the NSHS place an unfair burden on states with respect to planning? Explain.
            • Does the 2007 NSHS provide a sufficient road map for states to develop their plans in a way that is complementary? Explain.
              • Where do you see that there are deficiencies or disconnects?
            • Have states embraced the Homeland Security Management System advocated in the 2007 NSHS?
          • Conclude your briefing with the 3 most significant concerns you think the Secretary of Homeland Security should keep in mind when she engages with the states.

      ****individual Assignment 2*****

      You are the senior civilian advisor to the emergency response manager (ERM). The ERM realizes that the psychological impact of a mass-casualty incident (MCI) can be devastating. The ERM is prepared to handle the incident response with emergency personnel and equipment, but he is unsure if the city is prepared for the psychological aftermath. As his senior advisor, you have been asked to generate a white paper study of past MCIs and their psychological impact. The ERM wants the white paper to include 1 terrorist MCI and 1 natural MCI. You are to choose 1 from each category below:

      Terrorist MCIs Natural MCIs
      Sarin Gas Attack, Japan (1995) Hurricane Katrina, United States (2005)
      Oklahoma City Bombing, United States (1995) Tsunami, Indian Ocean (2004)
      Madrid Train Bombings, Spain (2004) Flooding, Pakistan (2010)
      Bali Nightclub Bombings, Indonesia (2002) Galtür Avalanche, Austria (1999)

      Assignment Guidelines

      • Address the following in 900–1,200 words:
        • For each of the selected mass-casualty incidents, discuss the following:
          • Provide a detailed overview of the incident.
          • What was the number of victims killed and wounded?
          • What psychological symptoms are exhibited by direct attack victims?
            • If one is available, include a diagnosis.
          • What psychological symptoms are exhibited by indirect victims, such as family members, friends, and coworkers of the direct victims?
          • What immediate and long-term treatment plans exist for the victims?
      • Remember to fully support your arguments with scholarly resources.
      • Be sure to reference all sources using APA style.