Emergency Planning and Security Preparedness

Patricia Gutierrez

SEC 493

July 15, 2013

David Bagnon

Introduction

The security of our nation is something that is very important to the country. Because of

the horrible events that occurred in September 11, 2001, national security has had to bump up

their security measures. But security is not only for terrorist attacks, it is also put in place to secure

people from natural disasters, before and after the disaster. Technology has helped each agency to better

plan certain for disasters or keeping control as to who comes into the country, thru air, water, or land.

Homeland Security

Homeland Security consists of many government agencies working on protecting the security

of the United States of America. When people think of homeland security, the first thought for

them is terrorist attacks but homeland security even protects when there is a natural disaster. Airport

security is run by Transportation Security Administration. This department of Homeland Security

was created in 2001 after the September 11 attacks. After the attacks, many things changed for

passengers flying. There are more restrictions as to what can be brought on the plane. Liquid could

not be more that certain amount of ounces, all shoes are checked. Passengers wearing jackets must

remove them to get pat downs and now only passengers are allowed at the gates. There technology has

advanced to help them detect explosives or any weapon someone might want to take onto the

plane. Bags left alone in any part of an airport are being inspected and treated with lots of care. After

September 11, people were just more aware of their surroundings at the airports. Passenger names are

also looked at to see if anyone on the list is on the terrorist list. Many people have similar names to

terrorists or people that are just being looked for other crimes committed. A lot of people get

questioned because of this and the agents are tough with these people until they do their job of making

sure its not the criminal. Even if the person knows its not them, it still an uncomfortable position to be

in for a passenger. But the agent has to do their job at the end of the day . Another department

that is talked about a lot is border security. This department secures our borders from illegal drugs

weapons from coming in. It also watches out for people trying to come into the country illegally. Every

year over 300,000 people are caught trying to cross our borders, some by land and others buy water.

The agencies that work securing our borders are Customs and Border Patrol. When it comes to

the national disasters that have been happening over the years, the Federal Emergency Management

Agency also know as FEMA jump in to help with the aftermath. They help with funding and provides

workers to help with emergencies. Like the above mentioned agencies, there a a lot more that work

on the security of the country.

Emergency Security Protocol on Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are destructive events that are caused by changes in the atmosphere and

environment. Wildfires, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes and hurricanes are the natural disasters that the

country has to face every year. Some regions of the country are more prone to getting hit by a certain

disaster more than others. For example, Florida is more likely to get hit by a hurricane than Oklahoma

but Oklahoma is more likely to get him by a tornado than Florida. Either way, natural disasters are

horrible and they hurt many people, kill many people and change others lives forever. Unfortunately

there a natural disasters that give little time for preparation. When a tornado hits, people need to run

for shelter at that moment, there is no time for anything else. There are alarm systems but people have

to react really quick. Hurricanes on the other hand give much more notice. When a hurricane is

threatening a region, its give more time to plan. Areas that are expected to get hit hard, are usually

given a mandatory evacuation. People are asked to protect their homes and any important information

they may have. The protection of human life should be the priority when it comes to national disaster

emergencies. Even thought it is sad to lose material stuff, things can be replaced. There are stuff that

cannot be replaced like pictures but a life comes first. When hurricane Andrew hit south Florida in

1992 many lives were lost. I don't think the city was thinking it was going to be the disaster it was.

Many people stayed in their mobile homes and got blown away. I personally know that hurricane

changed peoples mind and people now take these hurricanes more serious. South Florida looked

like a war zone after Hurricane Andrew.

Technology

Computers and databases allow large amounts of information to be stored and organized. By

utilizing certain programs, information can be connected and clarified in minutes. The information

could then be sent to the proper organization right away. When it comes to hurricanes, they are able to

be monitored with the best technology including an airplane that provide precise measurements of

atmospheric conditions to the National Hurricane Center. When a category 3 or above hurricane begins,

a weather instrument called a dropsonde is released to determine the maximum winds. There is another

instrument of the same dropped to detect the lowest pressure. When it comes to tornadoes, new radars

and spotters give warning with several minutes in advance. In the past, many fatalities happened

because of lack of warning. Unfortunately now days even with warning, fatalities still happen because

some of these tornadoes are monsters and people only have minutes to take cover.

Conclusion

With the way things are going security measures will continue to be priority in our country.

More and more natural disasters are happening like the tornados in Oklahoma that killed so many

people. What could be done better to prevent so many deaths? Maybe more places for people to hide

underground?. The recent terror attacks in Boston will put national security to work on how to prevent

something like this from happening again. Its tough when the events are in open air. When events

are at venues, everyone goes thru some kind of security area. Men and women get padded down and

anyone with a bag needs to get the bag checked before entering the venue. As technology

advances, criminals think of other ways to attack so its a constant battle. Things will never be

perfect but United States will do their best in protecting their people.

References

article retrieved from internet http://greenheritagenews.com/what-does-homeland-security-really-do-to-keep-us-safe/

article retrieved from the internet. www.hurricanehungters.com/missione.html

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