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Homeland Security Knowledge Management for Local Law Enforcement in the National Capital Region
"Within the last three years, Homeland Security (HLS) has emerged as a new focus for local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation. While local police must effectively address community needs associated with crime and quality of life, they are also now on the front lines of the nations battle against the forces of international terrorism. Using existing knowledge (derived primarily from the emergency management field), police agencies have worked to develop locally relevant, viable and available expertise in the developing field of HLS. If federal estimates are accurate, however, a critical mass of these experts will retire within the next five years. As these organizational experts approach retirement, their communities will be forced to deal with the consequences of an exodus of fundamental knowledge, experience and expertise. Police organizations will be challenged to continue the efficient delivery of homeland security services absent the experts who were instrumental in developing the field. Existing research in Knowledge Management (KM) may offer some guidance to managing this problem. KM seeks to offer organizational guidance on how to identify knowledge generation processes and then leverage, maintain and manage knowledge assets within an organization. This thesis seeks to explore the potential application of KM theories to the real challenges faced by local police agencies in the National Capitol Region as they attempt to effectively engage HLS management."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Walker, Deirdre I.
2005-09
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Resource Sharing: Building Collaboration for Regionalization
"During the past decade the world has witnessed an increase in the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Explosives in the hands of terrorists continue to pose a significant threat. Lessons learned indicate that when traditional explosives become difficult to obtain, bomb makers turn to common chemicals as precursors to manufacture explosives. Only the imagination and the availability of certain chemicals limits the number explosives which can be manufactured with relative ease utilizing common chemicals readily available in our communities. Availability of precursor chemicals and ease by which explosives can be manufactured, increase the potential that IEDs will be deployed in the Homeland and requires a careful study of the options necessary to defeat IED deployment. This thesis analyzes various options, policies and procedures to ascertain which would be most appropriate to defeat explosives manufactured from common chemicals. Options include removing, restricting, and tracking certain chemicals available to the public as well as increasing awareness to emergency responders and the public. State and federal legislation pertaining to methamphetamine laboratories is analyzed to identify potential crossover legislation to counter explosives manufacture. Intelligence gathering and information sharing technologies and procedures are assessed for effectiveness as law enforcement tools."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Reinertson, Susan K.
2005-09
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Towards a Strategic Approach to Special Events Management in the Post-9/11 World
"This thesis reviews background related to counterterrorism and law enforcement planning for major special events and it identifies some of the strategic issues that have emerged in special events management since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It focuses on the subjective and objective components of the systems currently used by DHS and the FBI to categorize and resource special events, and it evaluates whether the current approach to major event planning is sufficient for contemporary counterterrorism challenges. The thesis considers how changes in the present system may improve interagency counterterrorism preparedness. Finally, it applies risk management principles to the interagency special event planning process to determine if these principles are useful for developing a rational, politically defensible, and fiscally responsible approach to federal resource allocation for major special events."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Jones, G. B.
2005-09
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Government Actions in the Demise of the Thugs [1829-1835] and Sikh Terrorist Attacks and Lessons for the United States
From the thesis abstract: "Faced with the very substantial threat of terrorist attack, the United States must ask the question, What actions were taken by other states in the past to successfully combat terrorism? Knowledge of those steps may lead to a greater understanding of what actions are desirable, necessary, or simply unavoidable in its counterterrorism efforts. Having such understanding is needed to plan policies, strategies, and tactics that are effective and acceptable to citizens as well as to the international community. The history of the successful counterterrorism campaigns against the Thugs [1829-1835] and Sikh terrorists [1980-1993] show a number of commonalities in the actions taken by the governments in power at that time. In both cases, abridgement of civil liberties, as per present day standards in the United States, played a major role in the governments campaigns. These two cases, as well as other historic cases, lead to the conclusion that following successful terrorist attacks, civil liberties will be curtailed. The United States must expect this curtailment and should take actions to ensure these actions are temporary, warranted, effective, and do not transgress more than necessary on the nation's fundamental moral values."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Coloe, John A.
2005-09
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Perception or Fact: Measuring the Performance of the Terrorism Early Warning (TEW) Group
"This thesis examines the structure and intelligence process of the Los Angeles Terrorism Early Warning (TEW) Group to assess its effectiveness as measured through the application of a Program Logic Model. This model verifies the links between the assumptions on which the program is based and actual program activities. It further assesses its status as a smart practice based on measurable criteria that are beyond perception or peer approval alone. The TEW is a regional, multi-agency and multi-disciplinary network that functions as a focal point for analyzing the strategic and operational information needed to prevent, mitigate, disrupt and respond to threats and acts of terrorism. Although efforts toward prevention are difficult to measure in any program, input and outcome are assessable. This method provides an effective means to evaluate a program while documenting what works and why. Effectiveness should not be based solely on outputs; a structure that produces them is also an indicator. The objective of this thesis is to establish a benchmark of practical standards for collaborative intelligence sharing operations that can be replicated by other regions and that will establish a common nationwide homeland security intelligence network. Based on these criteria, it is reasonable to conclude that the TEW is in fact a 'smart practice.' It meets its intended goals and objectives when measured according to the parameters of the Program Logic Model, and has a structured process and system that leads to preferred outcomes."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Grossman, Michael
2005-09
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Citizen Involvement in Disaster Management
From the thesis abstract: "Responding and recovering from large scale disasters is extremely labor intensive. Unfortunately, a problem confronting all communities is inability to employ on a regular basis the large number of personnel needed to effectively manage large scale disasters. One possible solution to increase workforce capacity during times of critical need is for emergency managers to integrate a volunteer component into their existing disaster management plan. The federal government is assisting local communities with volunteer recruitment by nationally sponsoring Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Police Service, Medical Reserve Corps, Community Emergency Response Team and Fire Corps programs through county-wide Citizen Corps Councils. The acceptance of volunteers by paid responders can vary significantly from one community to another. The results of a 13 item questionnaire from 50 CERT volunteers from a metropolitan community, who had at least one previous experience working with paid responders during the recovery phase of a large scale disaster identified that 24 percent felt as if they were in the way, 20 percent felt as if they worked harder than the paid responders, 36 percent were given assignments that did not match their skill level or training, only 48 percent were tasked immediately and only 60 percent reported that paid responders were helpful. Encouraging is the fact that even though some experiences may have been less than optimal, 100 percent reported that they would feel comfortable working with the same responders during another event. In addition, two case studies are used to tell the story of CERT volunteers that assisted with the recovery phase after the 2004 hurricane season in Florida. Each case study concludes with a list of lessons learned that emergency managers can consider when planning for similar missions. Primary issues and courses of action are provided to assist community leaders with deciding whether or not volunteers should be integrated into their existing disaster management plans. If the decision is made to integrate volunteers, several recommendations are discussed to assist planners with developing implementation strategies to address the needs and concerns of both populations volunteers and paid responders."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Gonzalez, Michael M.
2005-09
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First Responder Readiness: A Systems Approach to Readiness Assessment Using Model Based Vulnerability Analysis Techniques
"This thesis reviews various tools used by military and civilian First Responders to assess unit readiness. Most civilian readiness assessment tools have fallen short of adequately predicting a response teams probability of mission success or failure. This thesis will explore the use of model based vulnerability analysis techniques and FT++ software as potential tools that could be adopted by the first response community to predict a units operational performance."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Mayer, Harry A.
2005-09
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Preventing Terror Attacks in the Homeland: A New Mission for State and Local Police
From the thesis abstract: "As the Department of Homeland Security continues to develop plans and strategies to guide our government agencies towards a safer environment, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies are struggling to define their role in the Homeland Security Mission. This paper proposes the creation of a National Law Enforcement Network made up of the state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies throughout the country. The network design will allow local agencies to reach beyond the traditional law enforcement approach by establishing formal networks that facilitate local, regional, national and eventually global coordination of an effective strategy aimed at preventing future terror attacks in the homeland. The creation of this network will ensure that every police officer in the United States understands their role in preventing future terror attacks. Drilling down to the lowest local level to include businesses, industry and the private sector, the formation of the network expands our detection and prevention capabilities well beyond our current level."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Lanier, Cathy L.
2005-09
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Homeland Security and Capabilities-Based Planning: Improving National Preparedness
"Beginning in 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began to define and implement a national domestic all-hazards preparedness goal, intended to improve the nations preparedness for national catastrophes, including terrorist attacks. DHSs approach was capabilities-based planning (CBP), adopted from the Department of Defense (DoD). CPB is intended to develop the means"capabilities"for organizations to set priorities responding to a wide range of potential, but uncertain challenges and circumstances, mindful of issues of cost and sustainability. This thesis is intended to help officials better understand CBP and the factors important to its successful implementation. These factors range from setting out the business case for CBP adoption to necessary organizational and cultural enablers. In conclusion, the thesis recommends enhancing the CBP approach to national preparedness planning through integrating its approach with use of a national preparedness management standard, coverage of the mission areas of the National Strategy for Homeland Security, and encouraging performance partnership and collaborative methods."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Caudle, Sharon L.
2005-09
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U.S. Coast Guard Reorganization: Why Merging the Field Units Is Not Enough To Remain Semper Paratus (Always Ready)
"After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. Coast Guard shifted much of its effort toward Maritime Homeland Security activities. In response to this major shift in mission priorities, the Coast Guard is merging its Operational and Marine Safety field units into Sector commands. This reorganization is designed to ensure unity of effort, allow more efficient use of resources, improve training of Coast Guard members, and ensure better customer service. This thesis shows that further reorganization will be necessary at the operational and strategic levels of the Coast Guard. The organization-wide changes recommended by the author will allow the Coast Guard to align with the new Sector field commands, better align with the other agencies within the Department of Homeland Security, and ensure the critical tenets of unity of command, unity of direction, and unity of accountability are realized. Research data gathered for this project included surveys, personal interviews, and a use-case. The author also conducted a detailed review of documents produced at a Coast Guard Reorganization Summit, other internal Coast Guard documents, and the published literature. Based on the results of this study, the author offers 10 recommendations for the leaders of the post-9/11 Coast Guard."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Greene, Lawrence E.
2005-03
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Command and Control of Special Operations Forces Missions in the US Northern Command Area of Responsibility
"The need for a well thought out, planned, and rehearsed command and control organization to conduct special operations in the US Northern Command Area of Responsibility is vital to success in defending the Homeland. Currently, USNORTHCOM does not have an apportioned or assigned command and control structure for the conduct of special operations. This thesis analyzes three courses of action to fulfill this requirement: use the current USNORTHCOM battle staff command structure including the integration of the Standing Joint Force Headquarters-North; rely on the newly formed US Special Operations Command's Joint Task Force Structures; and establish a Theater Special Operations Command North assigned to USNORTHCOM. Through the conduct of analysis and research this thesis recommends that The Joint Staff direct the reorganization required to establish a Theater Special Operations Command North to exercise command and control of special operations forces conducting operations in the USNORTHCOM AOR."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
McGregor, Otis W., III
2005-03
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Assessing the Utility of Work Team Theory in a Unified Command Environment at Catastrophic Incidents
"Since 9/11 much progress has been made by Federal, State and local authorities to prepare for future Catastrophic Incidents. The March 1, 2004 release of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) mandated the use of Unified Command and Incident Management Teams (IMTs) for multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional incidents. These teams have strong potential for improving complex incident management. However, the potential for interagency conflict threatens effectual IMT functioning in the absence of team skills instruction as part of a national training curriculum. The current curriculum teaches technical skills and ICS role responsibilities, and omits skills needed to build healthy team dynamics. Training for IMTs needs to include more than technical skills ("What to do"), and that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should expand the curriculum to include team dynamics ("How to do it"). Further, DHS need not "re-invent the wheel" when looking for sources of team dynamic theory, but need only look to and adapt the experience of business and academia. Over the past 20-25 years a variety of inter-organizational networks and Work Teams have been studied and field tested. This thesis examines literature lessons on the problems shared by Work Teams and IMTs, with particular emphasis on effectiveness and managing conflict."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Templeton, Douglas R.
2005-03
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Building a Contingency Menu: Using Capabilities-Based Planning for Homeland Defense and Homeland Security
"A capabilities-based approach to contingency planning offers important opportunities to strengthen both Homeland Defense and Homeland Security. The Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have already begun moving beyond traditional threat-based and scenario-based planning methodologies toward a more capabilities-based approach, but require embracing this concept more in order to counter challenges in developing contingency plans against current threats to the US Homeland. Additionally, given the critical responsibilities of state and local governments in Homeland Security, this planning approach might be applied far beyond the Federal government. This thesis examines ways that a specialized capabilities-based planning process might be applied to Homeland Defense and Homeland Security, and applies the proposed methodology to two case studies: the US Navy Component of US Northern Command and the New York City Fire Department."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Goss, Thomas J.
2005-03
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Principles of Prevention and the Development of the Prevention Triangle Model for the Evaluation of Terrorism Prevention
From the thesis abstract: "In 'The Principles of Prevention and the Development of the Prevention Triangle Model for the Evaluation of Terrorism Prevention,' we propose the theoretical and practical development of the 'Prevention Triangle,' a graphical model designed to define a system for evaluating national, state, and local terrorism prevention mandates and programs. Based upon objectives detailed in the 'National Strategy for Homeland Security,' and derived through an analysis of selected prevention theories and programs - primarily those aimed at crime prevention - this study first seeks a theoretical basis for the prevention of terrorism in the form of four principles before deriving and defining representative evaluative criteria for designing and measuring the efficacy of prevention programs."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Longshore, David M.N.
2005-03
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Fusing Intelligence with Law Enforcement Information: An Analytic Imperative
From the thesis abstract: "The tragedy of 11 September 2001 revealed two major shortcomings: the US military and the Department of Defense's inability to respond quickly to and defend against the threat posed by foreign terrorists to the United States, and the inability of the Intelligence and Law Enforcement Communities to fuse and analyze foreign threat intelligence with domestic law enforcement information in a timely fashion to provide adequate indications and warning of such an attack. The United States Northern Command Intelligence Directorate (J2) has the primary mission in providing accurate, timely, and relevant indications and warnings of potential threats to the Commander, USNORTHCOM. The USNORTHCOM J2 must be able to use all intelligence sources, including law enforcement information, to better understand the potential threats and capabilities arrayed against it. This enables the USNORTHCOM J2 to provide the Commander, USNORTHCOM an all-source, fused analytic assessment of potential threats as the command carries out its mission to 'deter, prevent, and defeat threats and aggression aimed at the United States,' and thus fulfilling the command's role as the Department of Defense's primary lead command in homeland defense and homeland security."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Thornlow, Christopher C.
2005-03
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Agroterrorism Risk Communication: Challenges and Implications for Communicators
From the thesis abstract: "There are many potential targets for terrorists in the United States, one of which is the food supply system. An attack on the food supply system would create great need for information to many audiences, primarily the general public, about the risk resulting from such an attack. The Multi-State Partnership for Security in Agriculture, a collaborative effort of 10 states, has identified the need for development of a strategy for communicating to the public the risk resulting from an agroterrorism incident. Before the Partnership begins development of a strategy, however, it must take into consideration the factors that are important when communicating about agroterrorism risk: recognition that communication of risk about food carries with it specific challenges; the public's level of trust in government will affect how it perceives and accepts risk messages; and Americans' post-September 11, 2001 fear associated with terrorism alters perception and acceptance of risk. Recognition of the existence of these factors is not enough, however. The Partnership must recognize, as well, that these factors may present barriers to effective communication. To overcome these barriers, the Partnership should apply tried-and-true risk communication principles, tailored to specifically address the factors that make agroterrorism risk communication unique."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Parker, Lucinda J.
2005-03
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Hospital Based First Responder Mass Prophylaxis Plan
From the thesis abstract: "As the United States improves its collective awareness and emergency preparedness in the face of increased terrorist activity, more efforts are being made to create and enhance community readiness for catastrophic events. There have been substantial efforts to improve the nation's bioterrorism preparedness. Better planning, equipment, training, surveillance, and pharmaceutical caches have elevated the nation's readiness for biological attacks. In order to effectively meet the challenges created by a bioterrorism attack, its first lines of defense, the first responders, must be rapidly prophylaxed to allow the continuance of their mission. Many states and localities have tackled the gigantic undertaking of mass prophylaxis plans to provide chemoprophylaxis to civilians should the need arise. Many cities have developed and tested their plans to provide general public mass prophylaxis. It is assumed, or briefly mentioned, that the mass prophylaxis of first responders will occur, but few plans have been developed. The primary objective of this research is to develop, test, and make recommendations for a straightforward, adaptable mass prophylaxis plan to meet the prophylactic requirements of local first responders in the event of a biological attack."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Massey, Mary S.
2005-03
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Court Officers as Certified First Responders Assisting in Homeland Security and Community Emergency Preparedness
"This thesis tests the proposition that training New York State Court Officers to be first responders will add needed resources to the emergency response capabilities of the court system and state and local homeland security. New York State Court Officers have been exposed to a number of terrorists' attacks, including the latest at the World Trade Center in September 2001. In the 'National Strategy for Homeland Security,' it notes that even best-prepared states do not have an adequate amount of resources to respond to terrorist threats. The New York State Courts can add 3,700 new certified first responders an event that occurs in what is arguably the most likely target jurisdiction. The thesis shows that the added value of these officers on a state and local level would be extremely valuable. In light of this identified need for additional trained first responders, this thesis test the proposition that training these officers to become certified first responders will enhance and improve the number of available resources to respond to terrorist incidents."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Williams, Jewel E.
2005-06
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Expanding the Talent Pool in the Area of Homeland Security
"The attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 spurred the growth of the field of homeland security in the United States. It would be beneficial to expand the talent and brain pool from which leaders can be drawn by increasing the number of women and minorities in the area of homeland security. This thesis will discuss the people who would seek careers in government; look at the experience of the military for increasing women officers; examine the mentoring programs in government and the private sector; and the importance of diversity in communicating to the public during an attack or an emergency. The area of homeland security encompasses the fields of law enforcement, fire fighting, emergency medical services, and emergency management. In order to increase the diversity of these fields, it will be necessary to attract, identify, recruit, and mentor women and minorities. Studies and anecdotal information indicate that mentoring programs are beneficial to women and minorities, especially if ones mentor is a senior official or executive in the organization. Such a mentoring relationship is usually fruitful in that the mentee may be exposed to higher level decision makers if selected for important projects and if ones mentor can provide information about the unwritten rules of an organization. Mentoring programs alone will not increase diversity in the area of homeland security. Such change will need the support of senior leaders. It will be necessary to persuade senior leaders that it is to their advantage to have their organizations reflect the diversity of America. This thesis makes some recommendations as to how senior leaders in homeland security can work to increase diversity. Again, nothing can change without the support of senior leaders in actively opening doors and nurturing talented women and minorities."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Yee, Lai Sun M.
2005-12
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Merging the HSC and NSC: Stronger Together
"At the federal level, homeland security is inherently and fundamentally an interagency undertaking. The quality of interagency relationships and processes is central to the success or failure of federal - and national - homeland security activities. Short of giving a single Cabinet secretary directive authority over other Cabinet secretaries during major domestic incidents, the only way to ensure effective unity of effort at the federal level is to exercise strong leadership from the White House. This kind of leadership is needed not just during an actual catastrophe but also when the government is engaged in the day-to-day activities of working to prevent, protect against, and prepare for such catastrophes. In recent years the White House has not played this role, in large part because of the bifurcation of national security issues into a National Security Council and a Homeland Security Council. This article thus suggests that one of the most important and necessary changes the new administration should make is to merge these organizations into a single council with a largely shared professional staff."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Wormuth, Christine E.; White, Jeremy
2009-01
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Disaster Housing for Urban Environments
From the Thesis Abstract: "The purpose of this research was to determine how government agencies can provide more effective post-disaster housing in densely populated urban areas where the infrastructure has been damaged. The thesis analyzed the problems of previous disaster housing efforts both in the United States and abroad using the PESTEL analytical model, which considers the political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal concerns of a given issue. The research identified issues with the expense of post-disaster housing, the availability of land for placement of housing, deployment time, and the unmet needs of victims and those living near post-disaster housing. The thesis provides policy recommendations for government stakeholders that can address the identified issues."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Krieger, Aisha E.
2019-06
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Digital Volunteers in Emergency Management
From the Thesis Abstract: "The meteoric rise of social media applications has fundamentally altered the way citizens share information, but after more than a decade, public safety agencies continue to grapple with how to integrate them into operations. Building on prior research on digital volunteers in humanitarian response, this thesis examined whether the social media model had the potential to enrich sensemaking in emergency operations centers. Interviews were conducted with senior public safety leaders to illuminate the potential advantages and impediments to this strategy, as well as their current integration of social media information. There was universal agreement that social media offers unique insight not replicated by other means. However, the clearest use case was to assist with public messaging in a crisis event. The responders were concerned about the veracity of social media posts, expressed most clearly by law enforcement interviewees. Additionally, there were concerns about how social media information could be broadly shared across agencies to ensure a shared situational awareness. Recommendations include creating a liaison position in the emergency operations center to serve as a social media coordination point, standardizing situational awareness data standards, and leveraging new patterns of volunteer information sharing."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Bout, Danjel L.
2019-06
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Combating Strategic Weapons of Influence on Social Media
From the Thesis Abstract: "This thesis provides an overview of how the Russian Federation deploys strategic weapons of influence through social media with the intent to weaken the United States. The thesis asserts that these influence weapons are a direct threat to U.S. national security and have not been completely neutralized by present countermeasures. In an effort to improve the U.S. response to this threat, this thesis seeks to answer the following questions: (1) How effective has the U.S. government's response been to countering Russia's strategic weapons of influence on social media from the 2016 U.S. presidential election through the end of 2018? (2) How effective has the social media industry's self-regulation been in preventing further platform exploitation by strategic weapons of influence during the same time frame? It finds that both the present governmental and private sector responses have not completely blunted this threat. The Kremlin's continued propagation of socially corrosive, divisive narratives over social media highlights the need for an improved response capability that includes cognitive defenses and a government-housed alert mechanism."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Walker, Robert E.
2019-06
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Diversity in the Fire Service: Beyond Basic Demographics
From the Thesis Abstract: "Research in diversity has failed to study the unique challenges that the fire service's schedule, stress, and culture of tradition pose for diverse workforces. There has also been a lack of depth when researchers have studied demographics in the fire service. This case study uses the history and demographics of the Richmond (VA) Department of Fire and Emergency Services (RFES) to answer the following research question: What can homeland security agencies learn about diversity from the successes and challenges of the City of Richmond's Department of Fire and Emergency Services? This research consists of a qualitative and quantitative study of this fire department. The qualitative study evaluates the factors that had the greatest impact on the work environment. The quantitative study compares RFES to other career departments in Virginia and nationally. The results reveal a large gap, beyond basic demographics, in promotion opportunities for minorities and women in Virginia and national datasets. These same demographic groups in RFES, however, were promoted at rates higher than or equal to their counterparts."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Martin, Bailey C., Jr.
2019-06
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Enacting Policy and Solutions to the Modern-Day Slavery Problem of Forced Labor and Domestic Servitude in Monterey County
From the Thesis Abstract: "For the last several years, the United States has been the number-one destination for inward migration--both legal and illegal. Persons with undocumented immigration status are at a high risk of being targeted by traffickers and forced into modern-day slavery. Of the more than 550 cases of human trafficking reported by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2001, nearly half were from the four most populous states--California, Florida, Texas, and New York--which foster a welcoming environment for immigrants. Within California, Monterey County's labor and industrial profile, with a strong demand for agricultural laborers and hospitality industry service employees, suggests it is at high risk for trafficking. However, the low number of arrests and prosecutions to date indicates that the current level of human trafficking prevention in Monterey County might not be commensurate with its risk. Using the UN's internationally recognized 4Ps anti-trafficking framework, this thesis assesses Monterey County's risk factors for human trafficking and its current approach to combating human trafficking, concluding that there remain many areas in which significant improvement is needed. It then proposes anti-trafficking recommendations for Monterey County reached through investigating approaches used in other areas, including Florida and Texas, with similar socioeconomic indicators."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Craig, Kimbley
2019-06
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When 9-1-1 is Not Enough: Transitioning the 9-1-1 Center into a Multi-Channel Emergency Communications Center
From the Thesis Abstract: "Disasters, terrorist attacks, and network outages have demonstrated the limitations of the 9-1-1 system. Emergency communications centers that remain focused on 9-1-1 as the singular emergency reporting channel fall short of providing a comprehensive emergency response solution in their communities. A change is required to adapt to the modern means of communications, such as text and picture messaging, livestream video, crowdsourcing, apps, sensors, and social media. This thesis reports on the actions taken to transition an emergency communications center into a multi-channel environment capable of building resiliency, and provides supplemental reporting channels, creates situational awareness, and builds more efficient workflows. Using business model generation and lean strategy methodology, this thesis provides a model for implementation strategies and proposes a bottom-up approach to meet individual community needs. This thesis recommends a pathway to shift the culture and strategy in carrying out the mission of emergency communications and responding to requests for emergency services."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Potts, Michelle R.
2019-06
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Fiat Currency, from Wallet to Museum: Accelerating the Inevitable in the Name of Homeland Security
From the Thesis Abstract: "This research examined what influence large-denomination currency has on the financial networks of terror and criminal groups. This thesis analyzed how the removal of the $50 and $100 bills would affect these illicit groups. A historical review identified the use and effectiveness of large-denomination currency in the context of social acceptance and its place in the modern global financial payment system. This thesis employed a comparative policy analysis to examine alternatives to cash as an effort to combat the illicit world of finance. Recommendations include that the U.S. government reevaluate its obligation with respect to large-denomination circulating currencies, and develop alternate financial frameworks that incorporate the restriction or discontinuation of the $50 and $100 notes."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Swangler, Michael J.
2019-06
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Policy, Practice, and the Search for Alpha
"If there were a scale to measure the level of abstraction associated with science, technology, strategy, and policy, we could think of science and technology at one end and strategy and policy at the other. While scientists and technologists often must work to understand and manipulate very small, detailed aspects of a problem (like searching for the value of alpha in a formula that will optimize coverage by a radio signal), policymakers often attend to the large, macro aspects (perhaps deciding who can use available radio frequencies and for what purposes). While both ends of the spectrum are important, my observation is that it is sometimes a challenge for these groups to understand and best benefit from each other. Yet innovations in science and technology can enable policy options that were not previously available and policy goals can drive scientists and technologists to find ways to reach heretofore-unobtainable objectives. To work well, these diverse worlds need to work together. It is with that idea in mind that we present a set of papers recently judged best-in-track and best--in-conference at the 2010 Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Homeland Security Technology (HST) Conference, the tenth annual meeting of this group."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Josefek, Robert
2011-03
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Gamma-Insensitive Fast Neutron Detector with Spectral Source Identification Potential
"Calculations are presented to support the claim that fast neutron detection systems can achieve higher performance in detecting weak neutron sources than conventional thermal neutron detection systems involving moderators. Minimum Detectable Limits (MDL) are used as a comparative metric, more representative than the metric of absolute sensitivity, which does not take into account the influence of natural backgrounds. Monte Carlo simulations are used to show that heavily shielded neutron sources emit a substantial fraction of fast neutrons. Arguments are presented to support the claim that fast neutron detection systems are superior at defeating heavy neutron shielding than thermal systems."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
2011-03
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Using Public Network Infrastructures for UAV Remote Sensing in Civilian Security Operations
"Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) enable the in-depth reconnaissance and surveillance of major incidents. Uncontrolled emissions of liquid or gaseous contaminants in cases of volcanic eruptions, large fires, industrial incidents or terrorist attacks can be analyzed by utilizing UAV. Hence, the use of cognitive Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for distributing mobile sensors in incident areas is in general a significant value added for remote sensing, reconnaissance, surveillance, and communication purposes. Police departments, fire brigades, and other homeland security organizations will have access to medium and small UAV in the near future and will be able to integrate UAV in their work flow. In this paper we focus on the civilian concepts of operations (CONOPS) for UAV, in particular for smallscale UAV. We present viable concepts at the systems level for leveraging public wireless communication networks for UAV-based sensor networks with respect to existing constraints and user requirements."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Daniel, Kai; Wietfeld, Christian
2011-03
