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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: CHDS Thesis Series: The Transportation Security Administration's Four Major Security Programs for Mass Transit - How They Can Be Improved to Address the Needs of Tier II Mass Transit Agencies [video]
From the Video Description: "The nation's transit agencies in urban areas have been classified as either Tier I or II. Tier I includes the nation's 8 largest urban areas, with all other urban areas classified as Tier II. Since 9/11 a bulk of the federal government's attention and funding has been directed towards Tier I regions. In his thesis, John Joyce argues that, in light of recent foiled plots against Tier II areas, the changing threat environment requires more protection for areas designated as Tier II." The duration of this video is 6 minutes, 19 seconds. The complete thesis can be accessed at the following web address: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=5544].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Joyce, John P.
2011-08-09
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CHDS Thesis Series: Creating Domestipol: Increasing National Resilience by Reflecting on the NYPD Counterterrorism Model [video]
From the Video Description: "Gus Rodriguez discusses the challenges of information sharing between police departments in the 50 largest cities in the US, advocating a model similar to INTERPOL [International Criminal Police Organization], but on an inter-state level, called DOMESTIPOL [domestic Interpol]. Conducting his research through largely open-source information, Rodriguez advocates an increased emphasis on 'horizontal' communication - between different departments around the country - in addition to 'vertical' communication - between local, state and federal levels." The duration of the video is 7 minutes and 13 seconds.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Rodriguez, Gustavo
2011-08-10
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CHDS Thesis Series: Effective Selection: A Study of First-Line Supervisor Selection Processes in The Department of Homeland Security [video]
From the Video Description: "Leadership is crucial in any organization. While executive leadership provides guidance, direction and structure, first-line supervisors ensure that the vision, guidance and direction of executive leaders become reality in an organization. Additionally, they are responsible for the morale and motivation of nonsupervisory employees. Mark Kaminsky discusses his thesis, which seeks to resolve confusion about the selection process of first-line supervisors, examines what kind of effect a successful supervisor has on his or her employees and relates this to it affects what kind of work is produced by federal agencies." The duration of this video is 7 minutes and 53 seconds. The complete thesis can be accessed at the following web address: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=5542].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Kaminsky, Mark T.
2011-08-10
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: CHDS Thesis Series: Freed: Ripples of the Convicted and Released Terrorist in America [video]
"Inevitably, convicted terrorists will be released from American prisons. Can the government do anything to prevent their future involvement in terrorist activities? How has the government dealt with this issue in the past, and what is the present standard operating procedure? Michael Brown discusses how his thesis explores this controversial, and yet largely unexplored phase on the terrorist continuum." The duration of this video is 8 minutes and 8 seconds. The complete thesis can be accessed at the following web address: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=5551]
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Brown, Michael A.
2011-08-10
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: CHDS Thesis Series: Before the Emergency: A Framework for Evaluating Emergency Preparedness Alternatives at Higher Education Institutions [video]
From the Video Description: "In this recently published thesis, Laura Wilson gathered information about the ways in which 10 higher education institutions (HEIs) in the U.S. are currently making decisions about which emergency preparedness activities to pursue and how those most familiar with emergency management at HEIs think that these decisions should be made. Using this information, in concert with principles from the field of decision analysis, a conceptual framework was developed to enable decision makers to evaluate proposed preparedness alternatives using a normative approach to decision making." The duration of this video is 7 minutes, 19 seconds. The complete thesis can be accessed at the following web address: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=15954].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Wilson, Laura L.
2010-11-11
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: Imagination First and The Guiding Lights - The Importance of Creativity and Mentorship [video]
From the Video Description: "Is imagination's role in Homeland Security (HS) undervalued? Eric Liu speaks about the use of creativity to help plan for future HS scenarios and the mentors who inspire others to break through static paradigms and develop new, more flexible and effective programs designed to tackle the Homeland Security problems of today and tomorrow." The duration of this video is 16 minutes and 23 seconds.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Liu, Eric
2011-01-11
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Balas Y Barrios: An Analysis of U.S. Domestic and Regional Anti-Gang Policies from a Human Security Perspective
From the thesis Abstract: "Threats to human security from transnational organized crime (TOC) and gangs have increased since the 1990s in the Americas. The United States implemented the Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime, the U.S. Strategy to Combat the Threat of Criminal Gangs from Central America and Mexico, and the Mérida Initiative in response. This thesis employs a multi-goal policy to evaluate how effectively U.S. policy responses achieved desired outcomes. For comparison, this thesis analyzes the Canadian gang violence strategy, examining what has worked and what has not worked. Findings demonstrate that law enforcement tactics prioritized within the U.S. strategy result in outputs, but they fail to impact gang violence outcomes. Prevention programs, on the other hand, both in Canadian and U.S. strategies, are effective in reducing gang crime and violence but are under-resourced and undervalued in U.S. endeavors. This thesis proposes that a comprehensive approach is better aligned with current expert gang research and more effective in producing desired outcomes. Recommendations include funding the Juvenile Justice Reform Act and rebalancing Mérida funding to support United States Agency for International Development prevention programs; integrating federal, state, and local partnerships through a community coalition council through the Department of Justice; evaluating the Treasury's TOC designation status; and supporting complementary prevention and rehabilitation." A 10 minute and 47 second interview on this thesis is also available at the following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=866882].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Pfaffinger, Maximillian X.
2021-12
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You Don't Have to Live Like a Refugee: An Analysis of Selected Refugee Resettlement Programs to Improve Comprehensive Integration Outcomes in 'Free Case' Refugee Resettlement
From the Thesis Abstract: "By law, refugees entering the United States must become self-sufficient as quickly as possible. But successful integration means more than achieving this benchmark. True integration involves social inclusion and ties to community and nation--particularly difficult for 'free case' refugees who have no family in the U.S. and are wholly reliant upon resettlement organizations. This thesis asks the question: How can free case refugee resettlement practices be improved to enhance the likelihood of sociocultural integration and create stronger ties to the United States? A comparative assessment of three resettlement programs was undertaken to identify best practices. Integration success was assessed through statistical measures such as percentage of refugees who self-migrated after initial resettlement, and subjective measures of wellbeing and satisfaction as reported by refugees themselves. The analysis found refugees served by programs that lasted two years, as opposed to one year or less, reported a high degree of wellbeing and satisfaction, and less secondary migration. Moreover, refugees who were required to stay in a location for an extended period were less likely to engage in secondary migration afterward. This thesis recommends national refugee resettlement policy be updated to require local resettlement programs last a minimum of two years and that free case refugees must remain in their original resettlement location in exchange for three years of resettlement assistance." A 17 minute and 30 second interview on this thesis is also available at the following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=866875].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Bierman, Wilhelm F.
2019-12
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Revitalizing Maritime Security: Is Smart the Next Element?
From the Thesis Abstract: "Project Seahawk is a multiagency program that brings state-of-the-art technology and a regional approach to the problem of port security critical infrastructure in Charleston, South Carolina. Project Seahawk, now known as the Seahawk Interagency Operation Center (IOC), is alive within the confines of the United States Coast Guard, albeit as a smaller project. The Special Maritime Action Response Team (SMART) would be a multidisciplinary, multiagency unit that protects the maritime domain of South Carolina using intelligence gathered by the Seahawk IOC. This thesis examines potential challenges to the process of forming SMART with the Seahawk IOC, particularly the security capability gaps in the maritime domain with federal, state, and local stakeholders due to insufficient manpower and funding. The SMART concept will use elements of National Security Presidential Directive 41 and Homeland Security Presidential Directive 13 as a baseline for evaluating the maritime security capability. The SMART concept will make Seahawk more efficient in handling maritime criminal threats to radiation detection in Charleston by providing the first responder with an avenue of options. The Seahawk IOC addresses the security capability gaps, but SMART will be more effective in the Lowcountry maritime domain. Together, the Seahawk IOC and SMART will be a one-stop shop for interagency maritime security in Charleston." A 14 minute and 13 second interview on this thesis is also available at the following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=866876].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Makins, Marion C., Jr.
2019-12
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Two Teams, One Mission: A Study Using EMS Units in Hospital Triage During Active-Shooter and Other Mass-Casualty Events
From the Thesis Abstract: "The Las Vegas Route 91 shooting, as well as other recent mass-casualty events, have exposed gaps in the response of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and hospitals to these types of incidents. This research sought to examine whether the use of EMS field resources in hospital triage could enhance the overall response to active-shooter and other mass-casualty events. Case studies of the Boston Marathon bombing and the Route 91 shooting were conducted. Additionally, an exercise by St. Marks Hospital testing the concept of EMS triage at hospitals was analyzed. The Las Vegas case study revealed significant gaps in hospital and EMS response and the Boston Marathon case study showed just how efficient hybrid teams of hospital and EMS personnel could be. A review of the St. Marks exercise showed that EMS crews at the hospital significantly enhanced the efficiency and efficacy of the triage operation. Finally, current EMS operations were reviewed and recommendations made to allow EMS crews to be assigned to the nearest hospitals without harming the on-scene response to these incidents." A 9 minute interview on this thesis is also available at the following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=866878].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Simons, Thomas B.
2019-12
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: CHDS Thesis Series: Making Sense in the Edge of Chaos: A Framework for Effective Initial Response Efforts to Large-Scale Incidents [video]
From the Video Description: "A review of response efforts to 9/11 revealed considerable challenges to resolving an event of this magnitude. To cope with these challenges, the federal government created the National Incident Management System (NIMS), an organizational structure intended to manage resources and channel communication between disparate agencies working together to solve a catastrophic crisis. Yet, first responders who have been on-scene at large-scale events know there is an initial phase of chaos during which the forms, checklists and organizational structure of NIMS offer them little help for making sense of the situation. A large-scale event moves through the four phases of the cynefin framework: chaotic, complex, complicated and simple. First responders must insert themselves into the initial chaos and begin to move it toward complexity. NIMS, then, becomes a valuable tool in the complicated arena to help restore the simple order of pre-event normalcy." The duration of this video is 9 minutes, 7 seconds. The complete thesis can be accessed at the following web address: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=16032].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Renaud, Cynthia E.
2010-11-11
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: CHDS Thesis Series: Strategy Policy for Pandemic Vaccine Distribution [video]
From the Video Description: "The traditional public health model for mass vaccination, which is based on the assumption that workforce will be sufficient to mount a campaign, is flawed. Funding initiatives by Congress, while addressing certain inadequacies, have failed to consider workforce capacity that continued to decline resulting from state and local budget cuts. Thus, as the nation prepared for its first pandemic in 40 years and first of the twenty-first century, it found itself unprepared for a mass vaccination campaign." The duration of this video is 11 minutes, 8 seconds. The complete thesis can be accessed at the following web address: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=15967].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Russo, Thomas P.
2010-11-11
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Engaging Children and Youth, via K-12 School Curricula, to Build a Culture of Disaster Preparedness
From the Thesis Abstract: "Despite the impacts of natural disasters increasing across the United States, a significant percentage of Americans remain unprepared for disasters. Children and youth are disproportionally impacted by these events, but they also have the potential to be major assets in disaster preparedness. This thesis analyzes how to engage children and youth to facilitate behavioral change and build a culture of disaster preparedness. A comparative analysis of primary and secondary school curricula for disaster preparedness content, including case studies from the United States, France, and New Zealand, establishes a set of evaluation criteria, including curriculum scope; engaged learning; parental, school, and community involvement; and effective evaluation. This thesis finds that the United States could improve and expand existing curricula, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Student Tools for Emergency Planning program, and work to integrate disaster preparedness curricula into existing school safety and mandatory public health curriculum requirements. By reaching children and youth with disaster preparedness information, the United States can work to shift values and social norms around the topic, similar to past successes seen with such issues as anti-smoking and seatbelt enforcement." A 9 minute and 19 second interview on this thesis is also available at the following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=866896].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Hayward, Kimberly A.
2019-12
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Improved Web 2.0 Strategy for FEMA to Enable Collaboration and a Shared Situational Awareness Across the Whole of Community
From the thesis abstract: "The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has adopted a Whole of Community approach to emergency management, and seeks to enhance emergency management outcomes through improved preparedness, response and recovery efforts. The significant amount of time and money required engaging disparate partners, technological and cultural barriers to interoperability, and a lack of training/familiarity with each other inhibits the collaboration necessary to achieve a state of shared situational awareness. A lack of shared situational awareness results in an incomplete operating picture, which complicates decision-making and can lead to inefficient preparedness, response and recovery activities. This thesis explores the terms situational awareness, shared situational awareness, collaboration and common operating picture. It argues that a common operating picture is a state of shared situational awareness achievable only through the process of collaboration, which can be greatly enhanced through a comprehensive Web 2.0 strategy. The thesis reviews FEMAs current strategy for Web 2.0, and using a structure of appreciative inquiry and successful implementations of Web 2.0 as a guide, proposes strategy adjustments for FEMA. A comprehensive Web 2.0 strategy can foster a culture of collaboration, which will significantly increase FEMAs ability to achieve enhance emergency management outcomes and support the Whole of Community. FEMAs strategy has applicability throughout the homeland security enterprise, as all agencies therein seek a state of shared situational awareness reflected in a common operating picture, and all are considered part of the Whole of Community."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Johnson, Samuel Rhodes, II
2012-03
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Beyond Sister City Agreements: Exploring the Challenges to Full International Interoperability
From the thesis abstract: "Communities on the international border are often interconnected by more than simple proximity. They are connected through social networks, economy, culture, and shared natural resources. Despite this interdependent relationship, and in spite of international agreements that support mutual aid between countries, crossing the border with emergency resources, even for a humanitarian purpose, can be problematic. This thesis examined existing agreements on both the northern and southern U.S. borders to determine how various regions address their cross-border agreements. Research indicated that unique challenges-such as liability concerns, local politics, and border violence-along the Mexican border must be addressed. By examining the fuller context, this thesis recommends that local entities examine their specific challenges to establishing fully interoperable agreements. Local interoperability agreements just might move us beyond 'sister city agreements' and put us on the path toward functional international partnerships."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Shanks, Calvin D.
2016-03
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Institutionalizing Resilience: Catastrophic Power Outage Planning for Correctional Institutions
From the thesis Abstract: "The Federal Emergency Management Agency has invested several years of planning into preparations for long-term power outages in the United States. However, planning for correctional institutions has been missing from most power-outage plans. Therefore, individual jails and prison systems are responsible for building resilient organizations from within. It is unlikely that the United States will require correctional institutions to comply with guidance for federal emergency planning mandates. This thesis focuses on the effects of emergencies in correctional institutions that experienced extended power outages. The research analyzed the emergency planning and response efforts of two significant events and evaluated the impacts on the staff, inmates, and other stakeholders. This thesis found that a failure to prioritize emergency planning in these correctional institutions was the catalyst to poor responses with adverse consequences. Systemic failures in planning for emergencies created the greatest challenges for the institutions. This thesis supports the idea that correctional institutions should consider implementing the behaviors of high-reliability organizations to build resilient institutions in advance of future emergencies. Using the framework that guides high-reliability organizations, correctional institutions should focus on planning for disasters and mitigating failures to improve their response to the most catastrophic of disasters."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Kohler, Shena J.
2022-03
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Connecting the Dots of an Opaque Crime: Analyzing the Information-Sharing Framework and Practices of California's Human-Trafficking Task Forces
From the thesis Abstract: "This thesis explores existing frameworks and common challenges with information sharing among California's anti-human trafficking specialty units. This research aimed to contextualize current gaps and barriers in the collection and dissemination process of sensitive and confidential human-trafficking information. The research identified social, economic, and human interpersonal factors affecting group work and illustrated how a nuanced application of the social identity analytical method might decrease interpersonal misunderstandings and miscommunications, thus increasing the volume and quantity of anti-trafficking information sharing. The findings of this research indicate that when anti-trafficking specialty units do not work together seamlessly, they foster programmatic and societal shadows that traffickers rely on to exploit their victims. Gaining an in-depth perspective on working group members' social identities will increase trust within the groups, thereby promoting cooperation, coordination, and collaboration. Elevating all forms of group work is likely to spur analytical insights into the evolving tactics, techniques, and procedures of the threat actors, not to mention identify previously unrecognized victims while building more successful prosecutions."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Greer, Benjamin Thomas
2022-03
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Conflicts and Common Ground: The Fiscal Relationship Between FEMA, States, and Local Governments
From the thesis Abstract: "All communities need to know what to do during an emergency. Developed with the help of federal grant dollars, emergency management programs have advanced public safety capabilities throughout the country, across federal, state, and local boundaries. However, the disparity in state-level funding contributions is concerning given the critical role of emergency management in helping communities during emergencies and disasters. How should emergency management be funded at the state level? This thesis examines the fiscal relationship between federal, state, and local governments to help advance the discussion about how emergency management should be funded at the state level. After analyzing the research materials and supporting documentation, the review presents alternative perspectives from each level of government to demonstrate the potential outcomes and conflicting trade-offs. An assessment of the research led to suggestions on how to balance the alternative perspectives, which appear to compete in some respects but also share some common ground. The final evaluation includes recommendations for states determined to be potentially vulnerable based on the results of the data analysis, which show that some states invest much more than their federal funding allocation while others spend considerably less, thus relying heavily on federal funds. It concludes with a summary of the purpose for this research and its importance in the emergency management enterprise."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Luna, Justin
2022-03
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Connecting Our Nation's Crisis Information Management Systems
From the thesis abstract: "Many states and localities have implemented Crisis Information Management Systems (CIMS) to integrate situational awareness, notification and disaster assessment tools utilized in Emergency Operation Centers (EOC)s and to eliminate separate stovepipe communications. In February 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the deployment of the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) as the primary means for all jurisdictions and levels of government to share information. The system is redundant with state and local CIMS, which have and are being developed. Implementing both the integration and interoperability of EOCs requires that the systems used every day be connected; this cannot be achieved through the development of a new system. To implement this solution will require four steps: 1) Jurisdictions utilizing CIMS should do more to leverage built in capabilities and jurisdictions without CIMS systems to consider purchasing, 2) Jurisdictions should integrate the individual information systems currently in use with the jurisdiction's CIMS, 3) Jurisdictions should improve their systems' abilities to collect and store information, and 4) Jurisdictions should create a portal to allow specific information to be shared across larger regional areas at their discretion and with greater control over who receives the information."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Voss, Christopher
2008-12
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Deciding Who Lives: Considered Risk Casualty Decisions in Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "Homeland security was changed by the events of September 11, 2001, including how we make life and death decisions. Terrorism, all hazards, and public health issues increase the number of decisions involving the expenditure of civilian lives. These Considered Risk Casualties are akin to the military concept of "acceptable losses." Homeland security professionals have little or no experience, let alone guidance, in decision making under circumstances that bring this condition to the civilian population. Other disciplines such as philosophy, theology, bioethics, and the military, etc. have examined principles that are involved in the concept of accepting loss of life and have identified theoretical circumstances under which acceptance is achieved. Homeland security has had little discussion of these matters and virtually no criteria to support such decision making. Examining the observations, and how those disciplines test the concept, can inform and assist homeland security practitioners when having to make these decisions. Examining homeland security events that addressed loss of life can expand the range of scenarios those disciplines use for their analysis. An educational process that draws on other sectors' experience can serve to improve decision-making capabilities. Future research opportunities exist within and external to homeland security and those disciplines."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Mahoney, Robert T.
2008-12
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Emergency Management Span of Control: Optimizing Organizational Structures to Better Prepare Vermont for the Next Major or Catastrophic Disaster
From the thesis abstract: "During a statewide disaster in Vermont, one of the most important actions Vermont Emergency Management should take during the response phase is to maintain awareness of the situation and provide coordinated logistical support. If the State does not understand what is occurring, or is not able to perform resource coordination in support of response efforts across the State, then local and state responses are not coordinated, and actionable federal requests for assistance cannot be articulated. Forty-five states have county emergency management structures between municipal and state structures, which regionalize emergency management within those states. Of the five states without county emergency management structures, Rhode Island has 39 municipalities, Connecticut and Massachusetts have established regional emergency management structures that do not align with counties, New Hampshire has 234 municipalities linked to the state emergency management center, and the State of Vermont has 251 municipal Emergency Management Directors who are linked directly to a single state Emergency Operations Center. This paper examines emergency management span of control nationally, surveys emergency management directors in four New England states, and proposes a regional construct for emergency management in Vermont, to enable effective emergency management during the next man-made or natural disaster."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Schumacher, Ludwig J.
2008-12
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How Should Municipal Police Agencies Participate in America's Homeland Security Strategy?
"The majority of municipal law enforcement agencies in the United States are not proactively contributing to America's homeland security, counterterrorism or domestic intelligence efforts. These agencies -- the country's most critical domestic security assets -- sit idle on the homeland security sidelines as terrorism becomes increasingly prolific, lethal, asymmetric, transnational, and closer to our hometowns. Seven years after 9/11, there is no nationwide, municipal-level network of homeland security professionals across the United States. There is no preventative-based, forward-thinking system for domestic intelligence collection. And the vast majority of police departments lack homeland security or terrorism specialists. Furthermore, neither federal nor state strategy has clearly defined specific homeland security roles and responsibilities for municipal police departments. And, as of this writing, there is no municipal-level homeland security strategy. Most importantly, no realistic federal or state strategy has been put forth that integrates all of America's homeland security assets-- including municipal police officers - into a single synergistic design. This thesis examines three policy options and arrives at a conclusion as to which option America should implement to effectively protect our citizenry from terrorists. This thesis introduces the concept of 'municipal homeland security' and defines the specific roles and responsibilities of municipal police agencies."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Andreas, Michael D.
2008-12
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Transportation Security Leadership: The Right Stuff?
"This thesis focuses on the evolving concepts of network leadership, and managing by network. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the agencies that make it up have daunting, complex challenges to face in protecting the homeland. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), as a part of DHS, similarly has complex challenges in protecting the U.S. transportation systems from terrorist threats. With the growing complexity and global nature of the terrorist networks, it requires leadership that is collaborative, integrative, and able to take a holistic leadership approach. In the TSA, the Federal Security Director (FSD) position has a field leadership role in developing and supporting transportation security and anti-terrorism plans and activities with stakeholders across the nation. The FSD's mission is to build effective multi-modal transportation security networks. The findings support that network leadership is seen by FSDs, stakeholders, and TSA executives to be the future leadership model for transportation security. The issue focuses on which skills, paradigms, education, organizational strategies and structures will allow FSDs to become skillful network leaders. Areas with the potential to strengthen network leadership in the TSA's Federal Security Director cadre include FSD role clarification, leadership culture and capacity, organizational structure and strategies, and a stakeholder collaboration framework."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Burke, Karen
2008-12
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Transforming the U.S. Immigration System after 9/11: The Impact of Organizational Change and Collaboration in the Context of Homeland Security
"The terrorist attacks on 9/11 led to a fundamental reorganization of the U.S. immigration structure. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was abolished in 2003 and its missions were transferred into three distinct components within DHS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This thesis focuses on the perceptions of USCIS employees on organizational change and collaboration in the DHS immigration structure that was established in 2003. Effective organizational change is essential for an agency to carry out policies and execute its missions. Collaboration is also vital to USCIS since it works closely with ICE in combating immigration benefit fraud to strengthen the security of the legal immigration system. This thesis identifies areas for USCIS regarding future organizational change and enhancements to collaboration with a homeland security partner such as ICE. It further identifies areas such as collaborative competencies, trust and networks to improve collaboration between USCIS and ICE in targeting immigration benefit fraud."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Wolfe, David
2008-12
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Expansion of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Criminal Alien Program in the War on Terror
"The continued presence of criminal aliens, non-citizens present in the United States either legally or illegally, poses a significant threat to the security of this Nation. While criminal aliens are present at all levels of our criminal justice system, ICE's current Criminal Alien Program only addresses criminal aliens encountered at the state and federal level. This thesis examines how ICE's Criminal Alien Program can be expanded at the local and county level, the possible effects this expansion will have upon ICE in detaining and removing criminal aliens and whether this removal of criminal aliens is an effective and efficient weapon in a terrorist prevention strategy. Individuals from the Joint Terrorism Task Force and NYC Police Department's Shield were interviewed concerning whether the efficient removal of criminal aliens is an effective tool in the war on terror. In researching this thesis of expansion of ICE's Criminal Alien Program and the issues that arise from such expansion, structured formal interviews were conducted of a representative mix of ICE field officials varying in size and physical location in the United States. The creation of a megacommunity amongst the stakeholders involved in ICE's Criminal Alien Program should be included in U.S. counterterrorism strategy."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Michalec Olszewski, Laura
2008-12
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Public/Private Partnerships with Hazardous Material Motor Carriers: Creating Incentives to Increase Security through Assessed Risk (Star)
"On September 11, 2001, terrorists used commercial airliners as weapons of terror inside the United States, and America's approach to security was forever changed. While commercial airliners were the weapons of choice on that day, the 9/11 Commission recognized that Al Qaeda and other groups had, prior to the use of airlines, used suicide vehicles, namely, truck bombs, to commit terrorist acts. The threat from hazmat trucks continues today. There can be no doubt that terrorists are interested in using hazmat trucks as weapons within the borders of the United States. In 2004, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's visit to Iraq was punctuated by a fuel-truck attack that burned a section of Baghdad. More recently, terrorists in Iraq have used chlorine-based truck bombs repeatedly as a weapon in the Iraq war. The Department of Transportation (DOT) recognizes that hazmat trucks are "dangerous and ready-made weapons" and are "especially attractive" to terrorists. Stephen Gale, a University of Pennsylvania professor and terrorism expert, agrees that hazmat trucks are essentially ready-made bombs that are "tailor-made" for terrorists to conduct an attack at the lowest cost and with the greatest impact. In fact, terrorism experts consider trucks to be one of the best tools a terrorist can use to breach security measures and carry explosives since the U.S. airline industry significantly increased security procedures. The ability of the government to secure every hazardous materials motor carrier against terrorist attack is severely limited, yet the potential that hazardous materials trucks will be used in terrorist attacks is great. Therefore, it is important to consider whether the security of hazardous materials motor carriers can be improved voluntarily and quickly by realigning existing resources and instituting a plan that leverages market forces and other incentives. This thesis introduces a unique voluntary incentive-based program, Security Through Assessed Risk (STAR) that can be used to increase security for a vast number of presently under protected hazardous materials motor carriers. It explains how TSA can leverage existing resources as well as successful ideas from both private sector and governmental programs to rapidly and significantly enhance the security of hazardous materials motor carriers."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Colsky, Andrew E., Esq.
2008-12
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Virtual Communities in the Law Enforcement Environment: Do These Systems Lead to Enhanced Organizational Memory
"There is a large body of research on the topic of knowledge management and organizational memory, as well as on the topic of communities of practice and virtual communities of practice. This research looked at three law enforcement and intelligence related case studies and how the use of Virtual Communities of Practice (VCoP) in these law enforcement environments can mitigate the loss of organizational memory. This research looked at these VCoPs in an attempt to determine if explicit and tacit knowledge shared in these VCoP environments can be codified and ultimately reduce the loss of organizational memory. The research methodology used in this thesis project is the case study approach. A qualitative analysis of messages, postings, and conversations contained within the VCoP was used to identify the transfer of both explicit and tacit knowledge. Data collection and analysis was conducted based on three VCoP sites. The research conducted for this thesis suggested that a VCoP can mitigate the loss of organizational memory. Interview data, along with case site reviews, support the use of VCoP to mitigate the loss of organizational memory while providing a means for the transfer of explicit knowledge by those participating in the VCoP."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Yavneh, Jonathan S.
2008-12
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Enhancing Recruitment and Retention of Volunteers in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
"The U.S. Coast Guard lacks the personnel and resources to fill critical gaps in its safety and security missions without help from its volunteer arm, the Coast Guard Auxiliary. It is for this reason that Department of Homeland Security and Coast Guard leaders have become dependent on the Auxiliary to achieve a number of Coast Guard missions, a reliance that has become more tenuous as Auxiliary membership dropped 20.61% since 2003 to the current 28,635. This trend is in sharp contrast to membership trends in other large volunteer groups in the U.S. Further, at its current strength, the Auxiliary is far from the 48,000 member goal declared mission-critical by 2000 in the 1987 Coast Guard report to the U.S. Congress. This thesis describes the Auxiliary's 69-year history and examines the reasons for the organization's decreasing membership. In this process, the thesis also revealed the absence of a systematic, quantitative tool to assess Auxiliary recruiting and retention practices. This thesis proposes the use of the Coast Guard Organizational Assessment Survey, already administered to all other components of the Coast Guard and which, tailored to the Auxiliary, would be extremely effective in stimulating a genuinely useful approach to increasing Auxiliary membership."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Dooris, Matthew D.
2008-12
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Preventive Detention in the War on Terror: A Plan for a More Moderate and Sustainable Solution
"After September 11, 2001, the Bush Administration decided to detain certain individuals suspected of being members or agents of al Qaeda or the Taliban as enemy combatants and hold them indefinitely and incommunicado for the duration of the war on terror. The rationale behind this system of preventive detention is to incapacitate suspected terrorists, facilitate interrogation, and hold them when traditional criminal charges are not feasible for a variety of reasons. While the rationale for preventive detention is legitimate and the need for preventive detention real, the current Administration's approach has been reactionary, illogical, and probably unconstitutional. This thesis explores the underlying rationales for preventive detention as a tool in this war on terror; analyzes the legal obstacles to creating a preventive-detention regime; discusses how Israel and Britain have dealt with incapacitation and interrogation of terrorists; and compares several alternative ideas to the Administration's enemy-combatant policy under a nonpartisan methodology that looks at questions of lawfulness, the balance between liberty and security, and institutional efficiency. In the end, this thesis recommends using the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to monitor a narrow regime of preventive detention only to be used under certain prescribed circumstances where interrogation and/or incapacitation are the justifications. Note: This thesis was published as a book by Cambria Press in November 2008. The book is entitled 'The Necessary Evil of Preventive Detention in the War on Terror: a Plan for a More Moderate and Sustainable Solution.' An excerpt of the thesis based on Chapter V was published by 'Homeland Security Affairs' in October 2008 [http://www.hsaj.org/?article=4.3.1]. An excerpt based on Chapters III and IV, entitled 'The Why and How of Preventive Detention in the War on Terror,' will be published by The Thomas M. Cooley Law Review in the Spring of 2009."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Blum, Stephanie
2008-12
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Contingency-Focused Financial Management and Logistics for the U.S. Coast Guard
From the thesis abstract: "The Coast Guard has had significant success conducting response operations during major contingencies. And yet, mission execution has been buoyed and supported in an ad hoc fashion by the logistics and financial management structure of the organization. Should ad hoc efforts fail in the future, the Coast Guard may find itself unprepared for managing the logistical and financial challenges of widespread contingencies. Shortfalls in the existing approach to contingency preparedness include: a lack of contingency-based financial and logistics policies, unprepared contingency cost accounting mechanisms, a non-resilient financial management community, a lack of geographically focused logistics plans for a range of contingencies and, operational and logistical professionals are not adequately trained for contingency resource management. Qualitative research and reviews of after action reports indicate that there are solutions to these challenges. Recommendations include establishing policy on cost tracking, pre-contracting and rapid procurement, modifying the financial systems readiness to track costs, developing an information sharing and collaborative construct with other units and agencies using a Contingency Logistics Planning Group (CLPG), building resilience in contingency procurement through Advanced Readiness Contracting and meeting the 'human aspects' of business continuity planning and, reconfiguring the training for planners, logisticians and procurement personnel."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Berg, Benjamin D.
2008-12
