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Reality of the Homeland Security Enterprise Information Sharing Environment
From the thesis abstract: "Responding to recommendations from the 9/11 Commission, Congress created the Information Sharing Environment (ISE) with the passage of the 2004 Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act. Linked to the creation of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and championed by that office's program manager for the ISE, the ISE has contributed to national intelligence reform by attempting to improve information sharing across the federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal domains. Given the rise in domestic terrorist attacks and the progress of intelligence reform over the last 16 years, this thesis explores an analysis of the ISE's effectiveness and an examination of alternative means of information sharing to address the remaining information-sharing challenges brought to light in attacks carried out between 2014 and 2017. Alternative information-sharing techniques have been used by our nation's special operations forces and by our largest police force, the New York Police Department. The best practices of organizations such as these may be leveraged by the ISE to further future intelligencesharing reform."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Brown, Michael E.
2017-12
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Crisis Leadership and Complex Crises: A Search for Competencies
From the thesis abstract: "A vast amount of research examines leadership within a single organization, in a routine setting. Less research exists regarding leaders in multi-agency, chaotic, uncertain, and complex environments. To reduce the existing research gap in the study of leadership competencies, this study focused on leaders' actions and decisions during complex crises involving a multi-agency response. This thesis applied the meta-leadership framework to law enforcement leaders' actions during three contemporary homeland security crises. While this study found the meta-leadership model to be useful, the model failed to stress the importance of key elements that significantly affect leadership during crises, such as experience, technical skills, and training, as well as additional competencies discovered within the case studies. Thus, in lieu of developing a specific crisis leadership model, I recommend that agencies endeavor to understand the common crisis leadership competencies and strive to train and develop experienced crisis leaders. Agencies that lack practiced crisis leaders should consider having experienced crisis advisors available during such events."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Saltz, Michael E.
2017-12
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Mitigating Insider Threats in the Domestic Aviation System: Policy Options for the Transportation Security Administration
From the thesis abstract: "The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) defines insider threat as the risk posed by workers with inside access and knowledge to exploit vulnerabilities in the nation's transportation systems. In recent years, insiders have been leveraged by criminal and terrorist organizations to further nefarious plots in the aviation system. This thesis examines policy options for TSA to mitigate insider threats in the domestic aviation system and discusses the effectiveness of TSA's insider threat programs. This thesis also explores whether TSA can be more effective at insider threat prevention with additional intelligence collection authorities. The insider threat programs of the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United Kingdom's MI5, and federal defense contractor Lockheed Martin are analyzed to identify alternative solutions. At their core, insider threat policies center around three primary areas: security programs, counterintelligence programs, and organizational culture. TSA should establish its own counterintelligence program while continuing to fine-tune its security programs. Integrating counterintelligence and security programs enhances an organization's ability to detect and prevent insider threats. Finally, taking additional steps to establish a strong security ethos within the airport environment will help further 'harden the target.'"
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Bean, Brian S.
2017-12
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Border Patrol, Social Media, and Transnational Messaging
From the thesis abstract: "Since the U.S. Border Patrol was established in 1924, agents have been an integral part of the community and have worked to educate the public on the Border Patrol mission and how they can support it. Outreach campaigns began with such programs as D.A.R.E. [Drug Abuse Resistance Education], Red Ribbon Week, and No Mas Cruces. The campaigns were conducted via schools and traditional media such as radio, television, and print. In 2003, Border Patrol's Public Affairs Office was absorbed into the newly created Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency. While Border Patrol conducts public affairs, the messaging is controlled by CBP. The prevalence of social media has provided an inexpensive, high-capacity way for Border Patrol to conduct community engagement. However, CBP retains the authority to approve social media use in an official capacity and only allows Border Patrol to use social media under the CBP umbrella. This thesis argues that Border Patrol should be allowed to use Border Patrol-specific social media accounts for community engagement and to educate the public on the Border Patrol mission. Furthermore, engagement should occur with Canadian and Mexican citizens in their native languages when possible and applicable."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Christie, Kathleen Ann
2017-12
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Marijuana, the Straight Dope: Guidance for Federal Policy Reform
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis explores the increasingly popular push by states to decriminalize and legalize marijuana and the resulting problems that raise concern about maintaining the current federal marijuana policy. This thesis conducts an analysis of various policy options to resolve conflicts that arise between recently enacted state legislation and federal criminal statutes, U.S. compliance with international treaties, and public safety. Utilizing Bardach's eight-step method, this thesis compares three possibilities for policy recommendation. The first option is to maintain the status quo, or to continue a policy of relaxed federal enforcement. The second option is one of strict enforcement, essentially rolling back marijuana laws in the states and mandating compliance with current federal law. The third option is one of balancing the desires of the states while ensuring treaty compliance and public safety by rescheduling marijuana. The research shows that a rescheduling of marijuana, from Schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act to Schedule III, would protect marijuana's access to those with a medical necessity while ensuring compliance with international counter-narcotics accords and enable the drug's availability for research purposes."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Baker, Erik D.
2017-12
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Millennials in the Fire Service: The Effectiveness of Fire Service Recruiting, Testing, and Retention
From the thesis abstract: "Modern-day fire service methods' ability to effectively attract and retain millennials is in question. Stale marketing and static testing processes may be contributing to smaller hiring pools and the inability to reach recruits with the skillsets needed to replace experienced firefighters lost through attrition. Millennials are looking for employment in organizations that complement four-year college degrees and offer immediate inclusion and growth. These traits may be misaligned with the fire service business model. Through a customized survey, this thesis gathered data needed to explore the challenges plaguing fire service attraction and retention. The research concluded: 1) the fire service is not attracting the number and quality of applicants that it once did, 2) the generational traits of millennials do not fully align with the business model of the modern fire service, and 3) parents direct their children toward the college education many of them did not have themselves. These issues are preventing the fire service from replenishing the profession with the quality and quantity of talent needed to ensure continuity of response at the local level"
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Neal, Scott F.
2017-12
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Indications and Warning Methodology for Strategic Intelligence
From the thesis abstract: "Today's U.S. intelligence community lacks the human-centric focus needed to develop a forwardlooking intelligence estimate. Using a comparative research model, this thesis explored how gray zone indicators used by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command translate into modern indicators for the intelligence community, and sought similar applications for the homeland security enterprise. The research found that, for homeland security, implementing a human-centric indications and warning methodology that focuses on the actor as the key security challenge can help provide advance warning for a planned attack or can indicate a bad actor who is inspiring others to take action."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Kimmelman, Susann
2017-12
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Dashboards for the Fire Service
From the thesis abstract: "The purpose of this thesis is to examine how fire service agencies can best apply the principles of Business Intelligence (BI) toward constructing dashboards to improve agency performance. To accomplish this project, action research principles were applied to construct a first-generation model of such a dashboard. The model dashboard(s) constructed contains program measures and information that fire agency supervisors at different levels may use to improve subordinate performance and to support decision-making. It does appear possible for fire departments to apply modern BI principles toward improving fire department performance. Since the dashboard developed only represents the first generation of this process, it is recommended that further research focus on how to improve such dashboards through iteration and to examine the effects of such dashboards on agency performance to see if they are truly useful."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Butsch, Alan L.
2017-12
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Career Paramedic-Firefighter Staffing Problems: Is Recruiting Women Part of the Solution?
From the thesis abstract: "Fire departments are the largest employer of emergency medical services workers, but many face a shortage of paramedic-firefighter applicants. These applicants typically work as single-role paramedics, an occupation facing an even greater shortage. Although women are almost 47 percent of the general labor force, few apply to be paramedic-firefighters, suggesting an untapped labor pool that could resolve some of the shortage. This thesis explores whether fire departments can mitigate the shortage of paramedic-firefighter applicants by examining the issues that prevent people from applying and by recruiting more women. In a comparative analysis of four departments that employ an above-average percentage of females, the research found that: 1) low ambulance-bill reimbursements restrict paramedic wages, and thus paramedic supply; 2) economic and other challenges that limit the supply of paramedics are increasing; 3) fire departments appear not to be aware of, or have implemented, published recruiting recommendations; and 4) strong staffing performance requires consistent human resources proficiency. This research recommends that fire departments address issues that appear to deter potential applicants, especially women. Doing this can mitigate staffing shortages and foster community trust."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Byron, Juan
2018-12
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Rethinking Intelligence to Integrate Counterterrorism into the Local Law Enforcement Mission
"Law enforcement agencies are constantly challenged by a changing threat environment, and they attempt to meet the challenges with the resources they have. In the past twenty years, terrorism is a dangerous threat to America while community expectations to address crime have also grown. Americans rely on local, state, and federal law enforcement to understand this threat and to incorporate counter terrorism efforts into their already full missions. In looking for the best ways to understand and combat the threat of terrorism, intelligence-led policing (ILP) has been offered as an effective strategy to improve police effectiveness. This thesis studies the ILP practices of two police departments-Metro Nashville and Chicago-and analyzes those elements of their strategies that contribute to successful ILP. This analysis validates the elements of the 3i model of effective ILP operations, and emphasizes several other elements as critical strategic elements necessary for an agency to develop and implement a successful ILP strategy. ILP is an effective policing strategy and the critical strategic elements identified in this thesis should serve as the foundation of efforts to build capacity in an agency. This thesis furthers these critical elements and presents a framework for agencies to implement ILP."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Ball, John E.
2007-03
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Chemical Industry Security: Voluntary or Mandatory Approach?
"A successful attack on a hazardous materials storage facility has the potential to cause mass casualties and panic. Although the risk and consequences vary greatly among these sites, there are a significant number of facilities with tens of thousands of individuals who live and work in the vulnerability zone. Until P.L. 109-125 was enacted on October 4, 2006, which required the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue regulations establishing riskbased performance standards, the Federal government policy for securing chemical facilities from terrorist attack relied entirely upon voluntary actions by industry. Though it is sure to create controversy, this thesis proposes the need for new legislation that mandates standards for chemical industry security yet also addresses the economic and implementation impacts. DHS, in close partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is best suited to undertake this responsibility. In addition, State delegation of oversight responsibility is necessary to address the resources required to handle such a large number of sites. Public participation in preparedness and response activities is vital to reduce the fear and anxiety inherent to acts of terrorism. Inherently Safer Technology evaluations are recommended for the chemical sector through regulatory amendments to the Clean Air Act Section 112."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Baldauf, Paul D.
2007-03
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Requirements and Information Metadata System
"This thesis proposes an adoption of a data schema called RIMS (Requirements and Information Metadata System) developed as a pilot project in the Pittsburgh Field Office of the FBI and sets out to determine if RIMS could be an effective and efficient method to capture, catalogue and retrieve intelligence information within the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). RIMS would enhance the search platform used by FBI analysts and investigators who gather or data mine existing information in furtherance of the FBI's priorities. The use of this coding system can be adapted for use by other U.S. intelligence and law enforcement communities for commonality and uniformity in retrieval, cataloguing, and collecting of intelligence information. The use of this system can be manipulated into a non-classified code for use by state, local, and tribal law enforcement and intelligence entities. Finally, the use of the coding system within the intelligence community will consolidate and integrate information and intelligence and reduce delays in detecting and retrieving pertinent intelligence obtained and shared within the intelligence community."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Beckman, Erin M.
2007-03
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Transforming Leadership in the FBI: A Recommendation for Strategic Change
From the thesis abstract: "The FBI has entered a critical point in its history. The new normalcy of the post-9/11 world has created seemingly insurmountable challenges that highlight the need to further examine the FBI's policies, practices, and procedures used to identify, select, professionally develop, evaluate and place leaders in its Special Agent ranks. The FBI must identify its most capable leaders, set conditions for their success, and systematically place them in positions that will maximize their impact on the future of the organization. This research examines drivers and impediments that have led to the current methodologies used by the FBI to select and place its Special Agent leaders. It also reviews the current mechanisms for training and developing FBI Special Agent mid-level and executive managers and explores an alternative strategy to identify, select, professionally develop, evaluate and place ensuing generations of FBI Special Agent leaders. Finally, this research recommends specific courses of action and a new strategic framework, moving from a system of individual career management to a system of organizational career development or a leadership pipeline, to transform the FBI's Special Agent leaders into standard setters within the larger intelligence and law enforcement communities they serve."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Schwein, Richard D., Jr.
2007-03
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Dysfunctional Not By Design
"Critical to the success of the homeland security mission is a robust Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). During a speech made while signing the Homeland Security Appropriations Act for 2006, President George W. Bush stressed that in order to defend the United States from terrorists and criminals, the borders and interior of the country must be secured and immigration laws enforced. Unique to the authority found in ICE is the responsibility to carry out this mission. ICE can only accomplish this mission as an integrated and focused agency. However, evidence exists that ICE, which was created by the merger of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Customs Service, has not integrated legacy workforces to produce an efficient and unified organization. The evidence suggests that a failed merger plan has left ICE with a segregated workforce that is dysfunctional in executing an enforcement strategy utilizing the blended workforce. This thesis examines and assesses the result of the merger and seeks to identify the causes of inefficiency in the current organization. The thesis recommends a course of action that will mitigate the issues present and help ICE to become an efficient and focused agency."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Wrona, Philip
2007-03
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Integrating Local Public Health Agencies into the Homeland Security Community
"After more than seven years of funding through The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local public health agencies have made inconsistent progress in fulfilling their Homeland Security objectives. Most progress has been made in those areas in which Public Health has previous experience. However, in those activities requiring integration with other responder agencies Public Health has lagged in developing effective capabilities in prevention, preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery. This thesis argues that several factors contribute to this lack of success, including funding structures and guidelines, the reluctance on the part of other responder agencies to include Public Health in emergency planning and response activities, and the organizational isolation in which Public Health has existed. In order for local public health agencies to meet their Homeland Security objectives, funding structures and guidelines must support local Public Health and public health agencies must be better integrated with their Homeland Security partners. Public health agencies at all levels and their leadership have the opportunity to effect organizational changes designed to accelerate the transformational process, enhancing their Homeland Security partnerships. Public Health agencies can be more effectively integrate into the larger Homeland Security community by demonstrating commitment to making these changes."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Reed, Patricia Diane
2007-03
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Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers' Ability and Willingness to Report to Work for the Department of Health During Catastrophic Disasters
""Local public health systems must have the capacity to meet the surge requirements of a health emergency that requires an extraordinary increase in activity including the rapid prophylaxis of an effected community. According to recent studies of paid healthcare professionals, approximately forty percent may be unable or unwilling to report to work during catastrophic disasters, but these questions have not yet been asked in the volunteer community. The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a group of medical volunteers with a primary mission of support to the public health system during periods of surge. This thesis surveyed the members of a county health department MRC to determine their ability and willingness to volunteer in a public health emergency. The survey also elicited information on barriers and enablers to response and perceptions of community preparedness. Both significant differences in the responses of paid versus volunteer health professionals regarding their ability and willingness and striking similarities in their responses regarding barriers and enablers to report to work were identified. Volunteer motivation, cognitive dissonance and the nature of self selected volunteers are examined as they relate to these findings and strategies to strengthen the ability and willingness of MRC units to respond with the public health system are suggested."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Schechter, Shelly
2007-03
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Strategies for the Integration of Medical and Health Representation within Law Enforcement Intelligence Fusion Centers
From the thesis abstract: "Terrorism-related intelligence gathering, analysis and information dissemination would be improved and enhanced by including a medical and health element in law enforcement intelligence fusion centers. The lack of medical representation and participation in intelligence analysis and information dissemination has been an obstacle to effective terrorism prevention, preparedness and response. Terrorist acts, including weapons of mass destruction, would have a significant and profound impact on the medical and health community. The medical and health community should work more closely with the intelligence community and be privy to terrorism-related information and alerts. The three areas of implementation to be examined include the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, state level fusion centers and local (city, county, regional) terrorism early-warning groups. The Terrorism Liaison Officer Program will be examined as an option for medical personnel to become involved in anti-terrorism efforts. Literature on the subject shows overwhelming support for the involvement of non-law enforcement public safety representation, including the medical and health communities, in intelligence fusion centers."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Morrissey, James F.
2007-03
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Measuring the Foundation of Homeland Security
"This thesis provides a self-assessment tool to compel discussion concerning Homeland Security teamwork. Building on the research of others who have focused on collaboration and teamwork as essential for Homeland Security, it is proclaimed that teamwork is the foundation on which Homeland Security capabilities must be built. The purpose of this thesis is to define the components of teamwork amongst the local multidiscipline organizations with a common Homeland Security mission, provide statements for each of the components, and then enter the components into a metric that can be useful in measuring teamwork. The results of the research yielded five components of teamwork and that leadership is the key to implementation. Focus groups of local Homeland Security professionals were used to authenticate the research findings. Three statements were developed from the research and focus groups to measure each of the five components of teamwork. A focus group from Seattle Homeland Security reviewed and revised the final teamwork metric to assure its usefulness for Homeland Security organizations. It is recommended that standard methodologies be used to establish actual validity and reliability of the teamwork metric. Finally, a discussion on the interrelation between teamwork, organizational change and leadership is provided."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Matthew, David A.
2007-03
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Partnerships: The Path to Improving Crisis Communication
From the thesis abstract: "The global availability of 24-hour broadcast news establishes the media as a critical link to communicating with the public in times of crisis. As a result, the broadcast news media play a significant role in shaping how the public reacts in a crisis. Since fire and police departments will likely be the media's primary source for information in the initial stages of a disaster, preventing the loss of lives depends on how quickly information is delivered to the public. However, positive working relationships between public safety and the media are often hampered by differences in police and fire culture, distrust and the lack of a clear understanding of each other's roles and responsibilities. The safety messages delivered by public safety officials and the media in an emergency have the power to influence the way the public behaves and the protective actions they take. This report examines how forming nontraditional partnerships between public safety agencies and the media can be used effectively to give direction to the public before, during and after a crisis. This report proposes a set of recommendations to help public safety agencies avoid costly communication mistakes through best practices and lessons learned from recent high profile incidents."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Fitzpatrick, Helen M.
2007-03
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Bridging the Gap in Port Security; Network Centric Theory Applied to Public/Private Collaboration
"The application of Network Centric Warfare theory enables all port stakeholders to better prepare for a disaster through increased information sharing and collaboration. Currently, a significant gap in connectivity exists among the many entities responsible for securing the intermodal supply chain throughout the port complex. The research conducted in this thesis creates an architecture using the theory of Network Centric Warfare to perpetuate a cycle of preparedness in a seaport, thus enhancing situational awareness for improved security. As a result of the research conducted in this thesis, the architecture is being applied in the Port of Los Angeles/ Long Beach in the form of a public/private 'virtual maritime fusion center' to fill the gap between stakeholders thus improving overall maritime domain awareness."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Wright, Candice L.
2007-03
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Capacity Building and Sustainment: Focusing on the End-State for Homeland Security
"Since 9/11, the U.S. has developed policies to counter the terrorist threat. Integral to those policies is preparedness. Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8 states that preparedness will include, "capacity building prevention activities such as information gathering, detection, deterrence, and collaboration related to terrorist attacks." Despite the criticality of capacity building in relation to preparedness, the term is not defined. There has been no discussion on what capacity building means. The term is often equated to federal assistance or used interchangeably with capabilities and capability based planning. Capacity building strategies, however, are distinct and link into wider economic, political, and societal issues. Despite capacity building's criticality to preparedness and sustainment, various or ambiguous interpretations will translate to differences in strategic priorities. This thesis will examine the existing strategies to determine the linkage between capacity building, preparedness, sustainment, capability, capability based planning, and the envisioned end-state. It will also address sustainment issues and homeland security costs based on differing capacity building interpretations. The end product is a capacity building definition that captures the costs and variables with building and sustaining capabilities. This thesis will also demonstrate how capacity building measures serve as the foundational premise for a sound homeland security strategic plan."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Burch, James A.
2007-03
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Citizen Preparedness Campaign: Information Campaigns Increasing Citizen Preparedness to Support Creating a 'Culture of Preparedness'
From the thesis abstract: "Citizen preparedness has been a requirement since the events of September 11, 2001 and was reinforced as a necessity after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in August 2005. Although National Strategy documents outline the requirement for citizen participation in national preparedness the requirement is through volunteerism using the Citizen Corps. There are currently readiness programs being conducted through the Citizen Corps, Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency but they are not coordinated across the federal state and local or proactive in nature. Proactive Information Campaigns using core and supporting elements can be one methodology to increase citizen preparedness to support the creation of a ‘Culture of Preparedness', which includes citizen participation along with the all levels of government and the private sector. Homeland Security stakeholders can use the Information Campaign Model developed to formulate proactive information campaigns to increase citizen preparedness."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Bloom, Paula
2007-03
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Creating a Coordinated Game Plan: Improving Teamwork between Law Enforcement and the California National Guard
"The author of this thesis contends that the legislative mandate for National Incident Management System compliance has created an efficient and expeditious relationship between civil authorities and military resources, however a lack of information regarding each other's roles and capabilities, coupled with differences in culture, communications, logistics, and command and control structures has resulted in sub-par interaction in actual responses and exercises since the attacks of September 11, 2001. Emergency responders at the local and state level have frequent interaction, but clear protocols, guidelines and exercises are required to create the same level of teamwork with military assets. Because of the variety of controlling legislation and political priority governing each state's National Guard, this thesis offers recommendations for improving the interaction between California local authorities, the California National Guard, and the United States Northern Command."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Brooks, Robert E.
2007-03
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Applying Goldwater-Nichols Reforms to Foster Interagency Cooperation Between Public Safety Agencies in New York City
"Interagency conflict between police and fire departments throughout the country has existed for many years and is generally attributable to competition for limited municipal dollars and overlapping areas of responsibility. New York City (NYC) is frequently cited as the most egregious example of this rivalry. The relationship between NYC's emergency response agencies, and the lack of integrated strategic planning which results, has many parallels to the situation that existed within the DoD from the years after WW II until the passage the Goldwater-Nichols Act in 1986. That act is widely credited with changing the culture of the DoD from one of service parochialism to one of jointness and allowing the military to seamlessly coordinate and integrate its war-fighting activities across service lines. This thesis recommends that NYC adapt several provisions of the Goldwater-Nichols Act to change the underlying attitudes and cultures of its first responder agencies. By encouraging its personnel to focus their planning, training, and operational activities on what benefits the City as a whole, as opposed to the individual agency to which they belong, the City will profit from the improved coordination, communication, and cooperation necessary to effectively prepare for and respond to emergencies of any magnitude."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
McGeary, Joseph P.
2007-03
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Involving Corporations in Dispensing During Mass Prophylaxis
"The purpose of the mass prophylaxis following a bioterrorist attack is to reduce fear within the community and to reduce loss of life to the disease. Current U.S. government guidance provided by the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for response to an anthrax attack states that the optimal amount of time for distribution of prophylaxis to the community is two days. Yet, how can the public health agencies of a state dispense antibiotics to everyone in a large metropolitan area within forty-eight hours of potential exposure? A key challenge to a successful mass prophylaxis campaign is staffing the functions required to receive, stage, transport, deliver, and dispense antibiotics. Is there value in developing relationships with large corporations within the metropolitan area to support their active involvement as reliable, effective, and efficient volunteer entities for dispensing pharmaceuticals following a terrorist incident or natural disaster? This thesis evaluates the novel approach of inviting corporations to act as volunteer entities in and of themselves (rather than merely offering their facilities for use to support a government activity) as well as more traditional options such as utilizing the current public health force (supported by traditional volunteer recruitment) and using the United States Postal Service to directly deliver medication to households. A fourth option, combining the first three options to meet the requirements of timely delivery, security, medical personnel support, nonmedical personnel support, and client information collection is also considered. Any strategic option for distributing prophylaxis should address the following fundamental questions: Does the option encourage community ownership of the problem?; Does the option provide for better response time to the problem?; Does the option increase the number of people who can be served within a given timeframe?; Does the option increase the availability of medical care providers to support screening and dispensing?; Does the option reduce security personnel requirements?; Does the option support gathering needed information about the people who receive the medication?; Does the option provide redress for clients in the event of an adverse medication side effect?; Does the option require new legislation or changes to existing legislation?; Does the option increase the availability of nonmedical support personnel for dispensing activities? The thesis compares the four primary strategic options based on how well they address each of these fundamental questions. This thesis provides informed consideration of policy options for community leaders who are addressing the need to rapidly dispense medications, based on combining public and private resources to meet the needs of the community."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Smith, Chester Lee, Jr.
2007-03
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Securing Nuclear and Radiological Material in the Homeland
From the thesis abstract: "It is well established among the intelligence community that terrorists view the acquisition of nuclear or radiological materials (NRAM) as a goal in furtherance of their efforts to attack the U.S. within its borders. The use of NRAM in a nuclear weapon of mass destruction (WMD) or a radiological dispersion device (RDD) could potentially kill and injure thousands of American citizens. The economic impact of such a terrorist act on U.S. soil could cause profound economic damage, and would terrify the nation. While international efforts have been underway for many years to better secure military nuclear weapons and materials, this research finds that a comprehensive national security strategy in the U.S. for commercial nuclear materials is needed. While some strides were made in 2005 through measures taken by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to better secure nuclear generating power facilities, there is no similar comprehensive security strategy for NRAM stored or being transported in the U.S. This poses a potentially serious threat to our homeland security. This research reviews the present statutory and regulatory scheme for NRAM, and outlines a dramatic new approach that will better ensure our homeland security."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Eack, Kevin D.
2007-03
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Building Collaborative Capacity for Biosecurity at the Georgia Seaports
From the thesis abstract: "When public health interventions are incorporated into a comprehensive seaport security strategy, they can effectively prevent and reduce morbidity and mortality, resulting from natural or man-made disasters. The challenge is to build collaborative capacities through new and renewed seaport surveillance activities among government agencies and private companies to strengthen the role of public health to detect, intercept, and mitigate the potential effects of the intentional or unintentional introduction of diseases. Currently, effective collaborative processes between public health agencies and other local, state and federal partners in seaport security are weak and primarily the result of informal activities. Although seaport security receives considerable policy attention in other areas of risk management, such as radiological detection, public health investments are relatively neglected. Effective, sustainable approaches to building interagency collaboration could prove to be an indispensable homeland security initiative to prepare for a bioterrorism attack or other infectious disease incidents."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Neu, Annette L.
2007-03
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Terrorism Information Management within the New York City Fire Department: Past, Present and Future
"The New York City Fire Department, like the entire fire service, has been proven to be a primary stakeholder in Homeland Security. The mindset of firefighters is influenced by traditional and expected roles that are not fully considerate of the challenges accompanying the 'new enemy' of terrorism. A fundamental deficiency is herein identified as the manner in which information is managed. The FDNY must adapt so as to recognize information as an entity that must be collected, saved and utilized holistically for greater preventative and response capabilities. It must adopt lessons learned by others in the pursuit of better information management. These needs also exist, to a great extent, within the national fire service. This thesis will use a detailed analysis of existing FDNY information systems, a review of the criticality of information to past events, and the perspectives of FDNY firefighters to identify common denominators of deficiency. It will examine the manner in which others have confronted the issue of information management with an eye toward extracting salient lessons. The operational and psychological ramifications of poor information management will be explored. Finally, concepts that hold promise for the underpinning of practical solutions to the information management problem are presented."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Flynn, John P.
2007-03
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Development and Recognition of Homeland Security Law
"The thesis considers those laws created since 9/11 in direct response to that terrorist attack and intended to protect the American Homeland from further attack. Just as Congress passed thousands of pages of legislation in response to the events of 9/11, the Department of Homeland Security, created by one of those new laws, is churning out thousands of pages of federal regulations, and thousands of federal workers now seek to regulate and impose new legal standards, on U.S. citizens and businesses. After analyzing the congressional responses to 9/11, a survey was created and sent to those attorneys who hold themselves out as practicing or teaching 'Homeland Security Law.' The intent was to determine whether the legal profession should now recognize Homeland Security Law as a separate practice area, and if not, what steps are necessary before a practice area is recognized. A substantial majority in each survey, and in the interviews, found that anti-terrorism laws, emergency management and critical infrastructure resiliency and protection are included within the area of 'Homeland Security Law.' A working definition of Homeland Security Law then, is 'those laws and regulations enacted or promulgated to ensure domestic security from man made or natural attack or disaster'."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
McDaniel, Michael C.
2007-03
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Government Expectations and the Role of Law Enforcement in a Biological Incident
From the thesis abstract: "Currently government and public health are drafting emergency response plans regarding biological events (man-made & natural) that include responsibilities for law enforcement. Yet, police officers are unaccustomed to working with biological agents or responding to biological incidents, and have little if any experience in this area. Therefore, their expectations and concerns are unknown and their willingness to respond is untested. Through the use of focus groups, officers were asked questions about their thoughts and concerns regarding responding to a bioincident. The focus groups consisted of over forty police officers, from more than five different agencies in the National Capitol Region. The results of the research demonstrate that most police officers are willing to respond to a biological incident; however, they expect that their families will be properly cared for by their agency, which presents a problem if there is no vaccine available. Other areas that were explored were the officers' expectations of the public and of their respective agencies in a bio-incident. The research concludes with recommendations regarding ways to prepare the public to have realistic expectations of law enforcement, the need to create a Family Support Unit within each agency, as well as other recommendations."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Demme, Nancy
2007-03
