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Community Hazard Vulnerability Assessments: How Technology Can Assist in Comprehension
From the thesis abstract: "The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 mandates that all levels of government identify, classify and develop plans for the mitigation of the hazards to which they are exposed, be they natural or man-made. In addition to the legal requirement, communities need to complete a hazard vulnerability assessment to help them determine priorities in deciding how much of a given resource should be aimed at solving a given problem. No communities have unlimited resources; as such, it is imperative that resource allocators, be they emergency managers or elected officials, fully understand the depth and breadth of the multitude of hazards their communities face. Understanding how humans process information and then using technology to assist in the comprehension of that information can only enhance a community's emergency management cycle of planning, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Waters, John R.
2013-09
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U.S. Counterterrorism Narrative: A Way Forward
From the Thesis Abstract: "While there seems to be widespread agreement that the U.S. counterterrorism narrative is failing, there is little empirical evidence for what the U.S. counter-narrative strategy since 9/11 has been, nor is there an analytical framework for measuring its success or failure. This thesis investigates the effectiveness of the U.S. counterterrorism narrative strategy in the post-9/11 period (2001 through 2016), and develops an effective U.S. counterterrorism narrative strategy. Content analysis of 75 U.S. presidential speeches and 50 U.S. Department of State Twitter postings, and a measurement of U.S. performative power between 2001 and 2016, demonstrates that only the narrative speech factor of promoting commonality has a negative correlation with terrorist attacks in the United States. More messages that promote commonality correlates to decreased terrorist attacks. To understand when to use this messaging, the social identity analytical method was applied to a U.S. presidential speech and an Islamic State leader's speech and demonstrates that the U.S. government lacks comprehension of social in-group identification nuances. To target messaging effectively, the framework should be applied on a consistent basis, promoting commonality in narratives within a larger comprehensive counterterrorism strategy."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Kristoff, Madeline T.
2019-03
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National Strategy Is Needed to Prevent the Coming Water War: The Mississippi River Watershed Shows Us Why
From the thesis abstract: "The Mississippi River watershed is currently managed as six separate basins including the Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Arkansas, and Upper and Lower Mississippi Rivers. This research pulls together several system components-- navigation, flood control, environmental, municipal and industrial uses, and geopolitical concerns--and proposes treating the entire watershed as a system. The current problem is that actions taken in one basin often have consequences in another. This results in inefficient oversight, environmental harm, and adds to the cost of watershed management. These problems stem from the lack of a national water strategy. This thesis proposes a national water strategy and the formation of a regional planning body (RPB), with the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan as a guide, to coordinate watershed planning. The watershed RPB would also coordinate inter-basin activities with the Great Lakes and Gulf of Mexico RPB's. Implementing the recommendations presented in this thesis is made difficult by the complexity of the watershed's ecosystem, the interconnectedness of the system components, the current legal framework for water rights, the myriad congressional oversight committees, numerous non-government organizations, and the many state, tribal, and local jurisdictions with a stake in the outcome."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Wendt, Timothy J.
2014-03
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Economies of Scale: 9-1-1 Center Consolidation as a Means to Strengthen the Homeland Security Enterprise
From the thesis abstract: "Since the Great Recession, local governments have been under pressure to cut programs, personnel, and services due to decreased tax revenues and a weak economic recovery. As a result, government agencies, aiming to do more with less, have consolidated services, including those of local 9-1-1 dispatch centers. This thesis explores whether 9-1-1 center consolidation has been successful thus far. Through a multiple case-study approach, the effects of consolidation upon cost efficiency, service levels, and organizational structure are examined. Primary data were gathered from semi-structured interviews with executives of three consolidated 9-1-1 centers. Secondary data were obtained from related budget documents, published reports, emergency call and response statistics, staffing rosters, organizational charts, and intergovernmental agreements. This mixture of qualitative and quantitative data was analyzed to identify individual first-order concepts, generalized into patterns, and synthesized into overarching dimensions. The key findings suggest that (1) the consolidation of 9-1-1 centers can result in increased cost efficiency through economies of scale; (2) regionally, 9-1-1 center consolidation may standardize and raise the quality of service provided across disciplines and jurisdictions; and (3) in the near-term, organizational behavior issues present challenges for the newly consolidated 9-1-1 center."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Womack, Trevor W., Sr.
2014-03
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What is the Problem to Which the Answer Was Public Law 83-280: How is it Working Out and What Should We Do Next?
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis explores the stakeholders' positions in relation to the implementation of Public Law 83-280 (PL 280). PL 280 mandated that states assume jurisdiction on reservation land. The thesis investigates how the uniqueness of this law has caused multi-dimensional problems including; collaborations/partnerships, familiarity with the law, compliance with the law, law enforcement effectiveness and/or impacts, cultural competence, and training/education. The main claim for this thesis is that PL 280 was written as an unfunded mandate without the consent or input from the Tribes and was enacted without clear guidance for implementation. The thesis investigates whether creation of a best practice model would create a collaborative relationship among Tribes and public safety agencies, communication among multiple disciplines, unified leadership and command on an incident, and improvement for all public safety planning. The research identifies what the existing relationships are, what is lacking at an operational level, what training is available, what the challenges have been, and what the next steps should be in order to improve the process of this law. "
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Muhr, Margaret
2013-09
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Policy Options Analysis of Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
From the thesis abstract: "The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) is a direct federal grant program, administered by the Department of Homeland Security, for fire and emergency medical services to support firefighter safety and protect the public from fires and other hazards. Homeland security depends upon local fire services to be the first responders to all incidents. The AFG has experienced strong support largely due to the direct involvement of fire services in the grant process. The funding level, however, has been insufficient to address the unmet needs of fire services across the nation. The policy options analysis reviews four options for grant fund distribution, including the current approach, to maximize the contribution of fire services to homeland security goals. The analysis reviews the options based on the factors of improving baseline capability, building catastrophic incident capability, increasing regional capabilities and retaining local support for the AFG. The current approach to grant distribution was determined to provide the strongest contribution due to its broad eligibility of activities that encourage regional cooperation and enable fire services of diverse size and locations to have their applications reviewed on the merit of their identified need to support homeland security."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Loper, Sharon L.
2014-03
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Fighting Tomorrow's Fire Today: Leveraging Intelligence for Scenario-Based Exercise Design
From the thesis abstract: "There is a great opportunity for collaborative learning when agencies conduct emergency preparedness exercises together. If different members of the community contribute to the development of these exercises, then this learning benefits the entire population. As it stands, preparedness exercises are being conducted with minimal regard to recommendations from previous exercises and real-world events. Along with the incorporation of intelligence into these exercises, the objectives should promote a more inclusive design process based on focused relevance, encouraging agencies to view themselves more as members of the greater community rather than individual entities. Terrorist organizations learn from past failures as well as successes, and emergency responders should strive to parallel this learning in order to develop tactical improvements. Emergency responders need to promote the idea of intelligence-driven exercise design in order to support community resilience through collaborative training. Municipalities should spearhead this effort, supported financially by the private sector. With this fusion of intelligence and collaborative exercise design, we can learn from the fires of yesterday and prepare for the emergencies of tomorrow." A 6-min, 9-second video interview on this thesis is also available at the following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=752925]
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Healy, Thomas F.
2014-03
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U.S. Declining Global Rankings in Math and Science and the Impact on Our National Security: Policy Options to Elicit Another Sputnik Moment
From the thesis abstract: "Since the end of the space race in the 1960s, America has been experiencing a decline in its global educational rankings in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curricula. Due to the interdependencies that education has with a number of our critical sectors, the declining global educational rankings can have serious effects on our national economy, technological advantage and ultimately our national security. With countries like China undertaking intensive civilian educational campaigns, completely modernizing its military, and developing extensive electronic and information warfare capabilities, our technological advantage will be critical to ensure our preparedness for these emerging threats. The inability of society to see this decline and the inability, or lack of desire of our students, to compete and excel globally in the STEM curricula is a 'collective failure.' This thesis examines a number of educational policies and programs and evaluates their focus on developing students' social learning environment and social responsibility toward learning. From this review, this research has synthesized a number of recommendations for policymakers to consider in order to help America realize a national imperative toward learning and to support America in experiencing another 'Sputnik moment.'"
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Sund, Steven A.
2014-03
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Enhanced Resilience Through Expanded Community Preparedness in the United States: Application of Israeli Models
From the thesis abstract: "A new approach engaging citizens in preparedness and resilience in the United States is needed to increase community preparedness. Examination of Israel's proven model of community preparedness has shown that applying, adapting, and utilizing some of these components will greatly enhance U.S. resilience. The U.S. government's role is to design and resource flexible programs communities can tailor to address specific threats, needs, and strengths unique to their citizens and society. The United States and Israel have notable differences including land mass, population, frequency, and intensity of threats; national versus federal democratic governance, cultural and religious homogeneity; as well as levels of public trust in government. This thesis found the contextual differences are not insurmountable policy challenges for utilizing best practices from Israeli community preparedness models and applying them to the United States. Many Israeli practices parallel those of the United States, particularly the utilization of volunteers in disaster preparedness and response. Israel's history of threats and the resultant citizen engagement model has made Israel the leader in utilizing civilians as a force structure component for community preparedness and national resilience. Since portions of Israel's model have demonstrated success, and are applicable, these practices should be implemented to increase U.S. community preparedness and resilience."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Hoffman, Sydney S.
2014-03
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Preparing for the Mumbai-Style Attack: Interstate Law Enforcement Mutual Aid in the Absence of a Declared Emergency
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis examined whether there is sufficient authority for interstate law enforcement mutual aid to respond to a Mumbai-style attack occurring in the United States. Several existing interstate mutual aid systems were examined to determine if they could be enacted on short notice and provide adequate authority and protections for the responding officers in a no-notice event. This thesis found that the existing systems for natural disasters and planned events were slow to implement and would not provide the authority and protections required for response to a no-notice event. Our conclusion is that the law enforcement community should create a new national compact that will facilitate the quick response of law enforcement across state lines when required for a notice or no-notice event."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Balint, Thomas J., Jr.
2014-03
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CHDS Thesis Series: Effective Selection: A Study of First-Line Supervisor Selection Processes in The Department of Homeland Security [video]
"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."
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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Perfect Storm: Changing National Policies to Reduce Flooding Impacts and Costs
From the thesis abstract: "Flooding matters. As the nation's most common natural hazard, flooding costs this nation economically, disrupts communities and commerce, and renders communities and extrapolated--the nation--less than fully postured for other homeland security threats. It will not get better. Demographics leading to more people living in flood-hazard areas and forecasted increases in precipitation are converging to create the perfect storm. This thesis examines two national policies that can influence the impact and costs of flooding: The National Flood Insurance Program [NFIP] and the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Act. Examination and research reveals that the NFIP has failed to achieve its goals of reducing flood losses and political, economic, and societal factors serve to make reforming the NFIP effectively less than likely. A policy options analysis examines how changes to the Stafford Act might influence a reduction in the impact and costs of flooding where the political, economic, and societal factors at play may lend to favorable implementation consideration. The policy options include changing enforcement and incentive provisions of the Stafford Act along with a proposal to begin a national dialogue on mitigation through the creation of a National Mitigation Collaborative Consortium."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Keefe, Sandra A.
2011-12
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Getting to One from Title 10 + Title 32: Unity of Effort in the Homeland
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis bridges the knowledge gap between Title 10 Active Duty and Title 32 National Guard in order to breakdown cultural barriers and reach unity of effort for response operations in the homeland. Regrettably, a unified response was missing among Title 10 Active Duty and Title 32 National Guard members following Hurricane Katrina. Since then, initiatives based in doctrine, statutes and formal recommendations have been established to address unity of effort, however, a serious knowledge gap remains. Future threats, manmade or natural, will require a unified response to save lives and mitigate suffering. Case studies on the Israeli Home Front Command and the Florida Division of Emergency Management help determine best practices to reach unity of effort between Title 10 Active Duty and Title 32 National Guard. Appreciating the varying perspectives, concerns and competing interests among state and federal stakeholders on command and control of military forces in the homeland is vital to moving forward. Understanding culture and context among Title 10 Active Duty and Title 32 National Guard will facilitate learning and resolve conflict. Progress is underway to reach unity of effort through the Council of Governors on dual-status command and this thesis recommends next steps to enhance efforts."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Prosch, Caroline Ross
2011-09
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Homeland Security Enterprise: Where Do We Fit?
From the thesis abstract: "Homeland security is a responsibility to be shared across the nation. Resource demands, differing cultures, and varying motivations result in frustration and confusion that conflict with the nation's need to collaborate and cooperate. As such, the homeland security enterprise appears to be imploding from turf battles, suspicion, poor communication, competitive funding, and mistrust, which cause stakeholders to wonder where they fit in this complex, interdependent environment. This study examines reports, literature, and studies, along with interviews of homeland security executives from the four levels of government. It is argued and supported by the research that enhancing the nation's ability to collaborate involves a hybrid approach, where operational functions are decentralized and intelligence functions are centralized. The operational component encourages growth from the bottom of the enterprise through a decentralized block-grant process that allows jurisdictions to address their unique demands. The intelligence component recommends comprehensive reform and uses the nation's layered system of government as a portal to provide situational awareness at all levels. Collectively, the study's recommendations create an environment ripe for collaboration, where leaders capitalize on the strengths of interconnectivity and continuously add value so that the synergy of combined efforts positively influences the homeland security enterprise."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Marlowe, Kirk S.
2009-09
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USCG Diversity: Moving Beyond 'Training, Rules, and Regulations'
"The United States Coast Guard (USCG) continues its workforce diversification initiative. Recent congressional statements communicate a lack of progress in this endeavor, and comments from senior Coast Guard leaders link workforce diversification to the ability of the USCG to fulfill its future DHS mission requirements to the best of its ability. The USCG is at a decision point. The dilemma is the feasibility of managing demography in a volunteer organization that assesses and promotes its personnel based on merit. Should the USCG maintain a merit-based admission and promotion policy, or should the goal of race/gender societal reflectiveness take precedence over the concept of merit for the USCG to 'diversify' its ranks? Thankfully, the USCG does not need to choose between the concepts of merit and diversity because the two concepts are not mutually exclusive. Instead of a strict meritocracy or a highly regulated demographic personnel model, the USCG should pursue a third diversification option that clearly communicates respect for both multiculturalism (diversity) and merit-based accessions and promotions. This thesis proposes a new recruiting and promotion philosophy called The Respect Paradigm, which incorporates the organizational strengths of merit-based promotions/accessions with the USCG core value of Respect for its already existing diverse workforce. The strategy canvas presented in this thesis provides a qualitative method of marketing and messaging the Respect Paradigm to federal legislators and USCG organizational leaders."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Ferguson, Joel S.
2010-06
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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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Highway Security: Filling the Void
From the thesis abstract: "As a society dependent upon our highways, protecting them from the destructive tactics of terrorists is critical. If successfully attacked and destroyed, these critical highway infrastructures could isolate a community, severely hamper the transportation of vital goods and services, and potentially kill motorists along the structure when the attack occurs. An explosive device detonated in heavy traffic during rush hour could cause deaths, significant injuries, and create a psychological impact reverberating around the entire country. Our open roadway system not only provides us with the freedoms our forefathers intended, but also provides terrorists the ability to travel the highways of this country without government intervention. Unfortunately, this unencumbered freedom of movement also lends itself to exploitation by terrorists. Threat assessments consistently reveal the vulnerability of our highways and their critical infrastructure to terrorist attacks. Yet, the highways remain underprotected. Law enforcement officers are the foot soldiers of the war on terror in the United States. It is a very small army with tremendous responsibility. Our public looks to the police to protect them against crime and criminals; terrorists are the new criminals and terrorism is the new crime. The strategies and tactics to make the public safe against terrorism on our highways are similar, and they are a natural extension of existing law enforcement highway safety strategies. No paradigm shift is necessary. This thesis proposes strategies designed to take law enforcement's concept of highway safety and expand this paradigm to mesh with the threat environment of modern-day terrorism."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Russillo, Tracy S.
2011-09
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Public Sector Unionization: Understanding the Rise in Membership Rates and Impact on Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "Public sector union membership rolls will swell by over 40,000 Transportation Security Officers (TSO) as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) embarks on transitioning to a unionized screener workforce. Proponents argue that screening operations will be in jeopardy as poor performing screeners will be difficult to remove for cause, attention will be focused on union issues rather than security measures, and the threat of work slowdown or unofficial strikes if union demands are not met could have nationwide economic repercussions. The TSA organizing as a unionized workforce has parallel similarities to another unionized aviation industry federal agency--the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO). Disgruntled with years of attempted bargaining between PATCO and the Federal Aviation Association (FAA), PATCO staged an unofficial work strike in August 1981 that temporarily halted air traffic in the United States. As airlines were forced to cancel flights, this strike brought national attention to the impacts that federalized workers can have on national security and the economy. Federal agencies with national and homeland security responsibilities must remain operationally agile. The economic devastation resulting from a TSA work strike could potentially cripple the complex transportation network of aviation, rail, pipeline, highway, cargo, maritime and mass transit."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Grannan, Donna J.
2011-12
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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]
"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."
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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Real ID and the Security of State Identity Documents: The Long, Rocky, and Incomplete Journey Toward Full Implementation
From the thesis abstract: "The 9/11 Commission recommended that the federal government set standards for the issuance of identification documents. Insecure identification documents are used to engage in fraud against individuals, government institutions, and businesses, and they have been used to facilitate terrorism. The federal government has led by enacting the REAL ID Act in 2005, which set issuance standards for driver's licenses and state identification documents. Nine years later, only 21 of the 56 states and territories are in full compliance. This thesis provides a highlevel overview and evaluation of some of the major state concerns that have led some jurisdiction to resist REAL ID openly, and others to make material, but not yet full compliance. It explores the federal government's response to those concerns; how it has sought to facilitate compliance, and its more recent move toward enforcement as it begins to restrict the use of non-compliant documents for federal official purposes. The thesis provides case studies of three states to illustrate the implementation experience of those states. Finally, it provides an analysis of federal efforts to date, and provides recommendations on what the federal government might do to address states' concerns, and reach the goal of full compliance."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Hamilton, Cristina
2014-03
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Risk Unbound: Threat, Catastrophe and the End of Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "Threat and catastrophe highlight the impossibility of providing perfect security, and demonstrate the limitations of risk-based security practices. This thesis presents an argument in three parts. First, the dangers homeland security agencies confront are increasingly beyond the reach of measures for control. The character of security risks is complex and volatile, while worst-case possibilities--not merely probable accidents and disasters--are particularly relevant to domestic security agencies and organizations. Second, the security response to such unbounded risks has been the creation of unconscionable maps--tools and concepts that presume a greater degree of knowledge, uniformity, and control than is available. Finally, there is a body of knowledge and capability better suited to security uncertainties, and homeland security agencies must find ways to cultivate these capacities. Contrary to current security practices, national adaptability is more desirable than perfect knowledge, control of crisis, or national uniformity."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Anderson, Jacob S.
2015-09
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Serious Games in FEMA Regional Response Coordination Center Training and Exercises
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis describes how the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] could use a serious game to improve performance, feedback, and engagement in Regional Response Coordination Center training and exercises. Despite the publicly acknowledged deficiencies of FEMA's response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, more than half the positions FEMA identified for Hurricane Sandy in 2012 were filled by unqualified personnel. While training and exercises are but elements of the problem, they are essential to the solution. In particular, one weakness of traditional training and exercises is they do not sufficiently stress decision makers. An ever-increasing body of research exists demonstrating how serious games provide positive skill transfer and evoke similar reactions as real-world disasters. This paper presents a game design document and prototype for a Regional Response Coordination Center serious game called 72-Hours. The game is intended to stress individual players and teams as they attempt to stabilize a disaster within the 72-hour goal set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Brawley, Randy S.
2015-09
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Should We Stay or Should We Go Now? The Physical, Economic, Geopolitical, Social and Psychological Factors of Recovery from Catastrophic Disaster
From the thesis abstract: "'Should we continue to build there?' is a question asked after other past disasters; it is especially more poignant as local, state and federal governments deal with pre-disaster mitigation funding and post-disaster emergency management funding issues. The goal of this research is to develop a way of answering that question through a better understanding of the social, economic, and cultural problems and opportunities of rebuilding. As a result, shortcomings in the assumptions of existing response and recovery plans can be identified, and current community planning can consider future catastrophic events. Through pre-identification of physical, social, and political limitations other communities have faced, proactive land use, response, and recovery planning decisions could be implemented that increase the chance that communities can successfully emerge from disaster. This study investigates examples of past catastrophic disasters and the positive and negative experiences as those communities struggled to return to normalcy. The end result of the research is an assessment that identifies the economic, geopolitical, and social factors of recovery following a catastrophic disaster. The research used historical case studies and their challenges with recovery. Based on the case study findings, an analysis was created of the current economic, geopolitical, and social factors in the City of Seaside, Oregon, following a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami to identify future recovery challenges."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Perino, Charles S.
2014-09
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Identifying and Leveraging Trust as a Key Element in the Development, Implementation and Sustainment of the Salt Lake City Fire Department's Intelligence Program
From the thesis abstract: "Laying the foundation for the reestablishment of the Salt Lake City Fire Department's [SLCFD] intelligence program requires several steps: Establishing a need; identifying the stakeholders; developing an implementation and sustainment plan based on the key constructs of successful collaboration; and providing a continued mechanism for evaluation and adjustment. Distilling the constructs of collaboration into a key component of success will provide additional focus to the development and implementation process. The questions this thesis answers are, can trust be identified as a significant factor in successful, collaborative working relationships? And if so, how can focusing on developing trust add value and sustainment potential to the SLCFD intelligence gathering use and dissemination program? The research uses appreciative inquiry in combination with multiple case studies, examining elements of successful and unsuccessful collaborative efforts in the arena of the fire service and national security. This thesis investigates the rise and fall of the Salt Lake City Fire Department's national security effort for the time period spanning pre-2002 Olympics to 2014. Components responsible for the diminished involvement since the Olympics are examined, evaluating each based on the role of trust. The nexus between those constructs and trust is the foundation for the recommendations for rebuilding the Salt Lake City Fire Department intelligence program. Developing strong, trusting relationships and addressing the concerns of all stakeholders are identified as key components in the successful case studies. Trust has been identified as the underpinning to the recommendations for the redevelopment of an intelligence program in the Salt Lake City Fire Department."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Ellis, Martha Marie
2014-09
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Mega-Leadership in a Mega Disaster: A Case Study of Governor Haley Barbour's Leadership During Hurricane Katrina
From the thesis abstract: "The complexities of leadership in today's environment are often obscured by the focus of traditional theories on leadership as the top-down, leader-subordinate construct typical of hierarchical organizations. These theories also do not fully capture what occurs when leaders must catalyze action well above and beyond their formal lines of decision making and control. Leaders today must simultaneously lead 'down' in the traditional sense, 'up' to influence the people or organizations to which they are accountable, and 'across' to activate peer groups and others with whom there is no formal subordinate relationship, and that these activities are parts of an integrated whole. This leadership model is referred to as 'meta-leadership.' This thesis asked, to what extent is Governor Haley Barbour's response to and decision making during Hurricane Katrina an example of meta-leadership? What can be learned as far as smart practices from Barbour's leadership and can these practices be replicated? The focus of this thesis was the conduct of a single case study. Governor Haley Barbour's leadership style and decision-making process during Hurricane Katrina response operations were examined to determine whether or to what extent they accord with the theory of meta-leadership. Our conclusions are that Governor Barbour epitomized the tenets of meta-leadership and that, given the proper academic environment, meta-leadership can be replicated."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Smithson, Lee Wallace
2014-12
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Additive Manufacturing: Preparing for the Reality of Science Fiction
From the thesis abstract: "Historically, policymakers have had difficulty addressing issues raised by emerging technologies. Whether it is inadequate legislation due to a general lack of awareness, or overregulation from a perceived threat, emerging technologies seem to repeatedly confuse those responsible for ensuring their safe incorporation into society. Despite decades of experience with similar issues, this trend continues to this day. What lessons can be drawn from different approaches to policy development for other emerging technologies to help policymakers avoid these failures for additive manufacturing technologies? A structured focus comparison of three emerging technologies, unmanned aerial systems, autonomous vehicles, and additive manufacturing, revealed characteristics of emerging technologies--such as a low price point for market entry and rapid evolution--that tend to surprise policymakers. This thesis recommends organizations make a concerted effort to engage early and often in the policy development process, and that they carefully consider each stakeholder's level of involvement. It is also recommended that the Department of Homeland Security leverage existing mechanisms, such as the Centers of Excellence partnerships and the Strategic Foresight Initiative, to engage nontraditional partners in addressing issues raised by additive manufacturing technologies"
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Windle, William A.
2015-09
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Soft Target Security: Environmental Design and the Deterrence of Terrorist Attacks on Soft Targets in Aviation Transportation
From the thesis abstract: "Recent attacks on airports exposed an emerging threat to the security of the traveling public, attacks on soft targets. Incidents throughout the world indicate that terrorists, seeking to maximize life loss, and economic and symbolic destruction, have changed their focus to soft targets. The thesis examines plausible deterrence measures through environmental design for crowd protection in the aviation transportation sector. The policies of the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the United States Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), are compared to extract best practices for soft target security. Using case analysis of terror attacks on airports in Brussels (2016), Los Angeles (2013), and Glasgow (2007), operational space, deterrence, infrastructure design, and human perception are explored as a means to reduce risk. The thesis finds that new airport environmental design strategies are required to protect crowds, harden the infrastructure, and build resilient structures. The thesis recommends applying environmental design countermeasures in the typically crowded areas of airline ticketing queues, TSA passenger security checkpoints, and baggage areas by changing the adversaries' perception of opportunistic targets. New risk-assessment models, changes to physical structures, use of new technology including robotics, and the broader use of simulation models are identified as required paths to improve the effective security of soft targets in airports."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Jashari, Linda
2018-03
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CHDS Thesis Series: Tell Me What I Need to Know: What Mayors and Governors Want from Their Fusion Center [video]
"Mayors and governors who represent high threat, high-density urban areas need strategic, decision-making advantages and, as such, should be significant users of intelligence products developed by state and local fusion centers. These chief executives desire to understand the operating environment for their jurisdictions where daily risks and threats emerge from the complexities of an integrated world. In this Viewpoints interview, recent CHDS [Center for Homeland Defense and Security] graduate Yi-Ru Chen discusses her thesis which examines the numerous advantages in engaging these top-level officials in this discourse."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Chen, Yi-Ru
2009-12-07
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Improving the Current DHS Capabilities Framework
From the thesis abstract: "After the 9/11/2001 terrorist attack, the President signed Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8 (HSPD 8). The intent of the directive was to establish a mechanism improving our ability to protect against, prevent, respond to and recover from any occurrence. Interim guidance established complimentary initiatives toward a national system for developing capabilities: National Preparedness Goal, Universal Tasks and Target Capabilities. The effectiveness of the guidance, however, is hampered by several incongruities and conflicting efforts with other similar federal initiatives. There is not one consistent approach either in content or application for identifying or developing jurisdictional capabilities. The current capability initiative was developed over a short timeframe with a focus on the intent of Presidential Directives, Congressional concerns and mandated deadlines. The development of the current initiative was done through consultation and not collaboration with all the involved stakeholders. The research and development of this thesis to "Improve the Current DHS Capabilities Framework" relied on stakeholder input, years of emergency management experience, and a period of 18 months to study all the elements. The intent of this thesis is to enhance current efforts by proposing a framework that is reflective of the homeland security and emergency management community or jurisdictional needs."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
McGowan, Dan W.
2008-09
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Recommendations for Homeland Security Organizational Approaches at the State Government Level
"State governments have been recognized as the fusion point for a significant portion of policy, operational, and implementation activities for homeland security. Additionally, the most critical decisions for allocating resources and prioritizing efforts have been delegated to states. The federal government has required this role of states and has asked them to organize task forces to deal with these challenges but has provided little guidance about how states might establish, administer, and ensure effectiveness of these structures. States have begun to establish decision-making bodies independently, inconsistently, and with few measurements to evaluate effectiveness. This thesis provides a roadmap to success for individual state organizational approaches for Homeland Security. The recommendations are based upon an analysis of directives, expectations, national strategies, existing approaches and a case study of one state's efforts. The call for organizing for the war on terror is acknowledged, accepted, and for the most part, vigorously answered. But how the nation's states organize and to what ends their resources are applied will determine national and even international victory in this war. This project provides a model charter, recommended outcomes and outputs for a state structure, and several policy considerations for the State of Washington's Homeland Security infrastructure."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Woodbury, Glen L.
2004-06
