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• Terrorism Prevention Through Community Policing

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  "Mass casualty, premeditated, and targeted violence incidents connected with extremism and hate are on the rise in the United States. The year 2019 saw more mass killings in the United States than ever recorded in one calendar year. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) is the government-funded program that intended to mitigate these threats, but diverse community groups labeled CVE a discriminatory spying campaign, focused exclusively on Muslim community members. This thesis explores whether CVE might benefit from the integration of community policing strategies and, if so, what strategies from community policing would make future CVE programs more successful. Using an appreciative inquiry approach, this thesis evaluates CVE pilot programs, including current community policing models in Los Angeles and New York City. Recommendations include abandoning the phrase 'countering violent extremism'; creating an all-inclusive, whole-community approach; empowering all front-line police officers to be problem solvers; cultivating citizen involvement in the design and structure of violence prevention programs; educating police officers on hate crimes, violent extremism, and the radicalization process; separating all community-focused violence programming from intelligence collection and criminal investigation teams; and gaining endorsements of such programs from executive-level law enforcement managers."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Wyckoff, Robert

  2020-03
• Pills, Powders, and Overdose: An Analysis of America's Illicit Fentanyl Crisis

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  "Illicit fentanyl and its analogs are the most substantial synthetic opioid threat that North America faces, and there is no indication that the threat will decrease in the near future. Illicit fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is, at a minimum, 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and responsible for the exponential increase in overdoses and overdose deaths in recent years. Illicit fentanyl and its analogs are being mixed with drugs such as cocaine and heroin and have been found disguised in counterfeit prescription pills. Data suggest that many drug users are unaware of the illicit fentanyl in the drugs they consume. The illicit fentanyl threat affects communities nationwide by depleting public health, public safety, and financial resources. This thesis seeks to present the illicit fentanyl crisis by providing its history and describing the manufacturing, trafficking, and distribution of illicit fentanyl and the effects it has on communities and community resources. Illicit fentanyl and its analogs have become an epidemic in North America that continues to spread like an infection. Policy must be implemented and success measured to prevent the infection from becoming a terminal illness."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Heiser, Timothy C.

  2020-03
• Your Bridges Are Failing, Which One Should You Fix First? An Objective Yet Simple Method to Rate Bridges

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  "There is no simple and objective method for rating the criticality of bridges that conveys multi-sector components. This thesis addresses this problem using a multi-sector approach that accounts for sector-specific disruptions that can arise from damage to a single bridge. Methods for rating bridges are drawn from the existing academic, industrial, and international communities' efforts to quantify criticality. Using this sector-specific information, a novel solution is proposed for rating the criticality of a bridge, or other structure, that conveys co-linear links or nodes associated with multiple infrastructure networks."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Carroll, Christopher

  2020-03
• Last Responders: Approaching the Disaster After the Disaster Through Community-Led Long-Term Recovery Coalitions

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  "Recovery is the disaster after the disaster, particularly for long-term recovery (LTR). Classic emergency management (EM) approaches may fail to address LTR because of its 'wicked problems,' which evade traditional top-down systems. For wicked problems, scholars recommend mobilization of varied stakeholder networks. One such network exists in LTR through community-led coalitions, an organizing phenomenon coordinating nonprofits, congregations, associations, and other services to streamline diverse, critical services. The model brings together emergent groups, governmental EM, and nongovernmental EM sectors. This study examines how community-led LTR coalitions interpret and tackle LTR's wicked problems through an in-depth qualitative analysis of long-term recovery groups after Hurricane Sandy in New York City. The research methodology includes interviews with coalition coordinators and assessments of materials relating to these coalitions. The study demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses in coalition approaches to five wicked problems derived from LTR scholarship. It offers recommendations to LTR practitioners across sectors and explores the significance of these coalitions for EM and democratic participation in recovery. This thesis applies scholarly rigor to approaches taken by coalitions in NYC to make sense of LTR's wicked problems and collectively tackle them. It is written by and for leaders who serve survivors through the long haul of recovery--the 'last responders.'"

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Tornello, Alana

  2020-03
• Rising Tide Floats All Boats, but Drowns Infrastructure: The Impact of Sea-Level Rise on America's Maritime Infrastructure

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  "America's maritime ports provide vital services to the nation's economy and national security functioning as the critical nodes in a transportation network facilitating imports and exports and connecting distribution routes throughout the entire country. Many maritime ports also provide facilities for military operations for all branches of the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. The homeland security enterprise is primarily focused on counterterrorism. A changing climate brings significant threats across a wide spectrum of vectors. Maritime ports and their supporting infrastructure are at risk of inundation from sea-level rise as a consequence of global climate change. The homeland security enterprise continues to focus on the low probability/high consequence threat of domestic maritime terrorism while a high probability/high consequence event looms just over the horizon. This paper examines the risks, vulnerabilities, costs and consequences posed by the catastrophic threat of sea-level rise--nature's weapon of mass destruction, reviews the dynamics behind recent and current resource allocation, and proposes recommendations for future policy deliberations."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Sullivan, Michael

  2020-03
• 9-1-1: What's Our Emergency? Diagnosing a Struggling Occupation Serving a Neglected System

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  "In 2019, only twelve U.S. states/territories required the Emergency Communications Officer (ECO) to meet hiring standards, twenty-nine required basic training standards, twenty-three required continuing-education standards, and twenty-three required use of pre-arrival medical instruction protocols. Furthermore, the federal government misclassifies the profession within its Office and Administrative Support occupational grouping, as opposed to the Protective Service occupational grouping. There is substantial evidence of 9-1-1 failures in professionalism and proficiency, nationwide. This thesis seeks to answer the question: How could the nation's 9-1-1 system --specifically its ECO occupation--evolve to address problems and maximize advantages to public safety and homeland security? It is a policy analysis but includes some qualitative analysis. Professionalization and standardization need to occur within the system, beginning with an accurate occupational classification. Increased compensation commensurate with the work performed is also needed, and that should be accompanied with mandated hiring, basic training and certification standards, and requirements in the use of pre-arrival medical instruction protocols. Lastly, a termination of all jurisdictional misappropriation of 9-1-1 fees, updated and sustainable funding streams, and adequate investment in technological enhancements necessary to improve the system's efficiency, proficiency, redundancy, and resiliency need to occur."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Haight, Kevin P.

  2020-03
• Aligning the National Preparedness Goal and FEMA's National Preparedness Grants

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  "The majority of Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) preparedness grants were created in the wake of 9/11 through the Department of Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Act). These grants, as required by the Act, are predicated on addressing terrorism preparedness. The National Preparedness Goal (the Goal) was introduced in 2011 to provide an all-hazards capability-based system to measure the nation's level of preparedness. The purpose of this thesis is to determine if FEMA's preparedness grants are allowing the Goal to be achieved and examine if the grant programs can be adjusted to better align with the strategic intent of the Goal. This research examined homeland security capabilities and federal grant programs to determine if a nexus to terrorism has created any limitations. The results of the national preparedness reports from 2014 to 2018 are also examined to determine if the nation is moving in the right direction regarding preparedness. Several preliminary ideas are offered to improve alignment of grant programs with the Goal. A recommendation is also made for FEMA to develop a process to understand better how grant funds are impacting capabilities."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Harbour, Lance D.

  2020-03
• Improving Resilience Among Law Enforcement Officers

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  "Law enforcement officers' exposure to stress exacts a toll on them. Agencies have programs designed to mitigate stress and assist officers after a critical incident, but research shows pre-exposure to stressors may help officers better mitigate stress. The goal of this thesis was to examine stress management and psychological resiliency tools that are most promising in reducing stress and building resilience in law enforcement, starting with a review of the effects of chronic and acute stress, post-traumatic stress disorder in officers, and health-related problems associated with stress. This thesis examined wellness and employee assistance programs, critical incident stress management, and psychological first aid, programs all designed to address stress-related problems that occur after critical incidents. Specific attention in this thesis was paid to preventative tactics to reduce stress such as mindfulness and controlled breathing techniques, the use of meditation and yoga, and visualization techniques to prepare officers for potentially stressful events--techniques that could have positive effects in reducing stress-related mental and physical health problems experienced by officers. Based on this review, recommendations to improve wellness programs include incorporating mindfulness techniques, tactical psychological training, and the better use of technology in both ongoing and preventative stress care."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Miller, Brian S.

  2020-03
• Campus Police Participation in Joint Terrorism Task Forces

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  "The strategy a campus police leader and university administration adopt in a post-9/11 world must consider the context of campus attacks and foiled plots over the past 12 years: the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, the 2014 University of California Santa Barbara attack killing six, and, tangentially, the 2015 arrest by Boston Police of a Boston Police captain's son for plotting an Islamic State-inspired attack against a college campus. The nexus among the three attacks is that the campus and campus community were the direct targets of the attacks. Whether it be the threat of an individual's radicalization or an untreated mental illness, American college campuses are today and shall foreseeably remain locations challenged by the potential for violence. This issue can be examined internally through threat assessment teams or campus partnerships with key stakeholders and externally through community policing partnerships, training, and networking. Given the increasing complexity and diverse social fabric of colleges and universities, campus police leaders must understand and prepare for a wide range of threats in a post-9/11 and politically polarized era."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Higgins, Ronnell A.

  2020-03
• Analysis of the New Jersey Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act Through a Modern Emergency Management Frame

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  "The laws and directives in the state of New Jersey governing emergency management must ensure a defined, understood, and achievable mission, and clearly delineate responsibilities at each level of government. This thesis addresses how emergency management in New Jersey can be modified based on a comprehensive analysis of the New Jersey Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act of 1942 and the corresponding New Jersey Office of Emergency Management directives. Each statute of the act and each directive was analyzed against five criteria and then placed in one of three categories: no change, modification needed, or repeal. Emergency management professionals in the state were then asked questions regarding the act, the content of the analysis, and the categorization of the statutes. The data collected from these professionals was used to make changes, or to alter the final categorization. This iterative process resulted in a more thorough analysis. This research makes four main recommendations: improve training for emergency managers in the state, codify modifications of the act in legislation, take a holistic approach to improvements for emergency operations plan development and compliance, and modify residency restrictions on municipal emergency management coordinators. The goal of this thesis is to provide the least complex rules and regulations for emergency managers, so that they can do their job with a better sense of responsibilities to the community served."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Cunning, Daniel

  2020-03
• Human Trafficking: The Hidden Aftermath of U.S. Natural Disasters

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  "This thesis explores common factors associated with both victims of human trafficking and vulnerable populations in post-natural-disaster environments. This research aimed to prove post-natural-disasters can lead to human trafficking crimes. The research identified social, economic, and human security factors that are present in both human trafficking and natural disaster environments. Volatility in these categories destabilizes and disrupts multiple aspects of a community, consequently leading to individuals being more susceptible to trafficking. The findings of this research also indicate that the identified factors have universal applicability regardless of disaster type, culture, or geographic location. Disaster survivors are not the only vulnerable population, but other populations, such as disaster workers, are also susceptible to trafficking. Gaining an in-depth perspective on the common vulnerabilities linking human trafficking and natural disasters can help officials develop strategies to assist with combating trafficking activities in a post-disaster environment and protect individuals who are in a compromised state after enduring a life-altering disaster event."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Eichelberger, Carrie B.

  2020-03
• Bridging the Gap: Providing Transportation Leaders with a Strategic and Risk-Based Investment Methodology

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  "A nationally accepted and adopted methodology for state departments of transportation to assess the importance of roads, bridges, and other transportation assets does not exist. Instead, transportation agencies must prioritize the projects to invest in, without having a complete picture of the makeup of their network and the risk posed from a loss or disruption of a component of the network. To make informed transportation investment decisions, transportation leaders need to have the tools necessary to determine the risk to the infrastructure based on the possible consequences if a segment of the transportation infrastructure network were disrupted. This thesis provides a methodology for network modeling of surface transportation infrastructure and analyzing the risk of a disruption to that network based on the consequence of population and economic impacts. By applying the methodology herein, transportation leaders can make informed decisions about their transportation investments based on the investments that provide the greatest return on investment."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Miller, Brittany N.

  2020-03
• International Governance of Non-State Actors in Cyberspace: Is a Single Entity Sufficient for Dispute Resolution?

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  From the Thesis Abstract: "Cyberattacks by non-state actors have evolved with the speed of technology, leaving governments largely powerless to address emerging threats, partly due to the lack of legal options to dissuade or deter malicious non-state actors. To adequately address the threat, the international community must form legally binding mechanisms to pursue non-state actors similar to the way the world rethought terrorism after 9/11. This thesis rejects a proposed dispute-mitigation recommendation now under consideration by international negotiators--the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, leveraging the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime as its framework--and explores an alternative approach for the international governance of the cyber domain, with due mechanisms established to address the ongoing threat of malicious non-state actors. Numerous stakeholders influence cyber strategies in the U.S. and internationally; therefore, a one-system entity is an ineffective regulatory mechanism. Rather, it should be multi-pronged, multilateral, and comprise a unified approach that includes the UN, NATO, INTERPOL, as well as sanctioned unilateral state processes to achieve optimal outcomes. The Paris Climate Agreement should be referenced as a model for success in garnering support for this governance initiative, utilizing the UN to define the space and develop a clear, well-defined framework leveraging the Budapest Convention and the Tallinn Manual 2.0 encapsulated in an amendable treaty."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Francis, Jaclyn L.

  2020-06
• Overcoming Implementation Barriers Within the Fire Service to Reduce Firefighter Cancer Rates

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  From the Thesis Abstract: "Occupational cancer has become the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths within the United States fire service. This epidemic claims the lives of hundreds of firefighters each year, even though the fire service has developed best practices to prevent occupational cancers. This thesis identifies seven barriers that are preventing fire departments from implementing best practices: fire department culture, firefighters' ignorance of the disease and prevention methods, complacency caused by cancer's long latency periods, funding, pathways to compliance with national and departmental policies, groupthink, and motivation. To explain how fire departments can overcome these barriers, this thesis examines the health and safety efforts that two departments have taken and reviews literature from other fire departments, national fire service organizations, subject-matter experts, researchers, and academic studies. This research shows that when fire departments provide their members with the proper tools, training, education, and awareness, they can rise to the occasion and implement best practices to prevent occupation-related cancer."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Haseney, John J.

  2020-06
• Fueling the Fire: An Examination of Right-Wing Extremism in the United States Over the Last Decade

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  From the Thesis Abstract: "In the past decade, American society has witnessed increased violence from a threat it has suffered in the past: right-wing extremism. The question that arises then is why, or more precisely, why now? This thesis explores the factors that led to the resurgence of right-wing extremism in the United States over the past decade. It argues that the resurgence of right-wing violence in America after 2008 is due to a dynamic interplay of contextual factors, including the existence of a subculture of xenophobia and the near-unfettered access to firearms, along with concrete grievances, such as economic anxiety and resentment toward the government. These contextual factors enabled an environment where extremist violence was more likely to occur, and the concrete grievances provided the motivation. The third set of factors that fueled the 2008 right-wing resurgence were the occurrence of several catalytic events including the election of the first African-American president and the shift in societal behavior afforded by social media. These events provided salience to the context and grievances, thereby intensifying the violent reactions by right-wing extremists."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Vitali, Joshua D.

  2020-06-12
• Increasing Local Public Health Emergency Preparedness Capacity by Building from Within the Current Infrastructure

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  From the Thesis Abstract: "State and local public health departments are losing the ability to respond to and protect the community from public health threats. Increase to public health funding follows after an identified threat because current capacity cannot absorb a new mission. Given the decrease in federal funding and subsequent loss of response capacity, how can local public health reconfigure its organizational structure or find alternate sources of funding to maintain or increase current response capacity? This thesis traces the growth of public health from a single program to today's U.S. Department of Health and Human Services supporting state and local health departments through federal grant funds. Using case studies and comparing federal grant awards to the structures of state and local departments, this thesis reveals how reliance on federal funding affects the organization of public health. The research demonstrates the direct correlation between the current structure and a century of funding one program per threat. Reliance on federal grants imperils the United States public health system because state and local departments must reorganize in order to sustain ongoing public health missions. The conclusion includes four recommendations that may improve the overall public health network by modifying funding to a more inclusive process, changing the type of federal grants, restructuring to support larger domains, and increasing state and local budgets to support response capacity."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Castle, Marcus A.

  2020-06
• Social Network Analysis: Enhancing Threat Assessments for Targeted Violence

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  From the Thesis Abstract: "This research applies social network analysis and social identity theory to threat assessment investigations of subjects who commit acts of targeted violence. It provides a framework for understanding the expanding threat of targeted violence and its impact on U.S. homeland security. Statistics on targeted violence in the United States show that incidents are increasing in both frequency and lethality. Traditional studies of targeted violence have focused heavily on the mental state of the 'lone' perpetrator without fully examining the role of social influences. This research incorporates case studies intended to offer insight, increase understanding, and suggest new methods of enhancing the current field of threat assessment for targeted violence cases. The findings of this research recommend new strategies for conducting targeted violence threat assessment investigations utilizing the application of social network analysis and social identity theory. Through an examination of previous targeted violent actors, this research establishes that understanding relevant social conditions can contribute significant clues about an individual's risk of entering a pathway to violence. These clues can be mapped and followed over a period of time to reveal a social withdrawal and loss of restraining relationships."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Vogt, Darren J.

  2020-06
• Port Security Grant Program: Good Enough, or Can It Be Made Better

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  From the thesis abstract: "For almost a decade and a half since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Port Security Grant Program [PSGP] has provided funding to project proposals for improving the security and resiliency posture of the nation's ports and waterways. The United States has over 360 coastal and inland ports through which over $1.3 trillion in cargo moves annually; a safe, secure, and efficient MTS [Marine Transportation System] is critical to national security. The PSGP is intended to enhance port security and resiliency by funding proposals to provide increased risk management, measures to mitigate disruptions and facilitate port recovery, and maritime domain awareness (MDA) capabilities to prevent, respond to, and recover from attacks. The PSGP has matured to include funding for all-hazards threatening the ports-natural, accidental, and intentional. This thesis seeks to evaluate how well the PSGP has met those goals and if it should be improved, reorganized or eliminated."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Arnett, Paul D. J.

  2016-06
• No Nation is Home Alone: Understanding the International Dimension of Homeland Security Through Global Transportation Security Programs

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  From the thesis abstract: "Terrorist actors focus on the global transportation system to introduce threats and target attacks. As the lead department for securing the transportation system into the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) works both domestically and internationally to implement programs and foreign assistance activities to secure the global transportation network. This thesis examines DHS' international role by analyzing programs and policies implemented by its three largest global transportation agencies: the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, the Transportation Security Administration, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Due to the breadth of DHS programs and activities, their stated goals and objectives, and their legal mandates, this thesis determines that a U.S. foreign assistance framework provides minimal insight into DHS' international footprint. Instead, this research developed a simple model for understanding the primary components of DHS' international mission space and identified operations, policy, outreach and engagement, and training and technical assistance as core concepts in DHS' international mission. Using this model, DHS can pursue the additional recommendations developed in this thesis-applying systems theory as a basis for an international transportation security strategy as well as pursuing direct funding for its international transportation programs and activities as a fully integrated department-within the traditional U.S. foreign policy and national security institutions."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Tarpey, Dominique

  2016-03
• Eliminating the Lost Time Interval of Law Enforcement to Active Shooter Events in Schools

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  From the thesis abstract: "The Newtown Connecticut school attack at the Sandy Hook elementary school on December 14, 2012, was another example of the tragedy of mass murder. When a targeted attack occurs, the victims must await the arrival of law enforcement personnel to address the threat and stop the loss; this lost time interval results in extending the duration of a targeted attack until police can resist an attacker. In the absence of onsite personnel trained to resist an attacker, such as a school resource officer, students and staff are at the mercy of an attacker. This thesis asked the question: Can existing resources be leveraged to increase available capacities in actively resisting an active shooter in a targeted school attack to eliminate or reduce the lost time interval of law enforcement during an attack on an American school especially in low resource areas, such as rural and/or isolated communities. Case studies were completed to identify opportunities to reduce the loss incurred in these attacks with an emphasis on reducing the duration of an incident when prevention measures had failed. The value of collaboration and necessity to leverage resources in the public safety sector is well researched and critical resources with the capacity to operate in an offensive posture are available through planning and preparedness. Relationships can be developed between different domains and disciplines within a community to create a multidisciplinary environment of safety with the capacity to prevent or reduce loss through violence. Through these relationships, a culture can be created that combines strategies and tactics for prevention, as well as a response to these tragedies. A culture of security can replace vulnerability and result in a greater level of confidence in the ability to keep this nation's schools safer."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Ausdemore, Steve E.

  2015-09
• Intelligence-Driven Border Security: A Promethean View of U.S. Border Patrol Intelligence Operations

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  From the thesis abstract: "Transnational criminal networks will continue to evolve. The United States Border Patrol's (USBP) intelligence-driven planning, resourcing, and operations need to be responsive to the constant evolution in adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures. To successfully standardize and institutionalize intelligence processes, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted on the current USBP intelligence architecture and intelligence processes. The research compared and contrasted the current Border Patrol intelligence mission with best practices, lessons learned, shared missions, and constraints within the Intelligence Community. The research focused on the synthesis of an intelligence-driven, law enforcement culture, one that will increase situational awareness and understanding of the homeland security ecosystem through efficient planning, collections, exploitation, processing, analysis, production, and dissemination of intelligence-related information to all components of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This study examines literature from the DHS strategic documents, Department of Defense intelligence doctrine, Government Accountability Office reports, internal USBP intelligence documents, and subject-matter expert perspectives. This research leads USBP to consider instituting an effective organizational architecture that supports the evolutionary development of its intelligence-driven, border security operations and intelligence-driven, decision-making process. The thesis concludes that the synergy between law enforcement culture and intelligence-driven operations is difficult to achieve, yet once established, it is very powerful, irreplaceable, highly effective, and self-sustainable. Evidence demonstrates that in order to institute a culture of an intelligence-driven border security agency, a more robust approach needs to be standardized to sustain the flexibility and adaptability the USBP requires to address future threats in the twenty-first century."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Chavez, Gloria I.

  2015-12
• Public Safety Communications Centers: Are We Prepared for the New Technologies Coming Our Way?

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  From the thesis abstract: "This thesis explores the impact of rapidly evolving emerging technologies on public safety communications centers. It is intended to further the discussion on whether the public safety community is prepared for these new technologies, which will likely become commonplace over the next several years, and how to prepare to integrate those technologies into existing structures. Through the use of a nominal group technique and cross-impact analysis, this thesis utilized a pre-collected data set concerning the risks, structure, governance, policy and external influences associated with public safety communications centers in light of emerging technological advancements to determine what trends and events were of the greatest concerns to those actively involved in the leadership of public safety communications centers, development of emerging technologies, and implementation of governance models used by the various agencies. Those findings were analyzed and strategies were identified to allow for successful mitigation of the most statistically significant risks. Ultimately, this thesis determined that through visionary leadership, effective strategic planning and mitigation of risk, public safety agencies could position themselves for successful implementation of emerging technologies with their communications centers."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Shaw, Marc R.

  2014-03
• How LAFD CERT May Be Understood as a Smart Practice: How It Is Pioneering a Transition to Whole Community CERT and How It Can Serve as the Template for CERT Programs Nationally?

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  From the thesis abstract: "In 1987, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) established the first Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Program in the United States as a framework for organizing citizens to be more prepared. Using an appreciative inquiry approach, this thesis investigated how LAFD CERT can be understood as a smart practice and how successes might assist other agencies in constructing successful CERT programs within their jurisdictions. The conclusions are that through collaborative efforts with agencies within a city, expanding the outreach of CERT can be instrumental in achieving a more robust trained citizenry. Focusing on community resiliency and whole community concepts, LAFD CERT and others like it will be better equipped to assist as assets in the homeland security enterprise."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Gerlich, Stacy E.

  2014-06
• Assessing Resilience: How Plans, Strategies and After Action Reports Can Improve Our Understanding of Organizational Preparedness

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  From the thesis abstract: "Resilience has emerged as a prominent term throughout homeland security and emergency preparedness doctrine. The National Preparedness Goal, the United States Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) guiding strategic document, defines success as 'having a secure and resilient Nation.' The homeland security enterprise is promoting resilience, yet there is little literature on resilience at the organizational level in public safety agencies--organizations that are key to the homeland security enterprise. This thesis sought to answer two questions: First, how can existing public safety doctrine contribute to an understanding of the organizational resilience of public safety agencies? Second, how can after action reports (AARs) and their resultant learning process contribute to an understanding of adaptive capacity? To answer the research questions, this thesis applied New Zealand's resilience management framework to public safety agency doctrine. The research found that public safety agencies are engaged in activities that contribute to understanding their organizational resilience. It also found that the New Zealand framework can provide a working construct for understanding resilience within U.S. public safety agencies. Recommendations include standardizing AARs with federal guidance and making them publicly available to further contribute to understanding organizational resilience."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Nussbaum, Melissa

  2016-09
• New York City's First Responders: Enhancing Collaboration Between NYPD and FDNY

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  From the thesis abstract: "In a post-9/11 world, cooperation among first-responders in New York City is absolutely essential for maintaining public safety. Although more than a decade has passed since 9/11, inter-agency communication between the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) is still far from perfect. This paper examines the inter-agency cooperation changes made since 9/11, not only between the NYPD and the FDNY, but all agencies in state of New York charged with public safety. I also consider which approaches have worked to foster inter-agency cooperation, including the use of fusion centers, central agencies charged with coordinating emergency responses (such as the New York City Office of Emergency Management), and structured protocols like the Citywide Incident Management System that clearly delineate the roll of each agency at the scene of an emergency. Finally, I examine potential approaches that have not been implemented but could prove fruitful, and I make recommendations on what approaches should be taken in order to foster greater inter-agency cooperation."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Harrington, Michael J.

  2014-12
• Information Sharing from 9-1-1 Centers

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  From the thesis abstract: "Public safety first responders deal with life and death emergencies, natural disasters, school shootings, trauma created by lone shooters and major events, yet have not enabled members from the private sector, business owners, school administrators, and other public safety stakeholders to participate fully in the mitigation or prevention of these events. At no time in this nation's history is the public more attuned to the potential threats in the homeland, and simultaneously, willing, wanting, and able to be part of the solution. This thesis outlines proactive case studies that demonstrate the ability to share public-safety sensitive and law enforcement information in a safe, secure, and timely method with those who can help first responders make a difference and keep this country's communities safer."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Simpson, Carl P.

  2014-09
• Ultra-Marathoners of Human Smuggling: Defending Forward Against Dark Networks that Can Transport Terrorists Across American Land Borders [Supplemental]

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  This document is the supplemental to the thesis "Ultra-Marathoners of Human Smuggling: Defending Forward Against Dark Networks that Can Transport Terrorists Across American Land Borders" by Todd Bensman. "Five pre-2004 court cases analyzed for this research were not entirely available on PACER: United States v. Ashraf Ahmed Abdallah, United States v. Mehrzad Arbane, United States v. Mohammad Assadi, United States v. Mehar Jarad, and United States v. Nancy Zaia. Court documents related to these cases were acquired directly from U.S. Attorney's offices in 2007, during related research." The associated thesis can be found at the following link [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=788177].

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Bensman, Todd

  2015-09
• Ensuring the End Game: Facilitating the Use of Classified Evidence in the Prosecution of Terrorist Subjects

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  "The advancement and access of technology by terrorism subjects who plan and operate from under-governed or lawless lands has forced the U.S. to consider the demands the international threat environment places upon its security. More importantly is how the U.S. will adapt to meet these threats, prevent attacks and convict those who mean to do the nation harm. This thesis contends the modern day terrorism threat falls within the seams of the military, intelligence and law enforcement disciplines. The threat requires the fusion of these elements of national power to prevent attacks, collect vital intelligence and facilitate the use of key evidence to achieve substantive convictions. In order to achieve convictions the need for damming evidence is essential. However, with the fusion of the military, intelligence and law enforcement disciplines comes the problem of utilizing classified information as evidence to achieve end game convictions of capture terrorist subjects. The recommendations in this thesis can facilitate the use of classified intelligence as evidence by establishing a legal U.S. preventative detention system, a full and permanent integration of FBI personnel with SOCOM assets and establishing NCTC as a central planning and coordinating organization with the authority to direct counterterrorism operations."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Grave de Peralta, Ricardo

  2010-03
• National Network of Fusion Centers: Perception and Reality

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  From the thesis abstract: "The National Network of Fusion Centers (the Network) is one of many organizational efforts the nation has undergone to help bolster its counterterrorism prevention and response efforts. Since its creation in the years following the 9/11 attacks, the Network has garnered both accolades and criticisms, resulting in an uneven opinion about fusion center functions and performance. The diverse opinions that are held of the Network appear at times to be based on perceptions incongruent with some of the realities of current Network operations and which lead to an undervaluation of its contributions. This research examined the points of opposition between supporters and critics of the Network and identified strategies employed by the Network to mitigate areas of concern, in order to define the relationship or gap between actual performance and the perception of performance of the Network held by external (to the Network) parties. This research employed a modified version of the multi-goal policy analysis method as a guide for the conduct of analysis. This study recommends a recalibration of these perceptions."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Klem, Nicholas

  2014-12
• Changing the Paradigm: Implementation of Combined Law Enforcement, Fire, and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Cross-Disciplinary Response to Hostile Events

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  From the thesis abstract: "Our nation relies on law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services to protect citizens when confronted with emergent and hostile events. Mass shootings such as those that occurred at Columbine High School; Virginia Tech University; Mumbai, India; and Aurora Movie Theatre in Colorado require first responders to incorporate methods and tactics that integrate operations and challenge first responders to collaborate and operate in a unified manner. This research examines how public safety agencies can effectively implement a first responder cross-disciplinary plan to better coordinate police, fire, and EMS [Emergency Medical Service] responses. This study begins with a historical review of past incidents that demonstrate the need for cross-disciplinary teams. Next, new policies that support the use of cross-disciplinary teams are examined. Central to this research was an empirical study of the enablers and barriers to cross-disciplinary teams during a full-scale active shooter exercise. Illustrative findings among the participants in the exercise include a moderately high level of confidence in the concept and use of cross-disciplinary teams, the ability of various disciplines to trust each other's ability to work together, and the ability to communicate and share information. To establish and enhance the cross-disciplinary response, joint operational policies and procedures must be established."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Johnson, Keith H.

  2014-12