Urban America: Homeland Security and its Changing Dynamics

You hear the phrase everyday, everywhere - Homeland Security. Since the arrival of the Bush administration, no other single topic has dominated the news like this one. Even though the economy is on people’s minds, Homeland Security is the talk of the town.

What is it really? Where does it come from? And most importantly, what does it mean in urban centers like Atlanta, Tampa, Detroit, and Chicago? Lets take a look.

Homeland Security is now the umbrella that deals with individual safety from external threats. It has 3 older “cousins”, if you will, that you might know- Civil Defense, Emergency Management, and Business Continuity.

Civil Defense started in the 50’s, when we thought we might be on the brink of nuclear war. You might have seen the pictures of school kids practicing getting under the desk, or you might still see buildings that have the yellow and black triangle designating a bomb shelter. Depending on your age, you may have been in these drills years ago. The warning sirens that go off periodically in your area, usually of the first Saturday of the month at 1:00p.m., are from this time period. Not to mention that ever-occurring sound from the Emergency Broadcast System on your TV and radio (this is only a test). These things were designed to help people in case someone dropped “the bomb” on us.

Emergency Management is the stuff that FEMA embodies- recovery from floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other major disasters. This emerged in the late 80’s and 90’s, especially in California due to the wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and mudslides. It got its legs on big emergencies- Three Mile Island, Hurricane Katrina, Oklahoma City, and the Cuban Refugee crisis. Much of what happens here is the coordination of what happens after a crisis starts- and how do you help the people who are affected. Your local fire department, the American Red Cross, and the Salvation Army are prominent organizations in this effort.

Business Continuity became big with the Y2K preparations, and focuses on information technology or cyber security. How does your business continue to operate if critical data is destroyed by a computer virus? Can you still operate if you have no electricity due to a storm or power outage? How much money does your corporation lose if your headquarters is destroyed by a fire or tornado? How do we keep servicing our customers in the time of crisis? These questions all businesses, large or small, need to answer.

Homeland Security is the law enforcement portion of all these efforts. It simply means all law enforcement agencies must share info to prevent terror and crime or catch them soon after. The local police, county sheriffs, and Federal Agencies didn’t really compare notes regularly. All of that is over now. After 9/11, they are sharing even the smallest of details on everyone.

What this means to urban America is that there is a coordinated effort to keep you are safer from terrorists, natural disasters, and man-made ones.

Knowledge wins out every time over ignorance, so just be prepared. Here are some tips:

Ø Keep your proper I.D. on you at all times and have backup copies for you and your children.

Ø Gain a basic understanding of the laws in your community. Most places have free legal advice centers to help you know what is lawful.

Ø Get to know your police in your community. Get active in Community Policing programs.

Ø Clear up outstanding tickets and any associated warrants as soon as possible. Most courts will create arrangements with you where possible.

Ø Get your tags and license plates in order before your birthday. (You know who you are.)

Ø Fill out applications for jobs or other items as accurately as possible. Leave no doubts for potential employers.

Ø If you travel out of the country, check with the state department for travel warnings and advisories. Keep your passport updated and use good judgment in your associations with other travelers.

Ø Have a sense of the flood plains in your community. Flooding is still the most common, and costly, emergency in America.

These are just a few tips to keep you safe and secure in the days ahead. An ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure.

George L. Davis, II, P.E.M.

Mr. Davis is a certified Professional Emergency Manager through FEMA, a former Public Policy Analyst of Public Safety for Detroit City Council, and a Public Safety Manager for the Detroit Salt Company.