Preparation of United States for Terrorist and Natural Disaster Essay Example
Due to the 9/11 attack, America has faced a growing number of terrorism threats, ranging from major incidents to minor ones. Unfortunately, the country lacks the necessary resources and preparedness to efficiently handle these threats as well as natural disasters.
According to the Department of Homeland Security in 2012, the country faces various security challenges. Among these was a tragic event in Orlando, where a shooter killed 50 people and injured 53 others at a nightclub. Moreover, an ongoing immigration crisis arises from insufficient background checks for individuals entering the nation. Additionally, the accessibility of firearms increases the risk of terrorist acts.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina occurred just four years after the 9/11 attacks and three years after the establishment of the DHS. Despite creating a National Response Plan one year prior, the response to Katrina was considered a failure (Moynihan, 200
...9). Similarly, there was an unsuccessful response to the Deep Water Horizon oil spill five years later. Even with DHS in place, America's readiness for disasters remains inadequate. In fact, this situation is worsening with the rise of ISIS. To enhance the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security, it is necessary for the government to completely overhaul how homeland security grants are distributed. The current policies result in wasted resources without effectively promoting preparedness.
The government should give local and state authorities additional authority to improve their ability in disaster response and counterterrorism. In order to develop an effective immigration policy, the federal government should engage local and state authorities because targeting only Muslims is ineffective as terrorists can exploit anyone for their attacks. The insufficient preparedness in dealing with terrorist attacks within the U.S. is
primarily influenced by religious and racial profiling.
Despite having received significant funding, it is clear that the United States is not adequately prepared for terrorist attacks or natural disasters. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must improve its communication and collaboration with the public, as they are the ones who provide the financial resources for these endeavors. Additionally, involving the public could lead to valuable information being shared with DHS, ultimately contributing to the creation of more effective programs for disaster readiness.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for safeguarding cyberspace and preventing disasters. They ensure public education on handling such events and emphasize the significance of disaster preparedness training. However, it is clear that the United States lacks readiness for a terrorist attack.
It has been highlighted that terrorists can easily obtain firearms in the United States, regardless of their nationality or citizenship status. This was evident from the Orlando shooting incident. To improve readiness for disasters, it is crucial for the government to engage multiple stakeholders like local and state governments, fire departments, and the National Guard. Furthermore, cyber threats should be dealt with seriously and thoroughly investigated. Measures need to be implemented to impede terrorist recruitment through online platforms. Lastly, stricter gun control policies should be advocated by the government due to the inefficiency of current background check regulations.
References
- Moynihan, D. P. (2009). The response to hurricane Katrina. International Risk Governance Council. Geneva, 1-11.
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2012). Implementing 9/11 Commission recommendations: Progress report 2011 PDF file size 261 KB. Retrieved from http://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/opa/highlights-of-our-progress-implementing-9-11-commission-recommendations-progress-report-2011.pdf
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