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US Department of Homeland Security

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What is the United States Department of Homeland Security?

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a cabinet department of the United States federal government with the primary responsibilities of protecting the territory of the U.S. from terrorist attacks and responding to natural disasters.

Whereas the Department of Defense is charged with military actions abroad, the Department of Homeland Security works domestically to protect the United States within, at, and outside its borders.  The goal of the Department is Homeland Security is to prepare for, prevent, and respond to domestic emergencies, particularly terrorism.  On March 1, 2003, DHS absorbed the Immigration and Naturalization Service and assumed its duties. In doing so, it divided the enforcement and services functions into two separate and new agencies: Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Citizenship and Immigration Services. Additionally, the border enforcement functions of the INS, the U.S. Customs Service, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service were consolidated into a new agency under DHS: U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Federal Protective Service falls under Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

With more than 200,000 employees, DHS is the third largest cabinet department, after the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.  Homeland security policy is coordinated at the White House by the Homeland Security Council. Other agencies with significant homeland security responsibilities include the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Energy.

The creation of the Department of Homeland Security constituted the biggest government reorganization in American history, and the most substantial reorganization of federal agencies since the National Security Act of 1947, which placed the different military departments under a secretary of defense and created the National Security Council and Central Intelligence Agency. DHS also constitutes the most diverse merger of federal functions and responsibilities, incorporating 22 government agencies into a single organization.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Color Code Threat Advisory System

In March 2002, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Chief Tom Ridge unveiled a new color-coded threat advisory system for the United States. The idea was to create a way to convey the risk of terrorist attacks to federal, state, local authorities and the American people. The coded warning system has five levels that is associated with a suggested protective measure and will trigger specific actions by federal agencies and local law enforcement.

Green: Low Condition
Low risk of terrorist attacks. The following protective measures may be applied:

  • Refining and exercising preplanned protective measures

  • Ensuring personnel receive training on homeland security advisory system, departmental, or agency-specific protective measures

  • Regularly assessing facilities for vulnerabilities and taking
    measures to reduce them

Blue: Guarded Condition
General risk of terrorist attack. In addition to the previously outlined protective measures, the following steps may be taken:

  • Checking communications with designated emergency response or command locations

  • Reviewing and updating emergency response procedures

  • Providing the public with necessary information

Yellow: Elevated Condition
Significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined protective measures, the following steps may be taken:

  • Increasing surveillance of critical locations

  • Coordinating emergency plans with nearby jurisdictions

  • Assessing further refinement of protective measures within the context of the current threat information

  • Implementing, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans

Orange: High Condition
High risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined protective measures, the following steps may be taken:

  • Coordinating necessary security efforts with armed forces or law enforcement agencies

  • Taking additional precaution at public events

  • Preparing to work at an alternate site or with a dispersed workforce, restricting access to essential personnel only

Red: Severe Condition
Severe risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined protective measures, the following steps may be taken:

  • Assigning emergency response personnel and pre-positioning specially trained teams

  • Monitoring, redirecting or constraining transportation systems

  • Closing public and government facilities

  • Increasing or redirecting personnel to address critical emergency needs

Source: Homeland Security
 

 

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