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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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