Roles and Responsibilities of Homeland Security

Homeland Security
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Instructor’s Name
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Homeland Security
Roles and Responsibilities
Everyone in the United States (US) has a shared responsibility for promoting what is known as homeland security. The local, state, and federal governments, and the private sector, are responsible for promoting homeland security in one way or another. Each has roles and responsibilities which, as a collective, ensure Americans are safe from external threats. However, the federal government plays a very critical role in homeland security. Its responsibilities include providing leadership, funding, coordination, oversight, and training to others to ensure they are prepared to protect the homeland (US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 2016). Through the DHS, the federal government (DHS, n.d.):
* Preventing terrorism: This involves detecting suspicious terrorist activities to stop terrorists before they attack the US.
* Securing the US borders: This involves protecting the borders by managing the flow of people and information.
* Providing help during disasters: This involves ensuring US communities recover and remain resilient when disasters strike.
* Protecting cyberspace and critical infrastructure: This involves ensuring cyberspace is safe and resilient.
* Protecting the economy and supporting the homeland security enterprise: This comprises the tribal, local, and state governments and the private sector.
The state and local governments play a significant role in protecting critical infrastructure and coordinating emergency and protective response efforts. They also play a crucial role in the initial response through their first responders (Tulak, Kraft, & Silbaugh, 2003). The responsibilities of the state governments include (DHS, 2016):
* Enhancing coordination between the federal and local governments.
* Facilitating the uninterrupted flow of information and delivery of services to improve public security and health.
* Promoting organizational interdependencies in the protection of the homeland.
The responsibilities of the local governments include (DHS, 2016):
* The initial...