Homeland Security and Justice Administration

Homeland Security and Justice Administration

In this paper, we are going to be studying the impact of the relationship between: an emergency operations plan (EOP) with a real time incident action plan (IAP). This will be accomplished by focusing on: the strategies that can be used by first responders and the relationship between an EOP in comparison with an IAP. Once this takes place, is when we provide specific insights as to how these areas can address the challenges that are impacting different stakeholders.

Over the last several years, the issue of first responders in dealing with terrorist related events has been increasingly brought to the forefront. This is because they are expected to go into areas where they may have to save lives. Yet, they are also must preserve evidence and protect any kind of possible crime scene. This is illustrating the constant amounts of planning and training that must occur to achieve the different objectives. To fully understand how this is taking place requires looking at: strategies that can be used by first responders and the relationship between an emergency operations plan (EOP) in contrast with a real time incident action plan (IAP). Together, these different elements will highlight the underlying challenges that first responders will face and how they can effectively address these issues. (Roy, 2004, pg. 384)

What guidance would you give to government first responders when called upon to reconcile competing and mutually exclusive responsibilities amidst the chaos of a disaster or terror strike? What principles might guide their decisions? What precautions might they take to minimize risk?

The best advice that can be provided is to have the government create a workable strategy that will deal with a host of contingencies. During this process, there will be effective coordination and training for a number of possible situations that may be dealt with. In the aftermath of a disaster or terrorist attack, this will help to direct first responders and critical resources to locations where they are needed the most. Once this takes place, is when they will be able to control the scene and mitigate any kind of collateral damage.

However, at the same time there must be an emphasis on having flexibility. This is because the situation on the ground is continually evolving. When this happens, officials must be able to deal with a host of issues simultaneously. Those plans are more flexible, can use this basic strategy and their training to adapt with any kind of new threats. This is the point that they will be able to effectively mitigate them over the long-term. (Bennett, 2010, pp. 2 -- 11)

There are a number of different principles that will guide the decisions of government officials. The most notable include: the ability to save lives, protect property owners / the interest of businesses, maintaining law / order, moving those killed away from the area, searching for survivors and preventing the public from interfering with the crime scene. This is illustrating how all first responders must take into account a number of issues when determining the best way to respond to particular situations. (Bennett, 2010, pp. 2 -- 11)

The precautions that can reduce risks are to have regular amounts of training and coordination. This will help everyone to understand the strategy and what they can do to adjust with possible contingencies. Moreover, the public must be made aware of what they can do to protect themselves. If this kind of approach is taken, it will create a sense of vigilance among different stakeholders. This is when any kind of risks can be effectively reduced from: proper planning, coordination and communication. (Bennett, 2010, pp. 2 -- 11)

What is the relationship between an emergency operations plan (EOP) and a real-time incident action plan (IAP)? What are the differences between the two? Why it is important that planning is anchored by a comprehensive EOP?

An emergency operations plan (EOP) is focused on creating a basic strategy that first responders, government / business officials, community leaders, nonprofit entities and the general public can follow (in the event of natural or man-made disaster). The incident action plan (IAP) is discussing specific step that first responders, government officials and private entities will use when dealing with an actual disaster. During this process, is when different stakeholders will practice and prepare for the using this plan on short notice. The relationship between the two; is the EOP is providing a foundation for dealing with a host of contingencies. The IAP is taking these concepts and they are applying them to specific situations such as a terrorist attack. ("Emergency Operations Plan," 2011) ("FEMA Incident Action Planning Guide," 2012)

The difference between the two is the EOP is offering general advice that can be used to create a blue print for an IAP. The IAP is when everyone is looking at an event and asking what steps can be taken to reduce risks. Once this occurs, is the point that they will create workable strategies which are addressing specific threats in the future. ("Emergency Operations Plan," 2011) ("FEMA Incident Action Planning Guide," 2012)

As a result, any kind of planning must be anchored by a comprehensive EOP. This is because the strategy will focus on: the role of different parties and specific steps for dealing with emergencies. When this happens, everyone will understand what they can do to prepare for these kinds of situations. At the same time, this will create a certain amount of vigilance among ordinary citizens. This strategy will inform them, about what kinds of suspicious activities to be on the lookout for. Once this takes place, is when the underlying risks will decrease by having a way of understanding and dealing with possible threats. ("Emergency Operations Plan," 2011) ("FEMA Incident Action Planning Guide," 2012)

Conclusion

Clearly, effective EOP and IAP will reduce the risks of further collateral damage in aftermath of natural or man-made disasters. This is because it will focus on how to limit collateral damage and address the current challenges. In the future, this is preparing everyone for dealing with a host of contingencies (which reduces the risks and increases the total amounts of vigilance).

Part 2

Preston, J. (2009). The Closing of the American Border. Foreign Affairs. Retrieved from: http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/63648/julia-preston/the-closing-of-the-american-border-terrorism-immigration-and-sec

The article that is written by Preston (2009), is discussing how the Justice Department was using immigration violations for arresting and detaining a number of people. This was in response to the 911 attacks and the lack of available intelligence. To be able to obtain the information that was required, law enforcement held many suspects for months. This is against the basic criminal procedures granted to suspects. However, given the seriousness of the situation, it is clear that these practices were designed to protect the general public. This has made it more difficult for terrorist and honest immigrants to enter the country. As a result, Preston believes that some kind of approach should be used that will focus on the specific aspects of the problem vs. taking a broader strategy. The way that this is related to the readings, is to demonstrate the tools that are used by Homeland Security in dealing with the threat of terrorism. (Preston, 2009)