Assignment task:
Background:
We as a society, within the boundaries of the United States and its territories, are addressing a faceless global threat that we have come to know as the corona virus or COVID-19. It attacks at the heart and soul of the nation and requires a multifaceted approach with a host of parties: federal government, state governments, municipalities, private sector, and non-governmental organizations as well.
With one of the most recent threats to our homeland security let alone the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has stretched the limits of information sharing, collaboration, and coordination among the private sector (i.e. pharmaceutical industry, medical community); federal/state/local governments and agencies (i.e., Food & Drug Administration, Center for Disease Control & Prevention) and non-government organizations (NGOs). We have seen a divide in Congress as to who is in charge and who is to blame. In the end, those that suffer the most are the American public. During times of a national emergency such as this, we must come together as a nation like after 9/11 and protect our citizenry at all costs, and place politics aside.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued recommendations for jurisdictions seeking to improve collaboration with their private sector agency counterparts. The initial collaboration focused on terrorism; however, can be applied to the pandemic or any national threat.
Question:
One of the readings for this week highlighted ways to improve collaboration with the public and private sectors, of the four recommendations provided, which one recommendation is the most beneficial for collaboration between the entities and why?
Reference:
PDF - Engaging the Private Sector To Promote Homeland Security- Law Enforcement-Private Security Partnerships
PDF - A Field Guide for Engagement, Partnerships & Religious Competency
Lecture Notes:
Homeland Security Partnerships-NGOs, State, & Private Sector
In this block of instruction, we examine the role of the private sector in the protection of critical infrastructure, but organizations in the private sector can be much more than simply owners/operators of important assets. The private sector and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), such as community-based, faith-based, or national organizations, provide critical services that can assist governments during disasters. NGOs include such groups as the Salvation Army, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NOVAD) and the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross (ARC), although an NGO, is a primary provider for the delivery of the Emergency Support Function (ESF) #6 Annex- Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Temporary Housing and Human Services. These groups are not required to be in compliance with National Incident Management System (NIMS); however, they should still be integrated into areas' preparedness efforts through planning, training and exercises.
NGOs were particularly active during the response to Hurricane Katrina. In A Failure of Initiative: Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina, the importance of NGOs was emphasized: "important assistance was provided by the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, the United Way, and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster" (US House of Representatives, 2006, p. 352). The report further comments that "despite falling short of being universally present everywhere there was a need, the Red Cross and numerous other charitable organizations performed admirably and heroically in reaching the greatest number of people with impressive speed" (p. 354). It is easy to see the importance of NGOs in providing critical services that governmental entities are not able to provide.
Private entities other than NGOs may also play a critical role in response to disasters. Many of the infrastructures that citizens and first responders depend on are owned and maintained by companies within the private sector, including critical services such as telecommunications and energy infrastructure. The workers who restore these critical services are essential during the response to critical incidents. In many cases, the private sector provides specialized skills and expertise that may not be present in government agencies. Many private-sector companies partner with local response organizations to provide assistance to governments in the event of disaster. Again, it is important to work with private entities prior to their being needed.
Required Readings:
Engaging the Private Sector To Promote Homeland Security- Law Enforcement-Private Security Partnerships
A Field Guide for Engagement, Partnerships & Religious Competency: Read forward only, pages 15-19
Required Video(s):
YouTube Video: The State and Local Mission for Homeland Security - where we started, where we are headed (16:05)
YouTube Video: Including the Private Sector in Disaster Response (10:23)
Required Access:
National Network of Fusion Centers Fact Sheet