Assignment Details
Assignment Description
The Phase 1 Reading Assignment:
• Threading the Needle
• Interagency Collaboration Challenges; pgs. 1-32
The purpose of this assignment is to explore how homeland security is defined, constructed, and delivered in your local jurisdiction at a strategic level. Create a policy memo of 750-1,000 words that summarizes the major topics listed below.
Your memo should outline your research findings on the major topic areas and research questions. You may consider your local jurisdiction as a town or city, county, or state of your choice.
You are encouraged to interview local homeland security practitioners, either in person or via e-mail to complete this assignment.
Assignment Guidelines
• Address the following in 750-1,000 words:
• What jurisdiction did you choose for this assignment?
o How is homeland security defined by your jurisdiction?
Is there a written definition or strategy?
Is this document public? If not, why not?
If there is not a written definition at the local level, consider the findings of your research in the context of the definitions and environment outlined in resources provided (e.g., the National Strategy for Homeland Security).
o How does your local strategy differ from the national strategy?
How is it similar?
Are these differences appropriate?
o What is the scope of the strategy? Explain.
Does it define the key participating agencies and disciplines?
o Does the local strategy include participation by the private sector? Does it include nongovernmental organizations?
o How are the state and federal government incorporated into the strategy? Explain.
If they are not, should they be?
o Who (what agency) wrote the strategy?
o What agency provides primary HS leadership? Is there more than one?
o What are the platforms for interagency coordination of HS strategic issues (e.g., meetings, conference calls, and task forces)?
o Has the focus on HS as a metadiscipline, wavered in the years since 9/11 in your jurisdiction?
o Is the level of strategic focus on HS at the local level appropriate for the HS environment that the nation and your jurisdiction find themselves in today?
• Be sure to reference all sources using APA style.
• Compile your answers into a final Word document, and submit it to your instructor.
Please submit your assignment.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.
Reading Assignment
You can find links to the following articles in the Phase 1 Assignment Descriptions:
• Threading the Needle
• Interagency Collaboration Challenges; pgs. 1-32
Assignment Objectives
• Describe and discuss the relationships between the various agencies involved in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.