Essay Example on Protecting the US Homeland: The 2002 Emergency Preparedness Act

The US federal government adopted the Act in the year 2002. The Act's purpose was to oversee the prevention of natural catastrophes and human-made disasters. According to Butts (2014), climatic changes such as the rainy seasons would come along with floods as a disaster. In his journal, he describes such calamities as emergency misfortunes. President Bush signed the Act into law, which combined several bureaus and agencies to protect the US homeland. Human-made tribulations such as terrorist attacks are also governed in this law. The 2001 terrorist attack shook the federal government, which prompted for the enhancement of the US security apparatus (Butts, 2014). The Homeland security act brings together the state to work together with local governments to ensure prevention in future disasters. In cases where a disaster occurs, the Act ensures that swift measures are taken the tin response of the menace.

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The Act governs policies that regulate the borders in the US and regulations that control immigration procedures. Stakeholders such as elected leaders and city managers and departmental heads take reference from the Act whenever a calamity loom. The Homeland Security Department continuously monitors the borders of the US and their respective ports of entry. According to McCarthy (2014), security agencies in the United States work together with the Homeland Security Department to tranquilize the potential threats brought by terrorists entering the US through the port. The emerging rise of undocumented immigration into the US has subjected the country into the transportation of illicit substances into the country ("Critical issues in homeland security: a casebook," 2014). The Homeland Security Act puts a balance in ensuring that the United States is kept safe, and undue restrictions are lifted to unsure efficient trade.

The Homeland Security Act controls Human-made threats, which include nuclear bombs, chemical reactions, and domestic biological attacks. The federal government of the US poses a preparedness against such weapons for mass destruction. According to Robinson and Mallik (2015), the Homeland Security Act takes the responsibility to oversee the purchase and usage of chemical facilities. Pandemics and other widespread biological threats are also seen to escalate security threats. The prevention and control of epidemics of such a kind are treated urgent and compulsory. Referring to Robinson and Mallik (2015), White (2018), and McCarthy (2014), other nations would consider the US a safer place when security is enhanced. Commercial trade with other nations would be rendered useless and insecure. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that the best is achieved.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Homeland Security Act establishes a strong foundation for ensuring that the security of the United States' citizens is given priority. In a report done by White (2018), internal security challenges have emerged to be critical in the US. High infiltration of immigrants may pose security threats if not handled in an organized manner. The federal government's measure to tackle the possible threats individually is a plus to gaining security confidence in the country. Establishment of proper immigration rules that are set prioritize security but don't pull the plug on commerce. In support of the Act, the security of the United States is enhanced. Other laws, such as the USA Patriot Act, intelligence reforms Act, and the Transport Security Act, work hand in hand with the Act through the Homeland Security Department for maximum protection.

References

Butts, K. (2014). Environmental Security and Climate Change: A Link to Homeland Security. Journal Of Homeland Security And Emergency Management, 0(0). doi: 10.1515/jhsem-2013-0098

Critical issues in homeland security: a casebook. (2014). Choice Reviews Online, 52(02), 52-1066-52-1066. doi: 10.5860/choice.52-1066

McCarthy, M. (2014). US Department of Homeland Security is ill-prepared for a pandemic, says report. BMJ, 349(sep12 5), g5640-g5640. doi: 10.1136/bmj.g5640

Robinson, S., & Mallik, N. (2015). Varieties of Homeland Security: An Assessment of US State-level Definitions. Journal Of Homeland Security And Emergency Management, 12(1). doi: 10.1515/jhsem-2013-0084

White, R. (2018). A Theory of Homeland Security. Journal Of Homeland Security And Emergency Management, 15(1). doi: 10.1515/jhsem-2017-0059