Effectiveness of the Department of Homeland Security Research Paper

Effectiveness of the Department of Homeland Security - Research Paper ExampleReflecting on what happened on that fateful twenty-four hour period one is left wondering how it happened and where the security agents were at the time. However, what is clear is that the intelligence agencies failight-emitting diode in their mandate to protect the country from such(prenominal) catastrophes. A reflection of the incidence show the Pentagon being raced down by planes hijacked by terrorists. In fact, some(prenominal) people were taken aback by the incident including the security agents. Therefore, to prevent such attacks in the future and to ensure that America becomes a secure country to live in and do business, George Walker Bush, undertook a proactive move that led to the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security. The move to establish the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was informed by the need to protect the U.S. against terrorism, according to Ball (2005). DHS had 22 d ifferent national agencies charge with different roles aimed at ensuring that the country is rubberguarded from terrorist threats. The fact that DHS had 22 different federal departments made it the third largest Federal department in the country. An overview of the Department of Homeland Securitys responsibilities in prevention and emergency retort The responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security as far as prevention and emergency response are concerned are four folds. The first major responsibility of DHS is safeguarding the United States by preventing terrorism and enhancing national security (Charvat, 2012). According to Charvat (2012), safeguarding the U.S. and its citizens from terrorism was the alkali for its formation, following the 9/11 incident. The 9/11 incident exposed the countrys vulnerability to terrorism of whatever kind. Therefore, in response to the incident, the whence president, George Walker Bush found it necessary to form an independent departmen t responsible for safeguarding the country from terrorist threats. It is reported that DHS works in collaboration with other federal Departments and agencies to ensure that the country remain safe and secure to live in and do business. In fulfilling its mandate of safeguarding the country against terrorism, DHS also focuses on the prevention of illegitimate importation, acquisition, or use of nuclear, biological, and chemical materials and capabilities within the countrys borders. In addition, DHS focuses on reducing vulnerability of key leadership, crucial infrastructure, and events to terrorist attacks and other catastrophes (Ball, 2005). Indeed many agree that the safety of the United States have increased tremendously since the formation of the Department of Homeland Security. So far, the country has not suffered a major incidence of terrorism (Charvat, 2012). In addition, with the help of the DHS, the President Obama administration have been able to kill Osama, the mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. However, this is not to say that the U.S. is absolutely safe from terrorism. This is because the country recently witnessed an incident of terrorism during the Boston marathon, which left some people dead and scores injured. The incidence show that the DHS still needs to do more to safeguard the country and citizens from terrorism.