Introduction to Homeland Security: Understanding Terrorism Prevention and Emergency Management

Introduces readers to the world of homeland security and provides them with up–to–date information on recent attacks, new terrorist threats, visible terrorist organizations, current dilemmas, updated research, and best practices

This book provides comprehensive coverage of issues relating to terrorism, terrorist behavior, homeland security policies, and emergency management. It offers a foundation that spans the readily apparent chasm between the homeland security and disaster communities, and covers the stages of emergency management with a focus on terrorism prevention and response. Based on both the academic literature and practical understanding, the book includes research findings, covering theory and principles as well as their application.

Introduction to Homeland Security: Understanding Terrorism Prevention and Emergency Management, Second Edition teaches how to define homeland security, understand how it changed after 9/11, and explore its relationship with emergency management; recognize the causes of terrorism and what prompts people to engage in terrorist attacks; assess the trade–offs between security and rights, and understand how terrorism exploits the tension between these two priorities; work to prevent terrorist attacks through intelligence gathering, by promoting laws that prohibit terrorism, and by protecting borders and various sectors of society; prepare for a terrorist attack by creating an advisory council, passing ordinances, acquiring monetary resources, and establishing an EOC; effectively respond to a terrorist attack through the many functions involved, including the protection of first responders and the decontamination of the victims; recover from a terrorist attack through both short–term and long–term measures; anticipate the current challenges faced in homeland security; and comprehend the various types of attacks that might take place in the future.
The second edition:

Covers the four traditional phases of emergency response, with a focus on terrorism prevention and infrastructure protection Includes new content such as recent domestic and international terrorist attacks including the attacks in Paris and Boston Has a strong "practitioner" approach and draws upon a solid foundation of academic literature in the field Discusses the roles and responsibilities of government agencies, non–government organizations, and individual citizens

Introduction to Homeland Security is an excellent book for all scholars, students, and practitioners interested or involved in homeland security and emergency management.

Chapter 1. Understanding a New Global Priority: Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Emergency Management

1.1 Terrorism is the New Normal

1.1.1 Boston Marathon Bombing

1.1.2 San Bernardino Regional Center Shooting

1.1.3 Orlando Nightclub Shooting

1.1.4 Other Notable Attacks

1.2 A Growing Threat

1.2.1 Reasons to Anticipate More Attacks

1.3 9/11: A Wake–Up Call

1.4 The Nature of Homeland Security

1.4.1 Agreement about Homeland Security

1.5 Disciplines Involved in Homeland Security and the Emergency Management Profession

1.5.1 The Role of Emergency Management

1.5.2 Important Terminology

Chapter 2. Identifying Terrorism: Ideologically Motivated Acts of Violence and Their Relation to Disasters 

2.1 Defining Terrorism

2.2 Common Characteristics of Terrorism

2.3 Type of Terrorism

2.4 Relation of Terrorism to Other Disasters

Chapter 3. Recognizing the Causes of Terrorism: Differing Perspectives and the Role of Ideology

3.1 Frequently Mentioned Causes of Terrorism

3.1.1 Historical Grievances

3.1.2 U.S. Foreign Policy

3.1.3 Poverty

3.2 Political Causes

3.2.1 Politics

3.2.2 Political Systems

3.2.3 Political Functions

3.2.4 Political Structure

3.3 Cultural and Religious Causes

3.3.1 Cultural Dimensions of Terrorism

3.3.2 The Role of Religion in Terrorism

3.4 Ideology

3.4.1 The Nature of Ideologies

3.4.2 Ideological Dimensions of Terrorism

Chapter 4. Comprehending Terrorists and Their Behavior: Who They are and What They Do 

4.1 Terrorists and Terrorist Organizations

4.1.1 Terrorist Classification

4.2 Personal Characteristics

4.2.1 Distinct Differences

4.3 The Behavior and Tactics of Terrorists

4.3.1 Propaganda

4.3.2 Recruiting

4.3.3 Financing

4.3.4 Training

4.3.5 False Documents, Travel and Safe Haven

4.3.6 Code Words and Secret Communications

4.3.7 Planning

4.3.8 Weapons

4.3.9 Acts of Civil Disorder or Terrorisms

Chapter 5. Uncovering the Dynamic Nature of Terrorism: History of Violence and Change over Time

5.1 The Appearance of Terrorism

5.2 The Evolution of Terrorism Abroad

5.3 Terrorism and the United States

5.4 Terrorism Today

Chapter 6. Evaluating a Major Dilemma: Terrorism, the Media, and Censorship

6.1 Changes in the Media Over Time

6.2 Terrorists and the Media

6.3 The Media and Terrorism

6.4 Government and the Media

6.5 Censorship and Self–Censorships

Chapter 7. Contemplating a Quandary: Terrorism, Security, and Liberty 

7.1 War, Terrorism and Law

7.2 Security and Liberty

7.3 Cases and Considerations

Chapter 8. Preventing Terrorist Attacks: Root Causes, Law, Intelligence, Counter–Terrorism

8.1 Addressing Root Causes

8.2 Policy and Legislation

8.2.1 Laws Prior to 9/11

8.2.2 Legislation After 9/11

8.3 Intelligence

8.3.1 The Need for Intelligence

8.3.2 The Intelligence Cycle

8.3.3 Successes

8.4 Counter–Terrorism

8.4.1 Risky Operations

8.4.2 Learning from Other Nations

8.4.3 Controversy Regarding Counter–Terrorism

Chapter 9. Securing the Nation: Border Control and Sector Safety

9.1 Border Control

9.1.1 What Is the Border?

9.1.2 Our Porous Border

9.1.3 Participants Involved in Border Control

9.1.4 Measures to Secure Borders

9.2 Protecting Air Transportation

9.3 Rail Transportation Security

9.4 Protection of Sea Ports and Maritime Transportation

9.5 Protection of Petrochemical Facilities

Chapter 10. Protecting against Potential Attacks: Threat Assessment, Mitigation and Other Measures

10.1 Threat Assessment

10.1.1 Critical Infrastructure, Key Assets, and Soft Targets

10.1.2 Collaboration with Others to Identify Threats

10.1.3 Points of Consideration

10.3 Structural and Non–Structural Mitigation

10.3.1 Architectural Design and Construction

10.3.2 Zoning and Set Back Regulations

10.3.3 Other Protective Measures

Chapter 11. Preparing for the Unthinkable: Efforts to Get Ready for Terrorism

11.1 The Importance and Nature of Preparedness

11.1.1 Federal and State Initiatives

11.2 Foundations of Preparedness

11.2.1 Preparedness Councils

11.2.2 Ordinances

11.2.3 Budgets and Grants

11.2.4 Emergency Operations Centers

11.3 Planning

11.4 Other Measures

11.4.1 Training

11.4.2 Exercises

11.4.3 Community Education

Chapter 12 Responding to Attacks: Important Functions and Coordination Mechanisms

12.1 Behavior and Major Priorities

12.1.1 Initial Investigation and Apprehension

12.1.2 Safety and Security

12.1.3 Search and Rescue

12.1.4 Medical Care and Triage

12.1.5 Decontamination

12.1.6 Closing the Investigation

12.2 Other Crucial Functions

12.2.1 Warning, Intelligence and Public Information

12.2.2 Evacuation and Sheltering

12.3 Coordination Mechanisms

12.3.1 The Incident Command System

12.3.2 Strengths and Weakness of ICS

12.3.3 Utilization of Emergency Operations Centers

12.3.4 EOC Management

Chapter 13. Recovering from Impacts: Short–term and Long–term Measures

13.1 Initial Recovery Steps

13.1.1 Damage Assessment

13.1.2 Damage Assessment Concerns and Procedures

13.1.3 Declaring a Disaster and Seeking Help

13.2 Key Recovery Functions

13.2.1 Mass Fatality Management

13.2.2 Debris Management

13.2.3 Emotional Issues

13.3 The Importance of Disaster Assistance

13.3.1 Volunteer and Donation Management

13.3.2 Individual and Public Assistance

13.3.3 Novel Approaches

Chapter 14. Assessing Significant Threats: WMD and Cyberterorrism

14.1 The Future of Terrorism and WMD

14.2 Radiological Weapons

14.3 Nuclear Weapons

14.4 Biological Weapons

14.5 Chemical Weapons

14.6 Cyber Terrorism

Chapter 15. Looking toward the Future: Challenges and Opportunities

15.1 The Lessons of this Book

15.2 Accountability in Homeland Security

15.3 Clarification of Homeland Security Policy

15.4 Research Needs and Recommendations for the Future

15.4.1 Direction for Researchers

15.4.2 Guidance for Practitioners

David A. McEntire, PhD, is the Dean of the College of Health and Public Service at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He is responsible for the oversight of numerous undergraduate and graduate programs in the areas of emergency services, homeland security, national security, public service, aviation and health care. He has received several grants funded by the Natural Hazards Center, the National Science Foundation, and other sources that allowed him to conduct research in Peru, the Dominican Republic, Texas, New York, California, and Haiti.