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Wednesday, August 27, 2008 |
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Homeland Security Resources Emergencies & Disasters In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsibile for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation. This will entail providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort. DHS will also prioritize the important issue of citizen preparedness. Educating America's families on how best to prepare their homes for a disaster and tips for citizens on how to respond in a crisis will be given special attention. The DHS website has more information on the planing being done by our government for the prevention, response and recovery during national emergencies. [More At www.dhs.gov]
Travel & Transportation DHS has now inherited the professional workforce, programs and infrastructure of the Coast Guard, Customs Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the Transportation Security Administration. Collectively these public servants are responsible for protecting our nation's transportation systems and supervising the entry of people and goods into the United States. This is no easy task given that 730 million people travel on commercial aircraft each year and that there are now more than 700 million pieces of baggage being screened for explosives each year. Additionally, there are 11.2 million trucks and 2.2 million rail cars that cross into the US each year. Also, 7,500 foreign flagships make 51,000 calls in US ports annually. DHS is responsible for protecting the movement of international trade across US borders, maximizing the security of the international supply chain, and for engaging foreign governments and trading partners in programs designed to identify and eliminate security threats before these arrive at US ports and borders. More information on what you need to expedite your travel plans is available on the DHS website. [More At www.dhs.gov]
Immigration & Borders The responsibility for providing immigration-related services and benefits such as naturalization and work authorization were transferred from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a bureau of DHS. More information on the policies, procedures, forms, and fees involved in immigrating to the U.S. is available on the USCIS website. [More At www.uscis.gov] Investigative and enforcement responsibilities for enforcement of federal immigration laws, customs laws, and air security laws was transferred to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). More information on what ICE is doing to keep you safe is available on their website. [More At www.ice.gov] The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an organization within DHS, has assumed responsibilities for protecting our borders within the Department of Homeland Security. Learn more about what is being done to protect our borders and enforce customs laws on their website. [More At www.cbp.gov] The US-VISIT Program is set up to secure our borders and expedite the entry/exit process while enhancing the integrity of our immigration system and respecting the privacy of our visitors. [More At www.dhs.gov]
Threats & Protection The Department of Homeland Security merges under one roof the capability to anticipate, preempt and deter threats to the United States whenever possible, and the ability to respond quickly when such threats do materialize. DHS is responsible for assessing the vulnerabilities of our nation's critical infrastructure and cyber security threats and will take the lead in evaluating these vulnerabilities and coordinating with other federal, state, local, and private entities to ensure the most effective response. DHS encourages individuals and federal agencies to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity and cyber security incidents to Homeland Security. [Individuals: Report Cyber Security Incidents Here] [Federal Agencies/Departments: Report Cyber Security Incidents Here]
Safety Act As part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Congress enacted the SAFETY Act to provide “risk management” and “litigation management” protections for Sellers of qualified anti-terrorism technologies and others in the supply and distribution chain. The aim of the Act is to encourage the development and deployment of anti-terrorism technologies that will substantially enhance the protection of the nation. [More At www.safetyact.gov]
Research & Technology The Department of Homeland Security is committed to using cutting edge technologies and scientific talent in their quest to make America safer. DHS's Science & Technology directorate is tasked with researching and organizing the scientific, engineering and technological resources of the United States and leveraging these existing resources into technological tools to help protect the homeland. Universities, the private sector, and the federal laboratories will be important DHS partners in this endeavor. For information about contacting the Department to review your technical research contracting opportunity, please visit the Technical Support Working Group web site. [More At www.tswg.gov] The DHS Scholars and Fellows Program is intended to ensure a diverse and highly talented science and technology community helping achieve the DHS mission and objectives. The program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate and graduate students at accredited colleges and universities. Areas of study include: physical, biological, social and behavioral sciences including science policy, engineering, mathematics, and computer science. Refer to the website for more details, and applications for the DHS Scholars and Fellows Program. [More At www.orau.gov/dhsed]
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