Homeland Security: Defending the Nation

The Head Honcho of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security is run by Secretary Michael Chertoff. He is the second Secretary of the department and was preceded by Tom Ridge as head of the department. He was sworn in on February 15, 2005 to a department that has spent more than $14 billion over the last four years to enhance state and local law enforcement agencies' abilities to defend against and respond to terrorism.

A Short History

The Department of Homeland Security unified 22 different agencies starting in January of 2003 and became the 15th Cabinet department. The vision that governs the homeland security and Secretary Chertoff has three main goals:

• Prevent terrorist attacks within the country
• Reduce the U.S.'s vulnerability to terrorism
• Minimize and recover from attacks that do occur

Homeland Security Alerts: A Rainbow of Colors

Seriously, do you know what homeland security's yellow security advisory code means? That's okay if you don't. The American Red Cross has helped out and made a simple citizen's guide.

• Green-Low Risk. Create an emergency plan for your home and family. You may consider taking a first aid course.
• Blue-Guarded Risk. Update your disaster supplies.
• Yellow-Elevated Risk. Be more alert to suspicious activity and develop alternate routes to school and work.
• Orange-High Risk. Exercise caution when traveling and be patient with law enforcement officials at places like airports.
• Red-Severe Risk. Listen to local media for current info and be ready to evacuate if instructed.

Take Your Shot

If you want to help safeguard our country, you can look into the many homeland security and law enforcement jobs that are available. Getting a certificate or online degree in homeland security or in a specific area of the criminal justice field can get you moving towards the Department of Homeland Security. You may even occupy the top job someday and have the opportunity to lead the way against terrorism.

Sources

• Department of Homeland Security http://www.dhs.gov


• American Red Cross Citizen Guide http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/CitizenGuidanceHSAS2.pdf