Perhaps one of the greatest challenges facing the newly formed United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is building a national security infrastructure of partnerships among our armed forces; national, state, and local governments; and emergency, policing, and other organizations in the public and private sectors. Partnerships arise from a need to work together for some common good. In this case, it took the devastating events of 9/11 and congressional legislation for America to abandon its comfort zone and form a national department to oversee the security of our nation. Nevertheless, without national and international partnerships such efforts would simply be exercises in futility.
Forming partnerships is not an easy task. It requires an understanding of the relationship between all partners. It requires establishing effective lines of communication. It requires a close examination of goals and objectives and what each partner has to offer in order to create a comprehensive plan of action. It also requires a close look at partner differences to foresee possible pitfalls. But the bottom line is collectively deciding what needs to be done and determining how those goals will be accomplished. To achieve the monumental tasks of guarding our borders, airports, water and food supplies, cities, and national treasures, the DHS works closely with other government departments and agencies such as the Office of Domestic Preparedness, the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Agriculture. These government entities extend their resources to public and private institutions and ultimately, to the American people.
The main goals of the DHS are to protect America against future terrorist attacks, to reduce the country's vulnerability to attacks, and to help the nation respond and recover quickly should such attacks occur again. In achieving these objectives, state and local governments help to strengthen emergency services since they are the first to arrive on the scene of a mishap. The private sector is key to creating vaccines and other viable technological devices and systems, while the American people volunteer to aid those in need in the event of a crisis. Although each partner is different, they each play an important and distinct role in safeguarding our country against terrorism. But protecting our nation means forming other vital partnerships as well.
On the international scene, the United States (US) works closely with other countries to ensure that goods or shipments containing harmful chemicals, weapons, or even terrorists do not enter the country. A close partnership with Mexico and Canada in particular helps to protect our borders. In fact, DHS launched a new program called US-VISIT on January 5, 2004, that promises to strengthen national security while facilitating travel and trade procedures at our borders. This new system uses digital biometric (high security) technology that requires visitors with non-immigrant status to undergo a travel visa photo and finger print identification process. The photo and prints are checked biometrically whenever individuals visit our country. This way border officials can quickly access databases that contain up-to-date information on a particular subject without comprising the immigration system.
In addition, the government works with colleges and universities to ensure that international and exchange students comply with the necessary entrance regulations. In the future, America intends to place inspectors at international ports to inspect containers that are headed for our shores, particularly at the world's busiest seaports like Rotterdam (Netherlands), Antwerp (Flanders), and Le Havre (Normandy). However, not one of these efforts would be possible without viable global partnerships.
Although tragedy struck our nation on September 11, 2001, the days following signified some of the greatest displays of partnerships at work. Businesses, non-profit organizations, national and international governments, and ordinary people worked hand-in-hand to save lives and to provide first-aid and other services to help a nation recover from deliberate acts of terror. Today, these same partners are taking these measures a step further by helping the Department of Homeland Security to protect our nation against unexpected acts of aggression, and in the process, to create a solid global infrastructure that responds to this new age of terrorism.
References
H.R. 5005-8 the Homeland Security Act of 2002, One Hundred Seventh Congress, 2nd Session. (January 23, 2002).
Institute for Educational Leadership. Toolkit #1: Building effective community partnerships. Systems Improvement Training & Technical Assistance Project. Retrieved January 3, 2004.
Pew Partnership for Civic Change. (2001). In it for the long haul: Community partnerships making a difference. Publications. Retrieved January 3, 2004.
United States Department of Homeland Security. (January 5, 2004). DHS launches US-VISIT program nationwide to enhance security, facilitate travel. Press Room. Retrieved January 5, 2004.
United States Department of Homeland Security. (July 2002). The national strategy for homeland security. DHS Organization: History. Retrieved January 3, 2004.