Alabama's Response to Homeland Security By Wendi Williams, Editor

In 2003, Alabama established the first state cabinet-level homeland security department in the United States. The Alabama Department of Homeland Security (ADHS), headed by Director Jim Walker, operates in the same capacity as the nation's homeland security department created one year earlier.

ADHS coordinates security concerns with local, state, and federal officials and organizations to gather, investigate, and disseminate information on possible terrorist activities in Alabama. The department also directs activities and information distributed to first-line responders such as firemen, policemen, and emergency management technicians.

A 2002 poll conducted by The Chicago Council on Foreign Relations and the German Marshall Fund of the United States verified what most of us already know---Americans have taken a greater interest in world affairs since the events of September 11, 2001. But one disturbing fact is that although terrorism, including the threat of biological and chemical weapons, makes Americans uncomfortable, it is NOT a preoccupation. Many Americans are still more concerned with the state of the economy and have not adequately prepared their families for possible terrorist emergencies. As Alabama Governor Bob Riley stated, "Each of us has a responsibility to our family to prepare for a terrorist attack, even if it is as modest as having a plan on how to contact each other in the event of an emergency."

What should Alabamians know about homeland security?

• The state is divided into seven homeland security regions with a point of contact in all 67 counties. This information is available by visiting the Alabama Department of Homeland Security website at www.dhs.alabama.gov/ or calling 334-956-7250. When in doubt, call 911---your local police or fire departments, or the Alabama Emergency Management Agency at http://ema.alabama.gov/ema-front.asp?ID=2 or 205-280-2200.
• Familiarize yourself with the nation's color-coded security advisory system. For example, green is low risk; blue is guarded risk; yellow is elevated risk; orange is high risk; and red is severe risk. There are steps you should take for each risk level. For more information, visit the federal government's Department of Homeland Security website at www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/.
• September 2004 marked the first National Prepared Month---take advantage of the homeland security activities held in your community during this month and throughout the year.
• There's an online course, Terrorism: Awareness and Prevention, on the Alabama Homeland Security site www.homelandsecurity.alabama.gov/tap/intro.htm to help you better understand terrorism and what to do if a terrorist act occurs.
• It may be possible to obtain grant funding for emergency preparedness and response efforts in your state.
• You can order Community Disaster Education Materials prepared by the American Red Cross and other national organizations by contacting your local Red Cross office. The Red Cross still has funding available to help families directly impacted by the events of 9/11. Contact the September 11 Recovery Program at 877-746-4987, TDD 1-800-662-1220 for more information.

In the words of Bishop T. D. Jakes, "Get ready, get ready, get ready!"

Riley, Bob. (August 18, 2004). Keeping focused on the war against terrorism. State of Alabama, Office of the Governor. Retrieved September 2, 2004, from http://www.governorpress.state.al.us/pr/co-2004-08-18-war-against-terrorism.asp.

The Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, and The German Marshal Fund of the United States. (2002). A world transformed: Foreign policy attitudes of the United States public after September 11. Worldviews 2002: Key Findings. Retrieved September 2, 2004, from http://www.worldviews.org/docs/U.S.9-11v2.pdf.

United States Department of Homeland Security. (2004). Citizen guidance on the homeland security advisory system. Retrieved September 2, 2004, http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/CitizenGuidanceHSAS2.pdf.