Chapter I contains a report to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, laying out the need to increase and enhance security measures for the nation‘s infrastructures, in this case, seaport security. This gives a broader view on how government agencies of all levels must sustain healthy relationships with private stakeholders and international organizations. As the world becomes smaller with technology, we have to become mindful of how one act of terrorism could be detrimental to not only America but to the global economy.

In the past two decades, the United States and its citizens have experienced several natural and man-made (terrorist) disasters. Devastating in their own right, each disaster has led members of society to question the capability of local, state, and federal officials. The economic climate in the United States has placed emergency management efforts and the progress made over the past few years in jeopardy. Significant budget cuts and limited funding provide many challenges to continue the progress in making communities safe, less vulnerable, and resilient in regards to disasters and catastrophic emergencies. This thesis proposes the use of increased collaborative arrangements, greater accountability, and the use of performance measures as ways to achieve greater efficiency to maximize emergency management efforts under budget constraints.

A better understanding of emergency plans and the effect it has had on varying levels of society will enable civic leaders an opportunity to improve existing emergency plans and reduce the potential for loss of life. Preparing civilians has more impact on the psychological well-being of the nation than being rescued by emergency services; and preparing civilian‘s increases community resiliency at a faster rate than preparing response personnel.

The following research has been organized into a unified strategic plan for the continuity of operations for Mamaroneck Emergency Medical Services (MEMS). This plan is formatted to better prepare MEMS for unfamiliar situations and enhance our response and resiliency if ever faced with a catastrophic event. Although it is a starting point, this document produces optimism that MEMS will be able to build their operation into a prototype for other EMS agencies in surrounding jurisdictions.

I have dedicated my career to the protection and service of the community and for the last six years, I have trained, prepared and molded the law enforcement profession through training new and seasoned police and peace officers in and around Westchester County, New York. Terrorism is not limited to a single country or region of the world. It needs to be confronted, stopped, investigated, fought and prevented on a global scale, because if a terrorist(s) succeeds anywhere in the world, it is a failure for us all.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing."

Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

The following project will explore the many facets connected to making a resilient society. My area of expertise within the emergency services management gives me the unique perspective as a first responder.

Putnam County does not have a full time ambulance / fire corp. so it relies on the volunteers and some paid employees to service the county. Reducing response times for ambulances in Putnam County was explored to provide more efficient aid and transport on the scene. There are recommendations for the county in how to achieve this goal.

Leadership is of the utmost important to get the most service out of your staff. A manager who uses the strengths of his people to move the agenda forward is essential. The top-down management style of the past does not work when you are trying to create collaborative with others to reach your goals.

We evaluated the Mahopac Ambulance Corp. and exploring what things that are in place will work and recommendations for future growth. All the while we are cognizant of the Constitutional issues that arise in emergency services area.

As we explored various scenarios that could be perpetrated upon us, we looked for ways to cut time and budget to efficiently garner the best possible. Emergency Medical Services is one part of the overall plan to keep us safe and to mitigate the losses in any incident. We are constantly planning, evaluating and adjusting our strategies to achieve the best results. No longer can we merely look at ourselves as a local entity but we must see ourselves as global citizens who are affected by incidents that occur worldwide. Partnering with the private and public sectors will strengthen our approach to implement our mission to provide superior care to our community stakeholders.

This Project will introduce the Homeland Security Officer position; its responsibilities and justifications. Various chapters will examine the position through the prisms of Management, Public Sector Policy Analysis, Multi-disciplinary Collaboration, and Public Health Emergencies. Two Strategic Plans are included: one for the Police Department of Pleasantville, New York, and a second for Terrorist Threats associated with living and / or working as an American in Germany. Specific threats to Pleasantville are also considered. A Threat Assessment of an attack similar to the one on Mumbai in 2008; and a Model Based Vulnerability Analysis (MBVA) of the Critical Infrastructure of the Drinking Water supply. Finally, there are some larger issues considered: Constitutional Issues in Homeland Security and International Human Rights Concerns for America.