The significance of consequence assessment applied to the risk based approach of homeland security

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to challenge the risk based approach of homeland security practice to elevate the significance of consequence during the Homeland Security risk assessment process. The consequence variable must be afforded an equal to or greater value similar to threat and vulnerability. In doing so, local homeland security policies can be focused towards consequence mitigation when planning and determining how to reduce risk within a designated jurisdiction. Today's emergency preparedness risk environment has become increasingly more severe and complex, especially at the local level. The management of that risk is a fundamental requirement of local government which is expected to identify and anticipate areas of vulnerability and set in place a cohesive strategy across all disciplines to mitigate, reduce and eliminate these risks. The problem with this expectation is that federal guidance documents have a deliberate bias toward short term objectives which undermines a local government's long term commitment to the people it serves. Local agencies must be able to respond to emergencies in a way that minimizes the number of casualties or injuries during an incident that threatens members of their community and maintains services until the situation returns to normal.