Frequently Asked Questions

What is "homeland defense?"
( Homeland Security Analyst John Wohlfarth)

While the concept of "defending the homeland" is an idea dating back through the better part of human history, the term "homeland defense" only recently entered the lexicon of public discourse. To the best of our knowledge, the first American use of the term homeland defense was made in a report submitted by the National Defense Panel in 1997. The report, titled Transforming Defense: National Security in the 21st Century, argued that this new focus on guarding the homeland was essential, due to the changing nature of threats against the American people. They warn: "…The proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and their delivery means will pose a serious threat to our homeland and our forces overseas. Information systems, the vital arteries of the modern political, economic, and social infrastructures, will undoubtedly be targets as well." (Transforming Defense: Executive Summary)

This document was followed by a series of additional studies, including analyses from the Hart-Rudman Commission, the Gilmore Commission and papers from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Additionally, some organizations and individuals like Congressman Ike Skelton have adopted variations of the phrase, like "Homeland Security".
But regardless of the permutations, the idea of the "homeland" has in a brief few years, become almost universally accepted by policy makers and first responders as the most direct method for discussing physical dangers to the American people and US infrastructure.

What can I do to be prepared?
(From: Dr. Theodore Prociv, President and CEO, Versar, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Chemical and Biological Matters.)

Preparation for such an event, while seemingly impossible, can be effective in reducing damage or casualties. First and foremost, an assessment must be made of the facility or installation to identify possible threatening scenarios. Then, plans must be drawn up to mitigate or reduce the threat. Finally, these plans must be implemented, through physical design change and construction, planning, process change, or other methods. Systems may be developed and put in place to detect and warn of an incident.