Structure of Federal, State, and Local Intergovernmental Relations needed to create and maintain the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was established in 2002 by the Homeland Security Act, which was developed in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack that highlighted the faults in American Homeland Security. DHS integrates 22 agencies and bureaus that operate as independent organizations but together form a unified department whose main role is to protect the homeland (O’Toole & Christensen, 2012). The mission of the DHS is to lead the unified effort to secure America by protecting it from threats and hazards and ensuring safe borders.
The development of such an advanced department that is responsible for the crucial role of American security is arguably one of the most challenging organizational changes that the United States government has had to implement. The successful functioning of DHS is dependent on intergovernmental partnerships from the federal, state, and local level. The DHS works with the federal, state, and local governments in the fulfilment of various roles contributing to the security of the country such as collecting, accumulating, and managing terrorism intelligence, effectively disseminating intelligence information to the relevant parties, and eliminating infrastructural vulnerability that would limit the country’ security against terrorism among other roles.
To facilitate the involvement of the state and local governments in the DHS, Tom Ridge, the former Secretary of Homeland Security, set up the State and Local Senior Advisory Committee. The Committee is made up of 13 local and state officials who are responsible for advising the local and state leaders on matters related to homeland security (Kettl, 2003). This allows the governments on all levels to be on the same page with the DHS as a whole to enable better protection of the country’s security.
Another important factor that has enabled the successful management of the state, local and federal intergovernmental collaboration in the DHS is the funding. Since the establishment of the DHS, the budget spending on homeland security has increased significantly. The 22 agencies independently spent $13.1 billion in FY2000, which then increased to $15 billion in FY2002 when DHS was established. By 2006, the DHS spending had increased to $41 billion (O’Toole & Christensen, 2012). This funding goes towards ensuring the success of the DHS by focusing on the following main areas; strengthening the law enforcement, improving emergency preparedness and response, creating a 21st century department, leveraging technology, and managing the borders.
In summary, the DHS is one of the largest federal government departments with 22 agencies making it up. The functioning of this extended organization is dependent on the contribution of the government from the federal, state, and local levels. To facilitate this collaboration, various strategies have been put in place. For instance, there is a Local and State Senior Advisory Committee that was set up to ensure that all levels of government understand the security strategy of DHS and that they are advised accordingly to enhance homeland security. Additionally, the DHS distributes its funding across government levels and agencies to ensure that all are equipped with resources to meet the unified goal of protecting the country from threats and hazards.
References
Kettl, D. F. (2003). Contingent coordination: Practical and theoretical puzzles for homeland security. The American Review of Public Administration, 33(3), 253-277.
O’Toole, L. J., & Christensen, R. K. (2012). American intergovernmental relations: Foundations, perspectives, and issues. Cq Press.
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describing the structure of federal, state, and local intergovernmental relations needed to create and maintain the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as presented in Case Study 1
Structure of Federal, State, and Local Intergovernmental Relations needed to create and maintain the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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