Your Classroom Goals and Your Simulation Role - Terrorism and Homeland Security

You and the Class:

What is your targeted grade for this class? A, B, or C

How do you want to apply this class to your life? Is this class important to your career goals?

What do you see as the most important thing to learn from this class?

The Simulation:

At this point, we will assign roles for the simulation exercise at the end of the course.  You should research your role throughout the term, and some presentations you will make during the term will be based on your role.

You will not know the nature of the homeland security threat the exercise is built around until the simulation occurs.  At that time, you will bring the research that you have done and the plans you have made to the table, and work in conjunction with your classmates to resolve the issue.  I will create a scenario that involves the roles that you as a class have chosen.

Homeland security is based on the idea that local agencies have responsibility; “Homeland security, regardless of the definition or strategic document, is a combination of law enforcement, disaster, immigration, and terrorism issues. It is primarily the responsibility of civilian agencies at all levels” (Reese, 2012).

What I would like for you to do is to pick a role that has some interest for you at a leadership or management level in an agency with homeland security responsibilities.  You do not need to choose the highest level of responsibility. If you don’t know what you’d like to do in the simulation, let me know what your goals are in life, and I will match you up with a role.

If two people choose the same role, I will make the assignment myself and allow another choice.

The roles should be chosen that appropriate for the Austin area. 

Agencies selected can be Federal, State of Texas, Williamson County, Travis County, Hays County, City of Austin, City of Round Rock; there are also some regional associations that would be appropriate. Some private agencies such as the Red Cross may also be appropriate. My preference is that you choose a role that is functional in the homeland defense system; however, if you are in a profession that is peripheral to these kinds of situations (i.e Red Cross), playing such a role may help you understand your real life responsibilities, and will be allowed.

The following resources should help you identify a role to choose.

The National Response Framework (NRF)

http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1914-25045-1246/final_national_response_framework_20130501.pdf

Texas Homeland Security Strategic Plan 2015-2020

https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/txHomelandSecStratPlan2015-2020.pdf

The City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM)

http://www.austintexas.gov/hsem

References:

Reese, S. (2012). Defining Homeland Security: Analysis and Congressional Considerations. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.