Disaster Response and Recovery

This assignment allows you to demonstrate your understanding of how a hypothetical natural disaster might impact homeland security. We shall make use of a fictional event in order to examine this issue, specifically with regard to an often overlooked but potentially catastrophic natural disaster impacting a critical component of homeland security: the national electrical power grid. By examining this system and its interrelation to the myriad systems that rely on this grid (even on a regional level), we have an opportunity to provide a creative but informed disaster response plan for a realistic potential homeland security issue created by a natural disaster.

The scenario is as follows:

A major, ongoing winter storm system occurring along the Eastern Seaboard (specifically, from Maine to Virginia) has, as of yesterday, knocked out the electrical grids supplying power to large sections of the region, with no current estimates as to when the electrical grids will be repaired and functional. This has caused the shutdown of the majority of national and international airports, halted traffic in major seaports, and hindered the flow of much-needed supplies and rescue personnel via snow-covered roadways. Communications have also been impacted with widespread outages of cellular phone service and internet accessibility. This disaster occurred approximately 24 hours ago, and some repairs are underway; however, reports indicate the damage to the power grid is extensive and not yet fully assessed.

Case Assignment
For your Case Study, you are expected to:

Briefly outline a simple emergency response plan for the loss of the electrical power grid along the Eastern Seaboard. This plan should include only the resources available to DHS and its state offices.

Properly cite the quotations you use to support your statements. For more information, please consult the OWL: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

Assignment Expectations
In addition to the Assignment Expectations provided in detail in Module 1 (Relevance, Precision, Depth, etc.), you will be expected to demonstrate your knowledge of DHS and its state offices when confronted with a major natural disaster, specifically in regard to disaster response and recovery.

Module 1 instructions:
Assignments should be at least three full pages double-spaced, not counting the cover or reference page. Paper format: (a) Cover page, (b) Header, (c) Body. Submit your assignment by the last day of this module.

Relevance—All content is connected to the question.
Precision—Specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate.
Depth of discussion—Present and integrate points that lead to deeper issues.
Breadth—Multiple perspectives and references, multiple issues/factors considered.
Evidence—Points are well-supported with facts, statistics, and references.
Logic—Presented discussion makes sense; conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information.
Clarity—Writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples.
Objectivity—Avoids use of first person and subjective bias.
References—Sources are listed at the end of the paper.