Homeland Security Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Homeland Security - Assignment Example It was upon this failure that calls for reorganizations were intensified, leading to the development of the establishment of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Act of 2006 (CRS, 2006a). As a result of this Act, FEMA became a more independent entity. The Act also provided a framework for the qualifications, roles, responsibilities, and authority of the Director of FEMA. This included having experience of not less than five years of management and executive leadership, experience in management of crises or a different relevant field. In addition, the director ought to have demonstrated the ability to manage a budget and substantial staff. However, unlike initially, the director was expected to report directly to the Secretary of the Homeland security without going through DHS officials. The Director of FEMA was also empowered to be the principal advisor to the president, the Homeland Security Secretary, and the Homeland Security Council on matters of preparedness and response (CRS, 2006b). The Skilled Trades Second Responders Act of 2007 was established to empower construction workers in disaster preparedness and responsiveness. It followed the findings of the Congress concerning the importance of such workers in the healing process after the occurrence of a disaster. According to McGuire, Lee, and Drummond, (2014), the Act was aimed at providing funds in the sum of $35 million for training, registering, certifying, and integrating construction workers into activities related to disaster preparedness and response. The process of enacting the Act was important as it allows for the management of disasters from ground zero. Construction workers have the expertise and tools necessary to assist the first responders to disaster situations in terms of carrying out demolitions, pipe and electrical maintenance, cleanup of hazardous waste and other functions that are important to the disaster recovery process (The Library of Congress, 2008).