Leadership Performance for Public Safety and Homeland Security - Term Paper Example

Leadership Performance for Public Safety and Homeland Security I.Presentation and Discussion of Academic and Anecdotal Resource Materials It was Thomas Jefferson who drafted the declaration of human rights in the US Constitution. This became recognized in the world by the United Nations. Thus, as leaders of the world in upholding human rights, Americans must be able to provide for the homeland security of its people by finding ways to protect human rights. One of those rights is the freedom to live life and to acquire properties. This can be addressed by contributing to the adequacy and stability of employment opportunities and the growth towards a higher quality of life. But the facts reveal more surprises. USA has not been performing well in this aspect of homeland security. Compared with over a hundred countries, USA has not been within the top 10 of providing economic growth. China with 1.3 billion people has been gradually improving the lives of more people in peace although under a different political system wherein there are many restrictions or strict rules to discipline the society. Although the leader is government and the people who dominate and control government, their leaders are guided by practical principles for survival in the international community, after fulfilling the strategy of first closing their doors to the world in order to strengthen themselves before negotiating with the rest of the world. As of the 21st century, according to Bernthal, P.R., et. al., (2006, p. 4), in a study of business leadership, Chinese leaders believe in “motivating others, building trust, retaining talent, and leading high-performance teams” as “the most critical skill”. This is very valuable because leadership means captivating people to act in a way desirable for the interest of the common good. In order to get them to participate in nation building, good leaders must motivate people in thoughts, words, and deeds. The people in China are guided by the values of Confucius, In the Confucian Analects, the Chinese are taught about the character of a superior person. One of those teachings states: “the superior man does not wait till he sees things, to be cautious, nor till he hears things to be apprehensive…the superior man is watchful over himself, when he is alone.” (Confucious and Legge, J. 2009, p. 384) There are many more great lessons and values honoured by the Chinese that had been taught by Confucius, a well-known philosopher whose wisdom is now bearing fruits for China. Although China has 1.3 billion people to manage, the country’s growth rates compared to the USA are as follows (See Figure 1.): The statistics were gathered by IMF and utilized by Huang, Hu et. al. (2009). Updating the growth rates further and to double check the accuracy of data, another source showed a graphical presentation which can be utilized for verification of the reported IMF growth rates. What can be seen are impressive growth rates of the Chinese. See Figures 2 & 3. The highest growth rate of USA was 5% way back in the year 2000. Since then the growth rates have been less than half the performance of China for over 10 consecutive years. As a matter of fact, the CIA’s World Factbook (2012) online estimated US growth at only 1.7% in 2011, while China’s growth rate was 9.2% in 2011. How do all these translate to leadership in home based security and public safety? Everyone knows what troubles have destabilized the American society as a result of economic problems. Demoralization spread in the streets. Home based security includes job security in order to keep families alive, educated, and capable of living in freedom. In the forthcoming advent of globalization and e-banking, e-commerce, and many other transactions online, businesses in America can be dominated by foreigners if Americans can’t do well in managing businesses while Chinese and other nationalities can. Eventually, there can be gradual loss of Figure 1. China’s Growth Rates Compared to Other Industrial Nations Figure 2. Historical Presentation of China’s Growth Performance Up to 2010 (Source: www.indexmundi.com got the figures from CIA World Factbook as of January 1, 2011) freedom and the principles that Americans are currently enjoying. This is contrary to the quest for homeland security over the maintenance of guiding principles that enable Americans to live the desired quality of lives. It can likewise be viewed from the historical graph of India that the performance in terms of an entire nation progressing towards a better life has been consistently higher (about 2 to 3 times faster) than that in the USA. But this is just one of the viewpoints of leadership in homeland security. Figure 3. Historical Performance of Growth in the USA II.Deconstruction of Current Homeland Security or Public Safety Leadership At present, much focus is given to the aspect of providing for the public safety through a government agency known as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It is the recommending group of people for the formulation of policies in public safety in the “Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) e.g. 911, E911, “interoperability of public safety communications; communications infrastructure protection and disaster response; and network security and reliabiltity.” Government has been attending to emergency measures in the event that another terrorist attack takes place or another Hurricane Katrina hits the country. Communication systems are being improved. The FCC has been regulating both the international and interstate “communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, cable in all the States. Apprentices are being trained to utilize the facilities. FCC’s target is to ensure that the government can respond effectively to the emergencies of the public by securing the communications infrastructure that allow for timely management of law enforcers and all agencies that are commissioned to serve the people in times of any type of emergency whether man-made (terroristic acts) or natural calamities. Coverage of security includes cyber security, that is, involving attacks against the networks wherein normal public services and businesses are taking place each day. According to Benton Foundation (2012), America is in need of better technologies to ensure faster response to emergencies, calamities, cyber threats. It cited that 95% of cell phone calls during the 9/11 terrorist attack had failed to reach their targeted sources of help, because the telephone system failed along with TVs and Radios. There was a similar failure to maintain communications through 911 with potential victims of Hurricane Katrina. ESRI (2008) released a White Paper recommending the GIS Technology for the purpose of accurate and getting timely information wherever a security or public safety issue might take place. GIS stands for geographic information system. Its technology aims to provide critical situation awareness analysis by enabling users to have a comprehensive understanding of real events all around, and to predict probable changes. It was said to also be capable of allowing users to visualize circumstances, emergencies, and their evolution. GIS Technology will deliver contextual computing. This means that given a situation, users, an environment, and data, a user interface would result in more meaningful output. It is said to be an enhanced intellectual process because human brains will be supported by computers capable of processing data in a way that would be difficult for the mind to quickly process in order to make accurate decisions in times of public safety and homeland security threats. Figure 5 shows the myriad of information that will be processed quickly by the computer to assist the minds of decision makers. Without the GIS Technology, it will take a long time and lots of arguments before arriving at accurate analysis of various situations. Figure 5 – GIS Technology for Emergency Situations (Source: ESRI White Paper 2008, p.3 ) III.Identification of Acceptable and Effective Professional Homeland Security or Public Safety Leadership Principles A closer look at the various priorities and activities pertaining to homeland security can be appreciated by visiting a specific State to see how the people are preparing. At Maryland, specifically “The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security”, they have identified the “Core Goals” namely, (1) Interoperable Communications, (2) Intelligence / Information sharing, (3)Explosive Device Response, (4) “Personal Protective Equipment for first Responders”, (5)Bio Surveillance, (6) Vulnerability Assessment, (7)Training and Exercises, (8) CCTV, (9)Mass Casualty Hospital Surge, (10)Planning, (11)Backup Power and Communications, (12)Transportation Security. As can be observed in the list of provisions, homeland security is defined as preparedness for disasters whether it might be man-made or natural calamities due to hurricanes. The twelve goals make the State very capable of responding to such major problems if and when they come. Benjamin Franklin once advised: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” (Independence Hall Association 2012) It was an advice to prevent fire. This is the principle behind preparations for readiness. By being ready at all times, bigger damages will be avoided. However, it can also be observed that these are all to serve the purpose of protecting lives rather than quality of lives. People have different levels of needs. In an advanced or developed country like USA, the higher needs are definitely in the minds of most citizens and residents. Americans want more than just life before and after calamities. To believe that they are stuck up with terrorism or rare hurricanes would be like saying Americans live in a state of paranoia. Leadership, in this current situation, will mean realizing the urgent priorities which would be also for the homeland security of the people on top of just preparing for an event without a definite time and date. IV.Collation of Data From Personal Leadership Self-Assessment Assignments Familiarity with the use of various communication technologies will be one of the major challenges of personal leadership in times of emergencies. The FCC is planning to utilize higher technologies for better maintenance and effectiveness of ongoing communications. Behind all the preparations, there should be an enduring willingness to learn whichever role will be in need of manpower. The attitude and values of life have yet to be mastered through ongoing studies for the purpose of realizing some of the best ways to be serviceable before, during, and after disasters. Leadership requires that initiatives should be taken. Aside from taking initiatives to learn new technologies, there are many other instances when public safety can be addressed for immediate realization of benefits. One example is in the proper disposal of hazardous materials. There is also a body of knowledge pertaining to the proper disposal of various items. University of Windsor (Donaldson, Candy et. al. 2007) has universal steps written down in its “Policies and Procedures Reference” material. The very first step is to learn how to treat those injured by providing them with the necessary first aid. There are many substances that are harmful to the human being. Each chemical requires a corresponding effective way of removal or counter-action in order to prevent loss of lives or health damage. Characteristics of such hazardous waste materials include the fact that they can be flammable whether in solid form or liquid form. Some are corrosive. Others are toxic. Thus, another important knowledge is about being able to tell when to alert people in the surroundings about the presence of toxic materials and what should be done while it is not yet disposed. In order to act like a leader, there will have to be some knowledge about how to prevent the effects from possibly poisoning people. One example was communicated online by Voice of Environment (2012), a non-profit organization since 1991. Its goal is to protect the American public’s constitutional right to have “a toxic free environment”. That organization found out through studies that fertilizers in use contained Lead which is highly toxic for the infant brain; Mercury which causes damage to the brain, kidney, fetus, learning abilities, lungs, and developmental capabilities of humans; Cadmium which is a cancer developer and also capable of destroying the kidneys as well as causing birth defect; and Dioxin which is most toxic. The can be countless database of information that should be made accessible quickly during times of emergency. Thus, improved technology like GIS will make decisions more accurate and timely, so that actions implemented can be effective anytime an emergency occurs. V.Comparison and Contrast of Self-Assessment Data: Applicability with Best Practices and Leadership Principles Lack of adequate knowledge to properly guide the public is by far the weakest part of the leadership required for the purpose of guiding people to public safety insofar as dealing with intoxicating chemicals are concerned. In being prepared for emergencies like another terrorist attack, more preparations have to be done. For example, there should be a ready list of contact organizations and persons who can be reached when emergency takes place. The ability to provide first aid will also require some practice. Otherwise, the poor victim will be aggravated by becoming an experimental patient with someone who never tried administering the type of first aid needed. It is in the aspect of readiness in the use of computer resources, social networks, search engines wherein some assistance can be properly extended, simply because there is a bright Google that can lead to the needed resources. VII. Presentation and Discussion of Future Personal Leadership Development and Opportunity To understand what activities are taking place whenever the homeland security groups have to monitor communications in radios, televisions, perhaps even telephones, cell phones, newspapers and other means of communications, some exposure with on-the-job training will surely improve leadership capabilities in those aspects of work. It is anticipated that there would have to be analytical skills exercised in order to accurately comprehend what might be going on somewhere in this world, the importance of which can have an impact in homeland security. A good starting point would be with getting into the habit of listening to news reports on cable TV in order to stay abreast with current events as they affect the USA. There are some political analysts discussing dangerous issues like racism, or hate campaign against Muslims, or the development of nuclear weapons in Iran. Those discussions will shed enlightenment about threats to homeland security. In order to intelligently discuss those issues in a fluent way, there will also be a need to practice conversing about current events affecting public safety and homeland security. One other practice worth starting is the ongoing collection of hard facts. They will be useful for a comprehensive understanding of a chain of events leading to good or bad conditions. Reading about global climate change and the unusually strong typhoons, heavy floods, and updates about the frequency of occurrence will give a sense of urgency why USA has been working hard to establish measures that will reduce the loss of lives and damage to properties in case a part of the country gets struck by calamities. Further education will be needed in order to have some mastery of the standard operating procedures particularly in providing the needed first aid for victims, and in the proper ways and means to manage deadly chemicals, or even the handling of potential bombs. One way to quickly add capability for leadership in this field as defined by the current homeland security and public safety is by compiling and organizing the knowledge-based materials needed for each of the different circumstances that can be encountered. The purpose would be for the purpose of having ready guidelines in lieu of lack of mastery or vivid memory and training. Even the assimilation of values and virtues would have to be increased. The other way is to learn right judgements by undergoing apprenticeship and discovering how experienced leaders actually handle the various emergency situations that can take place. What seems to be important for the immediate term is having the willingness and attitude to keep learning. In every available circumstance, it will also be important to practice open-mindedness and patience in serving people regardless of which emergency or public safety incident might arise. But care should be exercised because the absence of qualifications to handle the many possible situations will endanger other people aside from the self. Since there can be substantial knowledge that would have to be accumulated over the years, leadership performance starts even as further information is being gathered for improvements in capabilities. Therefore, the logical process to follow would have to be the ongoing improvements in attitude towards service for countrymen, towards persistent, organized effort to keep learning more about leadership skills from the lives of good leader, and the ongoing dedication in trying to gather facts about homeland security as well as public safety. USA has been very active in the work of law enforcement for different parts of the world. Some countries think Americans are trying to impose democracy because of political reasons. Thus, there are people who can take initiatives to oppose the unwanted neo-colonialism as some might claim it is, although the real intention is only for the purpose of demanding that human rights be respected. In Syria, for example, wherein the government is an ally of the Soviet Union, some innocent people are being abused and their rights violated in a no-contest situation. There are those who believe that Americans should intervene. People worldwide would like to see peace and order prevail before the other nations are influenced by the violence taking place in Syria. On the other hand, the other nations can consider it as acts of aggression. No one can tell, except by careful monitoring of a series of events, what might be the response from those who see the USA as a threat. Further improvements in leadership can be done by studying the pertinent policies and historical background of the sources of disagreements. For example, from the very start of this discussion, it was mentioned that there seems to be a different kind of “war” going on in the international community. And in such a “hidden war”, Americans are losing. There may not be terroristic acts or military aggression knowing that USA has the technological edge. Yet homeland security is actually threatened by the loss of jobs within the country, following years of comparatively low economic productivity in the USA. It can be due to globalization which turned out unfavourable to developed countries like USA and UK. Countries like China and India have lower cost of labor to offer. Some companies naturally tapped that advantage resulting in the loss of jobs for Americans. But all these are subject to further research. What can be seen is just the impact on homeland security, more specifically, job security which is supposed to provide for ongoing improvements in the quality of lives for families in the USA. Therefore, an additional room for improvement in leadership would be in the aspect of further investigation about the weakening of homeland security as a result of high unemployment rates, heavy indebtedness of the government, and whatever other factors have threatened security of lives and rights to properties by Americans in the USA. It should be noted that hundreds of thousands of families lost their houses and lots since the time of the latest recession. The news also keeps scaring the public that another recession is forthcoming even while millions of Americans are still jobless in spite of the presence of qualifications. The threat to security is largely psychological for people whose quest for financial freedom was shattered in recent years. But due to lack of solutions, issues are being derailed towards calamities where no one can be blamed. Future Leadership can be improved by inquiring, through research, how the current preparedness has made the Americans more secured in their effort to have stable financial conditions so as to be secured from financial debacle that has been causing insecurities among those families who lost their employment and their hopes for a bright future. This should be the other very important part of homeland security. Those gravely damaged are people in their older years. All of a sudden, their long years of experiences and educational credentials lost their value simply because there are not enough available work opportunities for all. Theoretically speaking, these Americans who have served companies for a long time are the people who should be the more qualified entrepreneurs if only their morale is not broken by the homeland insecurity. Thus, the matter for inquisition is, “What happened to the American Dream?” It has become a nightmare for millions of people, while the less qualified billions elsewhere are the people moving up. The weird issue of having higher education only to be eventually unemployed is demoralizing the American society in the sense that people are realizing less homeland security for their families after all their investments, hardwork, and experiences. Knowing the accurate answers to all these sources of leadership performance within the USA will definitely enable a capability to discover solutions for the revival of American leadership in the field of enterprise. It will also enlighten America about this kind of needed homeland security for the great majority, without negating the achievements in favor of all the preparations done to be ready for any kind of emergency. To be prepared for emergencies is obviously much better than not being prepared. However, if it does not address the pressing need of the people for homeland security in terms of their right to live a good quality of life by having a decent means of earning income, would this not be a very insensitive way of serving the interest of millions of unemployed in their effort to have their share of homeland security? A proposal to develop the responsible contention to include the plight of unemployed Americans as part of providing homeland security will definitely improve leadership performance. Rev. Robert H. Schuiller once said (1983, p.91): “Leadership is the force that selects your dreams and sets your goals. It is the force that propels your endeavours to success.” It should begin with faith in all that is right and just and truthful. When there is an emergency situation, a good leader must be prepared to overcome trials. When the truth is that there is no emergency, a good leader should not just wait and do nothing but prepare until the emergency comes. Leadership performance in homeland security and public safety should not be limited to emergency situations seen from the point of view of those without urgent problems of their own. It should in fact pronounce the spirit of service for fellowmen who are experiencing major homeland security problems like security for the quality of lives of Americans wherever they may be. References Benton Foundation (2012). An Action Plan for America: Using Technology and Innovation to Address Our Nation’s Critical Challenges. Accessed August 20, 2012. < http://benton.org/initiatives/broadband_benefits/action_plan/public_safety_and_homeland_security> Bernthal, Paul R.; Bondra, Jason; and Wang, Wei. (2012). Leadership in China: Keeping Pace With a Growing Economy. Development Dimensions International. Accessed August 18, 2012. Bhattathiri, M.P. (n.d.). Bhagavad Gita and Management. Accessed August 19, 2012. CIA (2012). The World Factbook. Accessed August 8, 2012 from . Confucius and Legge, James (2009). The Confucian Analects, the Great Learning & The Doctrine of the Mean. New York, USA: Cosimo, Inc. August 31, 2009. Donaldson, Candy; Green, James; and Busch, Chris (2007). Hazardous Materials Disposal Guide. University of Windsor: Policies and Procedures Reference. Chemical control Centre. ESRI (2008). Public Safety and Homeland Security Situational Awareness. NY, USA:ESRI White Paper Federal Communications Commission (2012). Public Safety Topics. Greatest Achievements of Mankind. Biography Online. Accessed August 19, 2012. Huang, Hsin; Hsiao, Michael; and Lin, Cheng-yi (2009). Rise of China: Beijing’s Strategies and Implications for the Asia Pacific. USA and Canada: Routledge, 2009 Schuller, Robert H. (1983). The Inspirational Writings of Robert H. Schuller. New York, USA: Inspirational Press 1986. Voice of Environment (2012). The Poisoning of america’s Farmlands: From Toxic Waste to Fertilizer to Our Food Supply. Accessed August 19, 2012 Appendix Figure 4. Historical Growth Performance in India Read More