Система управления чрезвычайными ситуациями в США переходит от подготовки к конкретным угрозам к универсальному подходу

Local emergency agencies have evolved over the years, shifting from Civil Defense to Disaster Services to Emergency Management Agency (EMA) to Homeland Security, with a focus on planning for all-hazards. Following the tragedy of 9/11, President George W. Bush established the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to guide all levels of government and the private sector in effectively protecting and responding to incidents. Today, Homeland Security and EMA offices focus on a hazard agnostic approach, preparing for any emergency rather than specific types of disasters, and emphasize the importance of citizens reporting suspicious behavior through the "See Something, Say Something" campaign. GREENVILLE — Since World War II, local communities have always had an agency that has prepared its citizens for various types of emergency situations. In the 40s and 50s, it was Civil Defense with a focus on the Cold War and nuclear attack. In the 70s and 80s it was Disaster Services, and the focus on a nuclear attack faded. In the 90s, the organization became known as the Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and its focus turned to planning for all-hazards. After Sept. 11, 2001, the agency once again shifted, and the moniker Homeland Security was attached to the EMA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tragedy of 9-11 certainly played a role in shaping Homeland Security/EMA offices across Ohio and the nation. Mindy Saylor, director of the Darke County Homeland Security/EMA office, said, "Following Sept. 11, we definitely had a shift in priorities in planning and training requirements." Two short years after the infamous day, President George W. Bush established the National Incident Management System (NIMS) through Homeland Security Presidential Director 5. This became a guide for all levels of government and the private sector to work together to more effectively protect from, and respond to incidents." Saylor said, "The ability for first responders to communicate with each other across disciplines and with other outside response agencies also became a priority. Interoperability is something that is continuously worked on still in 2026." Although she was with Darke County EMA when the attacks occurred, she was fairly new to the job but noticed the approach to planning changed. She witnessed the agency moving from primarily planning for natural disasters to an all-hazard approach. But that wasn't all; the federal government increased its funding for local agencies to be better prepared. The grant funding helped the agencies identify local gaps in response and recovery capabilities. Today, Homeland Security and EMA continues to evolve. Instead of an all-hazards approach, the agency's mindset is on a hazard agnostic system. Advertisement Advertisement Saylor said, "All hazards is a self-limiting term, not an enabling one. Hazards do not encompass the entirety of the discipline's current focus, which can include special event planning and coordination, resilience building, humanitarian support, air and environmental quality, and election security, to name a few." She explained, "The hazard agnostic approach means the system or plan is not tied or limited to any specific type of danger, disaster, or threat. Instead of preparing for a single event like a flood or a cyberattack, it focuses on core functions and flexible capabilities that work for any emergency." Darke County Homeland Security/EMA continues to conduct several exercises throughout the year with various partners – private and governmental. While the scenarios vary, the focus of each is on the response and recovery rather than the cause. Rural EMAs realize that terrorism isn't limited to big cities. In fact, rural communities tend to be easier targets than large cities. "We do not have the same resources a mid-size or large city does, especially in the cyber security realm," said Saylor. She said they try to prepare for cyberattacks the best they can. They keep an eye on energy, water, healthcare, community systems, food processing facilities, and banks, to name a few. She said they are all vulnerable targets for these types of attacks. Saylor pointed to the phrase that was coined following the 9-11 attacks that remains important today, "See Something, Say Something". The campaign encourages citizens to take an active role in reporting suspicious behavior. Recent news reports have shown that citizens reporting suspicious behavior has been crucial in thwarting terroristic threats. REMEMBERING 9/11 See more stories about the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by clicking here.