1. Introduction
2. Lesson Road map
3. Vulnerabilities During Presidential Transitions
4. CRS Report to Congress
5. The National Incident Management System
6. Joint Planning
7. Why do we plan?
8. Assignments

Module 1 - Planning

Introduction to Lesson 1

We will begin the course with the planning module, which is four lessons long.  This is the first of four course modules: the others being the protection of CI/KR (we will use the phrase/term “critical infrastructure protection” and the acronym CIP); the role of the Department of Defense (DOD) in homeland security; and the future of HLD/S.

We will introduce (review for some of you) some major topics in this module, including, but not limited to: strategy formulation, homeland security presidential directives (HSPDs), and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).  In this first lesson, we will consider national security options during the Obama Administration transition period and implications for future presidential transition periods.  We will also begin our examination of Hurricane Katrina as a case study.  We will use Disaster: Hurricane Katrina and the Failure of Homeland Security by Christopher Cooper and Robert Block as the text.  If you have not purchased this book yet, please do so as soon as possible.

Following the format provided in ANGEL, please introduce yourself by creating a student homepage.  I realize you may have already done this in P ADM 401, but now I need to learn something about you…and you should also know a few things about me.  Thanks in advance for taking the time. Also, please ensure you complete the student questionnaire found in the "Welcome! Start Here!" folder.

Finally, please read the course syllabus thoroughly and post any questions in the weekly discussion forum.  Alternatively, you can send me an email.

Lesson Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Describe the benefits of planning and exercising.

2. Describe the main components and implementation requirements of the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

3. Describe one model for strategy formulation.

4. Explain the basics of the DOD Joint Planning Process.

5. Describe certain national security options, considerations, and vulnerabilities during presidential transition periods.