Homeland Security Emergency Communications Management
Semester Hours Credit: 3
Lecture Hours: 48
Location: Vicenza
Course Dates/Days/Times: 5 Jan – 25 Feb 2015/ Mondays & Wednesdays plus Friday, 23 Jan and 20 Feb / 17:30 – 20:30
Instructor: Mike Burden
Office Hours: By appointment
Instructor Email:
Phone: 324-901-5803
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Hi, my name is Mike Burden and I will be your instructor for this course. I am a twenty-one year veteran of the U.S. Army and a Military Policeman. I am married with three children two in High School and a newborn daughter.
Over my career I have served in a myriad of leadership positions from Squad Leader to Battalion Operations Officer and Installation Provost Marshal for Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) and am currently the Deputy Provost Marshal for USARAF and recently returned from Liberia where I served as the Chief of Operations for Operation United Assistance.
I earned my Bachelor’s Science degree in Criminal Justice from Mississippi Valley State University, my Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, minor in Homeland Security/Terrorism Studies from Capella University and now am in my Ph.D. program in Public Safety with a concentration in Criminal Justice.
I look forward to exploring Homeland Security Emergency Communications Management with you this semester. My office hours are appointment only by emailing me at to schedule a time for us to meet.
I. INTRODUCTION
A. This course is a study of public safety communication system interactions. Topics include political and policy basis of emergency management, technology, mitigation, and disaster recovery. Includes an overview of incident command systems, emergency management, mitigation for emergency managers, and individual and community disaster education.
B. This course is a required course in the Homeland Security – Emergency Management Associate of Applied Science Degree.
C. This course is occupationally related and serves as preparation for careers in: Homeland Security, Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, and Corrections.
D. Prerequisite(s): None
II. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, Homeland Security Emergency Communications Management the student will:
A. Demonstrate knowledge of the technologies applicable to each phase of homeland security and emergency management.
B. Know the key elements that must be in place for technology to enhance the emergency management process.
C. Understand the applications and tools available to Emergency Managers including Internet, telecommunications, networks, warning systems, radio systems, GIS software, and GPS tools.
D. Review the elements of a hazard model and demonstrate knowledge of the limitations of modeling programs.
E. Prepare a report defining a concept of operations and plan for applying a specific technology to address an assigned scenario.
III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
The instructional materials identified for this course are viewable through
http://www.ctcd.edu/im/im_main.asp
Student textbook: Technology in Emergency Management; Pine, 1st edition, Publisher-Wiley, 2006, ISBN: 9780471789734.
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A. Your first responsibility is scholarship. The grade you receive for this course will not be the grade of the instructor, but rather the grade you and you alone make.
B. You should attend class regularly and be prepared to participate in classroom discussions and to take unannounced quizzes relating to text assignments and lecture material presented from the beginning of the course. Please refer to ‘Class Attendance and Course Progress’ under the Academic Policies section in our current CTC Course Catalog: http://www.ctcd.edu/academics/catalogs/catalog-continental-international/academic-policies/.
C. You are encouraged to give your best effort throughout the course. From the beginning, you should plan for a steady, organized, and continuous effort, which in the long run will prove more effective for your final grade than a last minute crash-cram policy. Your course grade is not determined solely by exam grade. Such factors as class participation, initiative, attendance, and individual research papers or projects will be considered in grade computation.
D. From time to time, special library and/or outside assignments will be made to members of the class individually and/or in groups. You are expected to read all assignments and fulfill your responsibilities to any group assignment.
E. You are expected to read all assigned material and bring your textbook/reading materials to class. Keep informed on all assignments, especially after an absence.
F. Good class notes are indispensable for earning a good grade, since both the material assigned and that discussed in class will be the basis for examination material.
G. Scholastic Honesty: All students are required and expected to maintain the highest standards of scholastic honesty in the preparation of all coursework and during examinations. The following are considered examples of scholastic dishonesty:
Plagiarism: The taking of passages from the writing of others without giving proper credit to the sources.
Collusion: Is using another’s work as one’s own, or working together with another person in the preparation of work, unless such joint preparation is specifically approved in advance by the instructor.
Cheating: Giving or receiving information on examinations.
H. Special Work: A term paper or other project, per requirements of the instructor, will be required. The subject must be appropriate for the course material. Check with the instructor when you have made a selection. The value is indicated in the semester grade computation and has considerable weight on your final average.
V. EXAMINATIONS
A. There will be a minimum of two major examinations and a written paper or project as follows:
1. Mid-term exam on (28 Jan)
2. Term paper due on (18 Feb)
3. Final exam on (25 Feb)
B.A student must be present for all examinations. Students who know in advance that they will be absent from an examination due to valid reasons must arrange to take an early examination. Unexpected absences due to illness or extenuating circumstances will require the student to see the instructor about individual make-up work.
C.Students without excused absences will be given a zero for the missed examination.
D. Examinations will consist of both objective (true/false, multiple choice, fill in-the-blank, and matching) and subjective (short answer and essay) questions. Students must be able to communicate both orally and in written form, thus some questions requiring the composition and writing of an essay answer will be required.
VI. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
Class Participation: 100 points
Case Study/Research Paper: 300 points
Outline 50 points
Annotated Bibliography 75 points
Final Paper 175 points
Exams: 600 points
Mid-term exam 250 points
Final exam 350 points
GRADES: The maximum points for this class is 1000 points
A = 900+
B = 800 - 899
C = 700 - 799
D = 600 - 699
F = 599 - less
-Class participation points are deducted from class participation grade for each unexcused absence as well as non-credit for any in class projects or writing assignments conducted by the class during that meeting.
-Any unexcused absence the day of an exam the student will receive a zero for that exam.
-Excused absence is only excused after the absence has been coordinated with the instructor prior to the absence.
-Any unexcused absence on the day an assignment is due where that assignment isn’t turned in is late and automatically begins grading one letter grade below per week until it is submitted, not submitted or you reach an F (ie. One week late starts at a B, two weeks at a C, three weeks a D). Military assignments and other unavoidable circumstances will be evaluated case by case by the instructor upon his notification. A detailed written explanation is required and your immediate supervisor with contact information will endorse your written explanation.
VII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE INSTRUCTOR
A. Tuition refunds are made only in the case of class cancellation or official and timely withdrawal from CTC or from a course. Please refer to the current course catalog for more details, at http://europe.ctcd.edu/library/catalog.php.
B. GoArmyEd students should contact their education counselor before withdrawing and are required to withdraw through the GoArmyEd portal.
Please note: a military withdrawal does not override CTC’s grading policy.
For self-pay students, refunds are computed from the date the Application for
Withdrawal or Refund is filed with the CTC Field Representative or designated Student Services Officer. Special conditions apply to students who receive federal, state, and/or institutional financial aid.
Tuition and fees paid directly to the Institution by the Veterans Administration, Title IV (Financial Aid Programs, a sponsor, donor, or scholarship shall be refunded to the source rather than directly to the students.
C. Course Withdrawals, Student Responsibilities: It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course. The instructor cannot initiate a withdrawal based upon a student’s request. Rather, students must initiate the withdrawal with the designated Education Center Representative, through the CTC Field Representative or the Student Services Officer for that region.
Applications for Withdrawal will be accepted at any time before the completion of 75% of the course, after which time the student will be assigned an “FN”- “Failure for Non-attendance.”
D. Incomplete / Course in Progress Grade Policy: An “IP” or “Incomplete” grade may be assigned by an instructor if a student has made satisfactory progress in a course with the exception of a major quiz, final exam, or other project. The “IP” grade may also be assigned based on circumstances beyond a student’s control, such as personal illness, death in the immediate family, or military orders. Notice of absences, with supporting documentation, may be required by the instructor. The instructor makes the final decision concerning the granting of the incomplete grade. With an “Incomplete” grade, students are required to complete a set amount of work before the instructor will submit an official letter grade. This date can be determined by the instructor but must be within 45 days of the course end date. After completion of the work the instructor can then change the grade of “IP” to the appropriate letter grade. If this work is not completed by the specified date the instructor will change the grade to “F”.
E. Cellular phones, beepers, and other electronic devices will be turned off while the student is in the classroom or laboratory unless the student is using the device for class purposes. No texting or social networking is allowed during class.
F. Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course requirements.
G. Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive educational experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning environment. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
H. Case Study Analysis and Associated Research Paper 300 Possible Points: For all writing assignments students will utilize the APA 6th Edition. The minimum length of research or associated papers is four pages, not exceeding eight, excluding the cover or title page, abstract, table of contents and reference page(s). You must include a minimum of five references from substantive authoritative web sites, peer reviewed journals or articles, textbooks, or other properly published works. (Wikipedia is not an authoritative web site or reference)
VIII. COURSE OUTLINE
Note: The instructor has the right to change the course schedule. Any changes will be announced in class. If the student misses a class period and changes are announced, it is the student’s responsibility to receive the missed information from a classmate or the instructor.
A. Introduction to the class & Lesson One (Jan 5th): Technology as a Tool
1. Learning Outcomes:
a. How technology can help Emergency Managers and managers in the Homeland Security field be more effective
b. Evaluate the technology needs of a community/organization
c. Persuade key stakeholders to commit resources
2. Learning Activities:
a. Read Chapter 1
b. Assignment: Summary Questions 1-5; Review Question #3
c. Discussion Exercise:
Pick 1 city
o Burbank, CA
o Topeka, KS
o Ft. Lauderdale, FL
o NewYork City, NY
List 3 technologies that the local Emergency Manager would find useful for the city you chose and for EACH technology tell:
· For what type of disaster might the technology be used
· What need it meets (e.g. communication, provides a specific piece of information, predicts weather, etc)
· Whether it is used for planning, response, recovery, and/or mitigation
Be prepared to share your response during in class discussion, as well as submit your written response
3. Lesson Outline:
a. Technology as a homeland security/emergency management tool
b. Effective use of technology
c. Completing a Needs Assessment
d. Using ‘windows of opportunity’ and ‘focusing events’ to persuade stakeholders to commit resources
B. Lesson Two (Jan 7th & 12th): Emergency Management and the Internet
1. Learning Outcomes:
a. The value of the Internet for Homeland Security/Emergency Managers
b. Useful websites for emergency managers
c. Limitations of the Internet
d. Forums and Webcasting uses
2. Learning Activities:
a. Read Chapter 2
b. Assignment: Review Questions 1,3,4,5,8, and 11
c. Discussion Exercises:
· Applying this Chapter #2 OR #6
· Applying this Chapter #8
Be prepared to share your response during in class discussion, as well a submit your written response
3. Lesson Outline:
a. Case Study: Hurricane Katrina and the Internet
b. Value of Internet to Homeland Security and Emergency Managers
c. World Wide Web
d. Limitations of the Internet
e. Helpful websites for emergency managers
f. Uses of forums and webcasting
C. Lesson Three (Jan 14th): Networks and Communication Systems
1. Learning Outcomes:
a. Role networks play in the Emergency Management process
b. Types of networks
c. How trends affect networks
d. Capabilities, compatibilities, and standardization issues
2. Learning Activities:
a. Read Chapter 3
b. Case Study: Read the identified sections of “Texas Radio Communications Interoperability Plan”