Research a homeland security or emergency/disaster management issue that applies to what you have learned in the course thus far. You may use the textbook readings or course lecture materials. In a minimum of three (3) pages (about 750 typed words), students are required to:
Provide a synopsis of the State (no higher than the State level) emergency or disaster. What occurred? When? Who was involved? What parties or agencies?
Describe the impact of the event at your State level. Who was affected and how was the incident managed?
Discuss what you learned from the disaster as it relates to Homeland Security or Emergency Management to this point in the course. Remember what we have covered thus far (History of EM, Natural & Technological disasters and Risk Assessments, Mitigation, Preparedness, Communications, Response, Recovery and Terrorist Threat). Link the real world event, to the course textbook and course material.
Conclude with a critical review of the lessons learned and the actions taken at the State level to mitigate, prepare, respond and recover to the incident.
Sample Answer
Research Analysis: The 2021 Texas Power Grid Failure and the State of Emergency
I. Synopsis of the State Emergency
In February 2021, the State of Texas experienced a catastrophic infrastructure failure known as the Texas Power Grid Crisis. Triggered by Winter Storm Uri, this event was a natural disaster that transitioned rapidly into a technological disaster. From February 13 to 17, 2021, record-low temperatures swept across all 254 Texas counties, leading to a massive surge in demand for heating while simultaneously causing the mechanical failure of power generation facilities
The primary parties involved included the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). ERCOT, which manages the flow of electric power to 90% of the state’s residents, initiated forced "rolling blackouts" to prevent a total collapse of the grid. However, these blackouts became permanent for millions as the system failed to recover, leaving citizens without heat or water in sub-freezing temperatures for several days.The primary parties involved included the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). ERCOT, which manages the flow of electric power to 90% of the state’s residents, initiated forced "rolling blackouts" to prevent a total collapse of the grid. However, these blackouts became permanent for millions as the system failed to recover, leaving citizens without heat or water in sub-freezing temperatures for several days.