Role of Fire Department in Homeland Security
Fire departments are starting to work with the Department of Homeland Security to look for and report signs of possible terrorist activity when they respond to emergencies. Some welcome this development, but others fear it may interfere with firefighters' rescue roles.
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Traditional Role
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Fire departments respond to "everything from forest fires to toxic chemical spills to medical emergencies," Department of Homeland (DHS) Security Chief Michael Chertoff said. The departments also conduct arson investigations.
Relationship with DHS
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The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a federal agency, supports fire departments nationwide. It falls under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which DHS manages. DHS provides billions of dollars to fire departments to help them cover operating costs.
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Emerging Role
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DHS plans to share intelligence information with fire departments to help them prepare for terrorism-related emergency calls. Firefighters will also learn "how to identify material or behavior that may indicate terrorist activities," the Associated Press reported.
Suitability
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Firefighters' experience dealing with hazardous materials and hostile behavior can help them spot suspicious activity. So can their unquestioned access to homes and businesses.
Potential Downside
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Using firefighters for on-site surveillance could violate people's civil liberties and trigger distrust in those they seek to help. In looking for evidence of wrongdoing, firefighters may misconstrue innocent but ambiguous behavior as sinister.
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References
- Department of Homeland Security: Remarks by Secretary Michael Chertoff, U.S. Department of Homeland Security at the International Association of Fire Chiefs Leadership Summit
- "Policing Terrorism Report;" Firefighters' Developing Role in Counterterrorism; Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Kyle Dabruzzi; August 2008
- MSNBC: Firefighters take on terrorism-fighting role
