CIAO DATE: 11/03

Civil Security: Americans and the Challenge of Homeland Security

Amanda J. Dory

The Center for Strategic and International Studies

September 2003

 

About the Book

During the Cold War, a comprehensive program of civil defense was designed to address Americans' survival concerns in relation to the threat of a massive Soviet nuclear attack. Today we need a new concept-"civil security"-that recalls the nation's experience with civil defense and updates it, addressing and enhancing the ability of Americans to recognize danger, limit damage, and recover from terrorist attacks. In so doing, we should learn from the nation's experiences, both positive and negative, with Cold War civil defense, as well as the many related aspects of coping with natural disasters and public health emergencies. Author Amanda Dory proposes a framework that links four key components needed to increase Americans' resilience before and during a terrorist attack-risk education, preparedness, warning, and protective actions. She devotes a chapter to each of these components and concludes with policy recommendations that bring more coherence to disparate post-September 11 activities and initiatives as well as increased attention to the important role the American public can and should play in homeland security.

 

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Executive Summary

1. Introduction: A Civil Security Roadmap

2. U.S. Cold War Civil Defense

3. Risk Psychology, Risk Assessment, and Risk Education

4. Preparedness

5. Public Warning: Alert and Notification

6. Protective Actions

7. Conclusion

Appendix: Civil Security Working Group Sessions

About the Author

Executive Summary (PDF format, 11 pages, 455.8 KB)