This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Committee on the Environment and Center for Civic Leadership .
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Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 the approach to Public Safety and Emergency Management in America has changed. Since then reorganization of existing security agencies into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with its Director in a Cabinet position, has promulgated the National Response Framework (NRF) in 2008, and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in 2004. These guiding legislative acts and other subsequent imperatives are endeavors to change isolationism and secrecy that was pervasive within security and justice systems until the millennium. The fundamental principles of preparedness and scalability of response emanating from the local and even individual levels of society, described and called for within the NRF and NIMS, are cornerstones of a new attitude that is necessary in public and private sectors in order to initiate and ensure resilience by our society in advance and subsequent to critical incidents.
In a contemporary context of change, threats to America's stability are also being redefined domestically and abroad. While new foreign adversaries that defy clear definition and even allegiance predicate focus of significant security resources, other longitudinal challenges continue to demand concern for security in the form of maintaining a tenuous balance between converging pressures from economics, human need, and environmental conditions. These must be recognized as integral components to the scalable national emergency management platform that has been put in place to guide our society in avoiding, preparing, and recovering from critical incidents. As such, environmental security is inherent to effective establishment of emergency management programs.
Architects can play a unique and important role in National preparedness, response, and recovery relative to critical incidents and disasters through leadership in their practice and community. Individual and organizational circles of influence represent key components to the scalable network described in the NRF and NIMS. Awareness by architects of the intent and mechanisms of these guiding legislations will enable and focus architect's leadership in this increasingly relevant aspect of our profession.
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Ava Christie AIA
West Star, Inc.
Lenexa KS
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