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| FACT SHEET |
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| Legal Status |
National Institute of
Homeland Security (NIHS) is a non-governmental organization (NGO)
chartered as a nonprofit organization. |
| Disclaimer |
NIHS is not affiliated with
the Department of Homeland Security or any other government agency,
federal, state or local. |
| Background |
Under the United States
Constitution, responsibility for homeland security is split between the
federal military and the state militias. The military has two
missions under the constitution, protecting our borders and power
projection beyond our borders. Within those borders, homeland
security under the Constitution is a responsibility of the militias of the
carious states. This system became dysfunctional when the state
militias were formed in to a federal structure, prior to World War I.
This is the system that remained in place until September 11th 2001
although the experience of World War II demonstrated the the system was,
in fact, dysfunctional. The creation of a Department of Homeland
Security was an attempt to correct problems that had already been well
identified. This action, although well-intentioned, was a political
response and those charged with creating the new agency were not
practitioners from within the field. Indeed, the Department's early
functioning was marked by its inability to engage qualified practitioners
to to partner with essential non-governmental organization within the
field. NIHS was created in response to the clearly identifiable need
for a national-level authoritative voice representing the
multidisciplinary, non-government practitioners involved in the study and
practice of homeland security in the United States of America. No
government - federal, state nor local, nor any combination thereof - can
meet the homeland security needs of this nation. The American People
and America's private sector - including business, industry and
non-governmental organizations - must be included at the table. This
is the role of the National Institute of
Homeland Security (NIHS). |
| Mission |
The mission of National Institute of
Homeland Security (NIHS) is to be the lead non-governmental organization
in the United States of America for the study, practice and enhancement of
homeland security. |
| Objectives |
NIHS has five objectives:
a. Be the national interface organization
between government and the private sector for all aspects of homeland
security.
b. Be the national voluntary membership association for homeland security
professionals and professionals in training.
c. Be the national board of trade for business specializing in homeland
security.
d. Be the national lead organization for study, research, education and
training in the specialized field of homeland security.
e. Be the national non-governmental clearing house for information on
homeland security. |
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prepared by the Office of
Public Affairs, National Institute of Homeland Security. |
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