Homeland Security -- Where Do I Fit In?

The National Strategy for Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Act of 2002 officially created the Department of Homeland Security served primarily to provide a unifying core for the national network of organizations and institutions involved in efforts to secure the nation.

There are 180,000 DHS men and women who work every day in this important area of the United States government. Beyond the important work these trained employees do, the success of DHS relies on the everyday American responding when his or her country needs help the most.

Vision

Preserving our freedoms, protecting America ... we secure our homeland.

Mission

We will lead the unified national effort to secure America. We will prevent and deter terrorist attacks and protect against and respond to threats and hazards to the nation. We will ensure safe and secure borders, welcome lawful immigrants and visitors, and promote the free-flow of commerce.

Strategic Goals

• Awareness -- Identify and understand threats, assess vulnerabilities, determine potential impacts and disseminate timely information to our homeland security partners and the American public.
• Prevention -- Detect, deter and mitigate threats to our homeland.
• Protection -- Safeguard our people and their freedoms, critical infrastructure, property and the economy of our Nation from acts of terrorism, natural disasters, or other emergencies.
• Response -- Lead, manage and coordinate the national response to acts of terrorism, natural disasters, or other emergencies.
• Recovery -- Lead national, state, local and private sector efforts to restore services and rebuild communities after acts of terrorism, natural disasters, or other emergencies.
• Service -- Serve the public effectively by facilitating lawful trade, travel, and immigration.
• Organizational Excellence -- Value our most important resource, our people. Create a culture that promotes a common identity, innovation, mutual respect, accountability and teamwork to achieve efficiencies, effectiveness, and operational synergies.