Select A Major Event That Occurred In The Last 100 Years ✓ Solved

Select a major event that occurred during the last 100 years

Essay Assignment: Select a major event that occurred during the last 100 years and that resulted in a major loss of life. The event may have been a fire, civil unrest or rioting, natural disaster, terrorism, or any number of other kinds of events. Describe in an eight- to ten-page paper what happened and any significant contributing factors. Discuss the impact of the event on the field of public safety and how it influenced the development of codes, practices, beliefs, and research.

Paper For Above Instructions

The history of the 20th century is marked by numerous tragic events that led to significant loss of life, shaping the field of public safety profoundly. One such event is the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, a day that catalyzed major changes in national security protocols, emergency response strategies, and public safety policies worldwide. This essay articulates what transpired on that day, its significant contributing factors, and its profound effects on public safety and emergency management practices.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with the extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes. Two of these planes were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, resulting in the towers' collapse and the death of nearly 3,000 individuals. The third plane targeted the Pentagon, the US Department of Defense headquarters, resulting in devastating losses both in lives and operational capabilities. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was headed towards a target in Washington, D.C. However, due to the brave actions of passengers who attempted to overcome the hijackers, it crashed in a field in Pennsylvania, preventing further massacre (National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, 2004).

Various contributing factors led to these tragic events, including geopolitical tensions, the rise of extremist ideologies, and failures in intelligence. The growing enmity between al-Qaeda and the United States was rooted in US foreign policies in the Middle East, particularly its support for Israel and the presence of American troops in Saudi Arabia, which Osama bin Laden perceived as an affront to Muslim sovereignty (Laden et al., 2001; Zawahiri, 2001). The attacks revealed critical security lapses within US aviation and intelligence agencies, which failed to communicate vital information regarding the hijackers and their plans effectively (Zegart, 2007).

The impact of the September 11 attacks on the field of public safety and emergency management was instantaneous and transformative. In the aftermath, the United States government enacted several pieces of legislation focused on enhancing national security, most notably the USA PATRIOT Act, which expanded the authority of law enforcement agencies in surveillance and information gathering (Kahn, 2006). Furthermore, the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) illustrates a significant structural change aimed at coordinating and improving responses to threats and emergencies (Flaherty, 2006).

Public safety practices witnessed a seismic shift post-9/11, particularly in emergency preparedness and response protocols. The event specifically highlighted the need for comprehensive emergency response systems, integral training for first responders, and a coherent incident command structure. The lessons learned from 9/11 fostered the development of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the National Response Framework, which provided guidelines for various public safety entities on how to collaborate effectively during emergencies (FEMA, 2008).

Structural and operational changes were not confined to the United States. Globally, nations re-evaluated their public safety policies in light of the vulnerability exposed by the attacks. The concept of "homeland security" became prominent worldwide, with countries enhancing their intelligence sharing, airport security, and safety protocols (McHugh, 2011). The creation of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) as well as the increase in resources allocated towards disaster response and preparedness trainings represented a broader acknowledgment of the need for improved public safety frameworks internationally (IAEM, 2010).

Moreover, the societal impact of the September 11 attacks led to shifting beliefs regarding safety in public spaces. The pervasive influence of fear and heightened awareness about terrorism reshaped public perceptions of safety. In response to the trauma and uncertainty experienced post-9/11, there was a significant rise in community-based safety initiatives and resilience programming aimed at empowering citizens to engage actively in public safety efforts (Hoffman, 2013). By promoting practices that instill preparedness and response capabilities at the community level, public safety organizations began fostering a culture of safety and vigilance.

Ultimately, the September 11 attacks served as a catalyst for extensive changes in public safety laws, practices, and beliefs. The tragic event underscored the importance of proactive risk management, robust collaboration among government agencies, and the need for comprehensive training programs for first responders. Today, as we navigate an evolved landscape marked by terrorism and natural disasters, it is imperative that lessons learned from 9/11 continue to inform our approach to public safety and emergency management strategies.

References

  • Flaherty, J. (2006). Homeland Security: The New National Security Strategy. Washington: SAGE Publications.
  • FEMA. (2008). National Response Framework. Washington: Federal Emergency Management Agency.
  • Hoffman, B. (2013). Inside Terrorism. New York: Columbia University Press.
  • IAEM. (2010). International Association of Emergency Managers. Retrieved from https://www.iaem.org
  • Kahn, L. (2006). The USA PATRIOT Act: Impact on Civil Liberties. American Civil Liberties Union.
  • Laden, O. B., et al. (2001). Declaration of War Against the Americans Occupying the Land of the Two Holy Places. Al-Qaeda.
  • McHugh, J. (2011). Global Cooperation on Homeland Security. International Journal of Military Studies, 82(3), 12-24.
  • National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. (2004). The 9/11 Commission Report. Washington: United States Government Printing Office.
  • Zawahiri, A. (2001). Knights Under the Banner of the Prophet. Al-Qaeda.
  • Zegart, A. (2007). Spinning the Intelligence Failure: The 9/11 Commission’s Report. Washington: Brookings Institution Press.

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