Prevent Overview

There is no safe haven from acts of terrorism. Americans are no longer shielded from horrific events by two great oceans. Terrorist groups have the resources and commitment to operate with deadly accuracy within our borders. A terrorist committed to a cause, whether acting alone or in concert with an international terrorist organization, can cause mass casualties, long-term contamination and can wreak havoc to both local and State critical infrastructure.

Guided by the National Preparedness System and enabled by the Louisiana Homeland Security Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act (Louisiana Disaster Act), Louisiana has joined with our fellow States and Territories in what is now a national and international struggle. Together our efforts at home to effectively and efficiently employ available resources further enable the United States, as a Nation, to commit needed national security resources both at home and abroad.

GOHSEP is the State’s homeland security and emergency preparedness agency.

GOHSEP plays an important role in efforts that keep the homeland secure and prevent and reduce vulnerability to all-crimes/all-hazards events, including terrorism. GOHSEP develops and implements strategies for enhancing our collective response capabilities and capacity to prevent and reduce vulnerability within local and Tribal communities, State, and Nation.

However, preventing terrorism cannot be done by law enforcement (LE) and intelligence officers alone. Individual citizens and businesses, for example, play a significant part in information sharing and other actions needed to prevent imminent terrorist attacks. 

State Homeland Security Strategy (SHSS)

Using a whole community approach, GOHSEP has identified a strategic direction – State Homeland Security Strategy (SHSS) – for enhancing the capabilities and capacity needed to keep us safe. Our strategy combines partnerships, plans, and tactics. Through collaboration and supporting local, State, Federal and private sectors in an all-hazards environment, GOHSEP – with its partners – provides timely information for use in promoting public safety and national security against terrorism and other threats. 

Government has no higher purpose than to ensure the security of our people and preserve our democratic way of life.

- Louisiana Homeland Security Strategy

The SHSS identifies the State’s threats and vulnerabilities, defines critical mission areas, articulates the role of science and technology, and sets priorities for the future.

• Intelligence and Warning
• Border and Transportation Security
• Domestic Counterterrorism
• Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Key Assets
• Defending Against Catastrophic
• Emergency Preparedness and Response

The SHSS also identifies protection measures by level of threat. 

Threat

Today’s threats are simple and complex. From “lone wolf” terrorist attacks to active shooter events and hostile acts by organized international players, our communities must be knowledgeable and prepared. Weapons might be firearms, edged blades, OR chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive (CBRNE) in nature OR cyber intrusion. Tactics are ever-changing. 

National Prevention Framework

The National Prevention Framework (Framework) – one of five (5) national frameworks that address emergency and disaster preparedness, prevention, response, recovery, and mitigation – describes what the whole community — from individual community members to senior leaders in government — should do upon the discovery of intelligence or information regarding an imminent threat to the homeland in order to thwart an initial or follow-on terrorist attack. The Framework applies only to those capabilities, plans, and operations necessary to ensure the Nation is prepared to prevent an imminent act of terrorism against the U.S. and does not capture the full spectrum of the Nation’s efforts to counter-terrorism. The seven (7) prevention core capabilities are: 

• Planning
• Public information and warning
• Operational Coordination
• Forensics and attribution
• Intelligence and information sharing
• Interdiction and disruption
• Screening, search, and detection 

Collaborative Approach

From State and Federal readiness to a state response to ensuring the safety of critical infrastructure to protecting public health to citizen participation – to successfully thwart terrorism attacks take participation by a broad range of disciplines as well as participation by a vigilant public. Law enforcement (LE), intelligence, homeland security professionals, and other members of the community must form engaged partnerships.

Partnerships allow for the seamless acquisition and sharing of information. In addition to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) and Field Intelligence Groups (FIGs), as well as State and major urban area Fusion Centers, a variety of analytical and investigative efforts support the ability to identify and counter terrorist threats.

These efforts include other local, State, Tribal, Territorial, and Federal law enforcement agencies and various intelligence centers and related efforts such as High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, Regional Information Sharing Systems Centers, criminal intelligence units, real-time crime analysis centers, and others.  

However, the responsibility for prevention builds from the individual and the community to local jurisdictions; State, Tribal, Territorial, and insular area governments; and the Federal Government.

A collaborative approach helps ensure individuals, communities, governmental, private sector and nongovernmental (NGO) decision-makers have an understanding of the full spectrum of prevention activities and what each can do to ensure the Nation is prepared to prevent imminent acts of terrorism. To be successful, the whole community must engage in examining and implementing those actions and activities. 

Whole Community Approach

Like preparedness, prevention of terrorist attacks is a shared responsibility. It calls for the involvement and vigilance of everyone – not just the government. By working together, everyone helps keep our families, neighbors, communities, State, and Nation safe from harm. The whole community approach to prevention includes the participation of:

• Individuals and families, including those with access and functional needs.
• Businesses
• Faith-based and community organizations
• Nonprofit groups
• Schools and academia
• Media outlets
• All levels of government and stakeholders, including State, local, Tribal, Territorial and Federal partners