A flatbed truck with four 55-gallon barrels of explosive ANFO (ammonium nitrate and fuel oil) strapped against the bulkhead is racing toward the front gate of the city’s water department—the intent is to crash through gated barriers and detonate the explosives to cripple as much of the water delivery infrastructure as possible. 

If the local government and water managers had anticipated this possibility, the attack would be foiled at the front entrance by a barrier that looks like a standard wrought iron gate, but is really a shield capable of withstanding the direct impact of a large truck traveling 40 mph.

From new technologies for “perimeter control,” to how local governments are training responders and changing the mindset of public safety agencies, from common themes in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, to strategies for leaders on crisis communications, the ICMA’s just-published book, Homeland Security: Best Practices for Local Government, 2nd Edition, reflects the changes, best practices, lessons learned, and future challenges in the new, dynamic and ever-changing field of homeland security.

Click here to read an excerpt.

Local governments are responsible for preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. They are, along with local citizens, the front-line of any type of emergency or disaster that hits a community.