Michaelangelo+ANNUAL+PROJECT

Michaelangelo Garcia, III June 12, 2012
 * Annual Project**

__**How Security Measures have Changed Our Society After September 11, 2001**__

The 9/11 terrorist attack has affected national security and brought about a security reformation in the nation's areas of security. The Police, Airport Security and Fire Department have become aware of the importance of having measures in place to secure the nation. Also through awareness of 9/11 the Patriot Act was established to have policies in place for the prevention of terrorism. The Patriot Act of 2001 is known as Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism. The Patriot Act also brought about a level of consciousness of “Trust but Verify” as stated by President Ronald Reagan. America considers background checks and the verification of ID as key in the battle against terrorism.

As we are all aware 9/11 was caused by individuals of the terrorist group called Al Qaeda, whose members were not U.S. citizens, and who managed to obtain legitimate identification to take pilot lessons which enabled terrorists to take over U.S. Airlines Flight 93 and 77. As one of thei aftermaths of 9/11, the Patriot Act emphasizes the importance of having the proper identification and such identification being subject to verifcation. The nation is constantly trying to avoid another attack by subjecting people to the Patriot Act. The nation has accepted criminal background checks, credit checks and citizenship checks as a way to prevent terrorism. America will keep improving security measures to protect the nation.

National Security has become a major concern as one of the aftermaths of 9/11. Airport Security has become regulated with rules of travel and luggage. Everyone is subjected to Airport Security searches whereas in the past searches were random and of suspicious nature. In present day, Airport Security treats everyone, including young children and elderly people like suspects. Flyers are subjected to body scanning, depending on the airport. Flyers have to go through machine called the Millimeter Wave Scanner which helps detect concealed items, such as weapons or illegal drugs.

Police tactics have also changed after 9/11. Police are patrolling the Subways more often and provide tight security of our political leaders. Fire Department procedures have also changed to provide better training to Fire Fighters and after 9/11 brought about the truth of how the system of communication via radio had to improve.

The fire department has change since 9/11 because it changed they way people react to firefighters and how firefighters react in emergencies. The fire department spent 1 billion on there new equipment that was destroyed on 9/11 .But if they never use half of the equipment that was purchased because of this tragedy, this will be a good thing for the fire service and the people that they will protect. Three hundred forty-three firefighters lost their lives on 9/11 and hundreds more played a part in the rescue.

Those that played in rescue efforts were found to have some type of respiratory illness amongst other health issues. Since 9/11, many have questioned the existing policy of the treatment of firefighters.It also helped firefighters gain new fleets. Now firefighters are able to pump water from the nearest water supply. They also have access to fireboats which will protect firefighters from chemicals and biological waste. They have also established decontamination units throughout the city, which have faster access to radio and video technology in case of another disaster.