As the 30th largest city in the United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin provides a wide variety of targets for would-be terrorists. Not only is the city a major hub for financial and manufacturing companies, it is one of the world’s most important centers for brewing alcoholic beverages. Miller, Pabst, Schlitz and Blatz once were headquartered in the city, making it a one-time global leader in beer production. This port city is also a center for transportation and commerce with many of the region’s agricultural businesses congregating within the city.
The city agency responsible for ensuring the safety of city residents and businesses is the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS). This agency is partnered with a variety of city organizations as well as the surrounding five counties to make up the Milwaukee Urban Area Security Initiative. OEMHS and its partners conduct ongoing anti-terrorism operations to disrupt potential attacks and limit vulnerabilities. Since 2004, Milwaukee has obtained almost $40 million in federal funding for equipment and training.
Terrorist Incidents in Milwaukee
Milwaukee was the site of one of the country’s most notorious terrorist incidents in 2012. Wade Michael Page opened fire at a Sikh Temple killing six victims and injuring four others, including a Milwaukee police officer. Page killed himself during the firefight with police after suffering a gunshot to the stomach. Page was an Army veteran with ties to several neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups.
Qualifications for Homeland Security Professionals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Students and professionals with experience emergency management, information technology, military operations, law enforcement, and public administration are likely to find homeland security jobs in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Many of these jobs have requirements similar to the following:
- A bachelor’s degree with significant course work in
- Terrorism studies
- International relations
- Emergency management
- Criminal justice
- Public policy
- Public health
- Two or more years of experience in homeland security programs or operations
- Experience developing and conducting homeland security training programs
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to obtain a security clearance
- Ability to effectively collaborate with homeland security officials from intelligence, military and governmental organizations
- Knowledge of federal and state homeland security policies and laws
- Superior organizational, communication and management skills
Training for Homeland Security Careers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Much of the training for first responders is provided by related agencies; police and fire personnel must complete pre-service academy training, while emergency medical technicians must graduate for approved training schools.
Training may also be acquired through state organizations like Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management (WDEM). WDEM offers training through a wide variety of exercises which include tabletop, functional and full scale simulations of terrorist response operations. WDEM also offers homeland security courses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin including
- Information on Radiation Protection WI Department of Health Services
- Radiation and Potassium Iodide
- Threat and Risk Assessment
- Mass Fatalities Incident Response
- Incident Command System