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Colin Olson
TuesdayJul 2 at 5:11am
Class,
First and foremost, I want to say th

Colin Olson
TuesdayJul 2 at 5:11am
Class,
First and foremost, I want to say that Dr. Cole’s biography is highly impressive. After reading his, I feel like mine is a bit mundane. I currently live in Utah with my wife and son. I am originally from Wisconsin and enlisted in the Air Force right out of high school. I have served just over 18 years and am incredibly thankful for all the opportunities it has provided for my family and me. I have completed six combat deployments and countless other trips. Now, at the end of my career, I am focusing on finishing my bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. With this degree, I hope to continue working at the federal or state level, though I haven’t decided yet. Ultimately, it will depend on career opportunities and where I fit best.
I have a passion for a dynamic workplace and problem-solving, whether under pressure or as a team leader or member. I believe that the pace and strategic thinking required in Emergency Management are well suited to my strengths. Taking this class will better equip me with the moral framework and critical thinking skills necessary to navigate complex ethical dilemmas while ensuring that security measures respect individual rights and uphold the values of the organization.
The Moral Sense Test was very uncomfortable to take. I was not a fan, and halfway through, I considered not completing it as I felt morally opposed to even answering such grotesque questions. In the end, though, I scored a 4 out of 7 and was right in line with the median and largest group (500) by the whole population, dead center by religion of none, and at the peak by gender, so all very average and common, if you will. Landing me right between deontological and rational utilitarianism (UAGC, n.d.).
The core values of the Department of Homeland Security align with my own core values (DHS, 2021). Integrity and respect, in my opinion, are two of the most important values one can possess. If you were to ask my son, he would tell you that I am always echoing that through integrity, all other core values will align because when you exercise integrity, you not only treat people with respect but are often also rewarded with respect. As far as vigilance is concerned, it is in me as a man who is willing and able to defend this great nation and those around me (DHS, 2021).
As a person deeply committed to community and national security, I embody the guiding principles of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in my personal and professional life (DHS, 2019). I believe in championing “relentless resilience,” which aligns with my proactive nature and dedication to preparing for and mitigating risks (DHS, 2019). I also focus on promoting citizen engagement and fostering trusted partnerships through volunteer work and community involvement (DHS, 2019). Upholding privacy, transparency, civil rights, and civil liberties is integral to who I am, ensuring that my actions respect and protect the fundamental rights of all individuals with whom I engage (DHS, 2019).
References
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2019, July 3). Guiding principles. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/guiding-principles
Genevieve Noffsinger
TuesdayJul 2 at 7:32pm
Hello,
My name is Genevieve Noffsinger, I go by Charlie. I’m a fire fighter/paramedic and am actually in the process of getting my critical care certifications. I’m taking this class because I’m trying to get my bachelor’s degree and I would eventually like to work for FEMA. As a paramedic I have done triage for car accident’s and injuries involving more than one person. I’ve been apart of fire ground operations as well and I think I’d be really good at being an incident commander if given the opportunities and once I’ve gotten experience. My Moral Sense Test placed me at a 5 my test results were higher than the whole population, gender, and every religion, even though I identify as Christian.
I think vigilance and respect are the two core values of Homeland Security that align most well with my values according to this survey. “As a Department, we will be constantly on guard against threats, hazards, or dangers that threaten our values and our way of life,” (DHS, 2021). This was listed under vigilance and as someone who works at minimum 81 hours a week in EMS, I find myself regularly scanning areas that I’m in. Whether it’s a grocery store, a venue, or walking down the street, I’m always aware of my surroundings and who is in them especially when I have my son or young children with me.
I think this works well with the principle of the DHS to “Reduce the Nation’s Risk to Homeland Security Dangers DHS will mitigate risks to the Homeland by interdicting threats, hardening assets to eliminate vulnerabilities, and enhancing rapid recovery efforts to reduce potential consequences from physical attacks, natural disasters, and cyber incidents,” (Memo, 2021). This principle and the core value of vigilance go hand in hand to make sure that we are ready for anything, at all times. Which is how I have tried to live my life. It has come in handy more than once. COVID specifically showed this planning ahead policy of mine to pay off when my family didn’t run out of toilet paper during that time and I wasn’t one of the people that hoarded it because that’s not right in my opinion.
I got a 5 on my test because a lot of the questions while very serious seemed to be cut and dry. While it’s probably the right thing to kill one person that’s going to die anyways to save people, it doesn’t make that choice or action an easy one to actually perform and then live with. It’s easier to say yeah I’d do that than actually do it.
References
Mayorkas, A. (2021, October 26). Memo from Secretary Mayorkas on ethical conduct: The bedrock of our service. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/employee-resources/blog/2021/1…
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2021, November 3). Core values. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/core-values
Quentin Bruner
FridayJul 5 at 11:01pm
A conflict of interest with gift giving occurs when gifts, favors, or other incentives offered to a professional might influence their decision-making process, compromising their impartiality and professionalism. Such conflicts can arise in various scenarios. For example, an employee might receive a valuable gift from a vendor or client, creating a sense of obligation to reciprocate with favorable treatment or decisions. This situation becomes particularly problematic during critical decision-making periods, such as contract awards or regulatory approvals, when gifts can unduly influence the recipient’s choices. Frequent or extravagant gifts can also lead to a sense of indebtedness, affecting the recipient’s objectivity and ability to make unbiased decisions.
These conflicts of interest can significantly influence professionalism and the unbiased fulfillment of responsibilities. The recipient might feel compelled to make decisions that favor the gift giver, compromising their professional judgment and the interests of the organization. This behavior casts doubt on the recipient’s integrity, suggesting that decisions may be influenced by personal gain rather than merit or ethical considerations. Over time, the acceptance of gifts can lead to a gradual erosion of ethical standards within an organization, as others may follow suit or perceive it as acceptable behavior. Furthermore, when decisions are influenced by gifts, it becomes difficult to hold individuals accountable for their actions, as their motivations are compromised.
The impact of real and perceived violations of public trust due to gift-giving conflicts of interest is profound. Such conflicts can erode public trust in the integrity and fairness of an organization or individual, leading to significant reputational damage. This mistrust can spread, affecting the reputation of the entire organization and resulting in the loss of business, partnerships, and opportunities. Legal and financial consequences are also a concern, as accepting gifts that lead to biased decision-making can result in legal penalties and financial losses, along with increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies. Moreover, perceived favoritism and unethical behavior due to gift giving can lead to decreased morale and increased tension among employees, fostering a toxic work environment. Negative public perception and media scrutiny can amplify the impact, leading to broader societal distrust and damaging the organization’s public image.
Mitigating conflicts of interest involving gift giving is crucial for maintaining professionalism, ethical standards, and public trust. Establishing and enforcing clear policies on gift acceptance, including value limits and reporting requirements, helps mitigate potential conflicts. Providing ongoing training on ethical standards and conflict of interest management ensures that employees understand the implications of accepting gifts. Additionally, requiring employees to disclose gifts received ensures transparency and allows for the identification and management of potential conflicts. Implementing independent review processes to assess decisions made by individuals who have received gifts also helps ensure unbiased decision-making. Understanding and managing these conflicts is essential for preserving the integrity and effectiveness of any organization.
Resources
Frankena, W. K. (1973). Ethics. (2nd ed.). Prentice-Hall. http://www.ditext.com/frankena/ethics.ht
Genevieve Noffsinger
WednesdayJul 3 at 10:02pm
Political activism outside of employment may influence professionalism and unbiased fulfillment of responsibilities because of networking. Networking can be good or bad depending on the perspective of those involved and those looking at the situation itself. The Hatch Act restricts employees from “…political activity while on duty, in a government office, wearing an official uniform or using a government vehicle, and from soliciting or discouraging the political activity of anyone who does business with the Department,” (DOJ, 2016). This is to protect the organization itself as well as prevent an abuse of power. The government and other organizations or companies do not want to see an employee wearing their uniform while supporting something that says “Kill kittens, save the puppies.” It might suggest to other that the organization supports this petition when it’s really just one…silly…employee.
However the impact of this violation of trust could ruin an organization. No one would believe they supported the well being of other people if they support kittens being killed to save puppies. Imagine if that were transferred to humans, and it would be. People would search the history of that organization and if there were any trends against one group of people they would become the kittens in the public eye. Everyone would be at risk of losing their jobs.
“Together, we will uphold the highest ethical standards in every aspect of our work. This includes…our interactions with the public,” (Mayorkas, 2021). I think this was a great way to show that everyone is held to a high standard, but by requiring different levels or personnel to be held to higher standards than others as described in the Ethics handbook, I believe its a good system. A janitor, while important, doesn’t have the same influence as a CEO so to have everyone at a minimum but expect more from people that have more potential power to be corrupted by is awesome.
References
Mayorkas, A. (2021, October 26). Memo from Secretary Mayorkas on ethical conduct: The bedrock of our service. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/employee-resources/blog/2021/1…

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