Response to WMD

Case Study #2: Oklahoma City bombing on Murrah Federal Offices, April 1995

The Oklahoma City bombing was one of the first incidents involving high yield explosives devices used to commit a terrorist act. The catastrophic effect using commercially available materials (fertilizer) and easily acquired materials gave rise to urgent needs for new detection methods.

Additionally, there was an emergent need to develop new approaches for identifying and partnering with other government organizations to respond to mass casualties resulting from such incidents. As time progressed, this need was further underscored in the events of 9/11/01, and other large-scale incidents.

Last, this case study is an excellent example of how response organizations need to train and work together under difficult conditions. Many people trapped inside the building needed immediate medical assistance, rubble impeded rescue efforts, and time was working against rescue workers. Any attempts to think about coordinating actions among responders added more layers of frustration – and precious time – to relief efforts.

How would science and technology work to lessen the burden on responders? What organizations are best prepared to deal with this type of incident? How would you, as an emergency manager, prepare for such an event? What training, personnel, partnerships, approaches, and communication methods should be developed that can be rapidly deployed, should such an incident occur?

Videos

Live news coverage of bombing on April 19, 1995: • Oklahoma City bombing. (2014, March 5). KOCO- TV News…Oklahoma City Bombing April 19, 1995 [Video file]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw86RZBZexs

President Clinton press conference and comments: • Oklahoma City bombing. (2013, November 3). President Clinton statement on suspect in Oklahoma City bombing April 21, 1995 archival footage [Video file]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iO28pEfEsU

Making thermite explosives material from common sand: • Mrhomescientist. (2011, February 12). Make thermite out of sand [Video file]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73YmP_JSrlU

Michael Freudiger. (2007, July 14). Explosives test using shock tube [Video file]. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AuTxeV0lxU

Readings:

A photographic look back at the Oklahoma City bombing: • TIME. (n.d.). https://content.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1982767,00.html

FBI summary: • Federal Bureau Investigation. (n.d.). Oklahoma City Bombing. https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/history/famous-cases/oklahoma-city-bombing

CNN Fast Facts: Oklahoma City bombing • CNN Editorial Research. (2020, May 10). https://www.cnn.com/2013/09/18/us/oklahoma-city-bombing-fast-facts/

National Preparedness Guidelines: • U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2007, September). https://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nrf/National_Preparedness_Guidelines.pdf

Detection of explosives, science & technology: • Phoenix Nuclear Labs. (n.d.). https://phoenixwi.com/bomb-detection/ied-detection/

Novel method for detection of explosive devices: • Wynn, C.M., Palmacci, S., Kunz, R.R., & Rothschild, M. (n.d.). https://www.ll.mit.edu/about/lincoln-laboratory-publications/lincoln-laboratory-journal/lincoln-laboratory-journal-8

DoD CBRNE Response elements to high yield explosives incidents: • Department of the Army. (2008, January 24). https://irp.fas.org/doddir/army/fmi3-90-10.pdf

DoD Standards for Installation Protection: • Executive Services Directorate. (n.d.). https://www.esd.whs.mil/dd/

Domestic IED Threats: • Kress, J. & Grogger, S. (2008). https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a518754.pdf

U.S. Department of Justice. Office of Justice Programs. (2000, June). https://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/explosionandbombsceneinvestigationNIJ.pdf

Background information on bomb detection capabilities, post Oklahoma City bombing:

• Rouhi, M.A. (1995, July 24). https://pubsapp.acs.org/cen/hotarticles/cenear/950724/art02.html?

CTTSO Review, 2013: • Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office. (2013) https://cttso.gov/Documents/ReviewBooks/2013CTTSOReveiwBook_Web.pdf

Office of the Director of National Intelligence. (n.d.) https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/USNI%202013%20Overview_web.pdf

CIA CBRN Terrorist Threat Handbook: • Central Intelligence Agency. Directorate of Intelligence. (2003, May). https://www.cia.gov/library/reports/general-reports-1/CBRN_threat.pdf

Central Intelligence Agency. (1998, October). https://www.cia.gov/library/reports/general-reports-1/cbr_handbook/cbrbook.htm

CIA World Factbook: Central Intelligence Agency. (n.d.). https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html