Emergency Incident Management Systems. Louis N. Molino, Sr.
Commander (IC). It was determined that a chain link fence was needed to keep unauthorized personnel out of the area. This job was tasked to the Oklahoma City Street Department, who would erect the barrier fence around the scene and the Command Post. While the street department was its own agency, it would work under the direction of the FBI. It was also determined that traffic would be stopped at certain areas, so the Oklahoma City Traffic Management Department was given this task, also under the direction of the FBI, to blockade certain streets (Final Report, 1996).
Everything that has been described about this incident to this point occurred in the first two hours of the incident. While the remainder of the Oklahoma City Bombing incident could be reviewed in similar detail, we will only discuss key points about the remainder of the incident from the details found in the Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management (ODCEM) After Action Report, ([AAR] n.d.) and interviews provided by the Fire Chief, Gary Marrs (Fire Engineering, 1995). Some key cooperation and collaborations that occurred after the first two to three hours included the following:
Day 1
With the help of the City of Oklahoma elected officials, a vacant building was used to house the investigative arm of the incident, including the FBI, ATF, and the DEA.
Ongoing liaison relationships were sustained with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the National Guard, and the American Red Cross, in an effort to facilitate a more unified effort.
The Oklahoma Medical Examiner's office and temporary morgue were set up in a nearby Methodist Church.
Public events personnel set up facilities for housing and feeding rescue workers.
A roped‐off media area was set up to accommodate the influx of local, national, and international media. The media was updated regularly on the first day. After the first day, there were assigned times for press conferences throughout the duration of the incident.
Public events personnel set up accommodations for press briefings.
The Oklahoma Restaurant Association established a 24‐hour food service operation to feed first responders at the Myriad Convention Center.
Public works provided on‐site sanitary facilities, lighting for nighttime work, and trash cans, plus developed a trash schedule for the duration of the incident.
The FBI developed and issued a photo ID so that individuals not involved in the incident could be restricted from entering.
Donation centers were set up to receive donated food, clothing, and other items. Eventually, three donation centers would be opened.
Street cleaning crews began cleaning streets outside of the perimeter, so traffic could resume in the nearby area.
A Forward Command Post for the Operations Section of search and rescue was set up in the loading dock of the Murrah Building.
FEMA Incident Support Team arrived early in the afternoon of the first day and supported the Forward Command Post with electrical power, telephones, copiers, tables, chairs, and other necessary items.
A Family Assistance Center was set up for immediate family members. Family received two briefings per day from the State Medical Examiner's Office. Along with being updated about those deceased or feared dead, there was counseling, and comfort provided. Organizations included in providing comfort were the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, clergy members, and mental health professionals.
Security for the Family Assistance Center was provided by the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office and the Oklahoma National Guard.
The American Red Cross set up temporary shelters to provide for the needs of those who had been displaced by the explosion.
A nonprofit organization based in Oklahoma, Feed the Children, provided food and disaster supplies for first responders. They also set up in the disaster area to distribute food and equipment to first responders. Feed the Children managed volunteers, and if they found a need not being filled, they would contact corporate donors to facilitate what was needed.
The Myriad Convention Center became a central part of ensuring first responder needs were met. The convention center was set up on the first day, and services expanded over the next few days. Services provided to first responders included donated food, donated clothing, medicines, personal care items, optometry services, chiropractic services, podiatry care, massage therapy, and more.
Perimeter security was initially provided by Oklahoma City Police and the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office. A planning meeting for perimeter security was held with Oklahoma City Police, Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, Oklahoma Military Department, and Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management to divide up perimeter security obligations. A permanent perimeter was decided, and a specific number of personnel to provide this security (from each agency) were assigned.
An inner perimeter (for areas that may contain evidence) was secured by FBI personnel until the buildings inside the (overall) perimeter were cleared of evidence.
Subsequent Days
At the Myriad Convention Center, special programs were set up for Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Teams. This included free calls home from AT&T, free mail and parcel delivery from UPS, and other similar amenities. These amenities were managed, and it was decided who should be allowed to use these services under the ICS system.
A military explosive ordinance disposal unit was requested. The unit does a sweep of the Murrah Building and finds no additional explosives.
A Disaster Field Office (DFO) was established. In the Disaster Field Office (DFO), the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO), the State Coordinating Officer, and emergency response teams worked together to meet the needs of the response and recovery.
A Multi‐Agency Coordination Center (MACC) comprised of federal and state representatives (who had the authority to commit resources) was created at the Myriad Convention Center. It is staffed by the Oklahoma County Emergency Management Agency, Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management, FEMA advisors and specialists, the National Weather Service, the American Red Cross, and technical advisors from the US Forestry Service.
A Joint Information Center (JIC) was set up at the Myriad Convention Center to provide for the organized release of any public information. All information would be vetted and cleared for release by all major agencies involved.
Mental health services and Critical Incident Stress Debriefings (CISDs) were offered to first responders. These services were provided by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the FBI, the American Red Cross, as well as volunteer private specialists. Additionally, crisis hotlines.
A Congressional Liaison Office is established at the Disaster Field Office (DFO) to coordinate inquiries from US Senators and Representatives. By assigning this task to an individual, or individuals, it reduces interruptions that might slow operations.
Crisis lines were created, and operated 24‐7, to meet the needs of the general public.
The Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) activates numerous Emergency Support Function (ESF) from the federal government to assist with the incident. They include– ESF 2 Communications– ESF 3 Public Works and Engineering– ESF 4 Firefighting– ESF 5 Information and Planning– ESF 6 Mass Care– ESF 7 Resource Support– ESF 8 Health and Medical Services– ESF 9 Urban Search and Rescue
Requests were made to the Defense Coordinating Officer (DCO) to provide six C‐141 military aircraft to be used to transport the needed supplies and equipment. That request was approved almost instantly.
A Disaster Mortuary Team (DMORT) from FEMA arrives to provide support for the coroner's office. Medical support for the Disaster Mortuary Team (DMORT) comes from US Public Health Service, with logistical support being provided by Oklahoma City Veterans Administration (hospital).