Catastrophic Terrorism -- Local Response to a National Threat

• NCJ Number: 190529
• Journal: Journal of Homeland Security Dated: August 2001 Pages: 1-6
• Author(s): Frank Keating
• Date Published: August 2001
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded September 24, 2001. The exercise, Dark Winter, was a simulation of an intentional release of the smallpox virus.

Annotation

This document brings the experiences of the Oklahoma City bombing and the simulated exercise of the release of smallpox in three United States cities together with recommendations for future terrorist incidents.

Abstract

A massive terror bomb was detonated on April 19, 1995, in front of the Murrah Federal Office Building in the heart of Oklahoma City. It killed 168 people, injured hundreds more, and severely damaged many dozens of buildings. The rescue and recovery efforts that followed, and the criminal investigation, were both the most massive of their kind in American history. These efforts involved more separate agencies from local, State, and Federal governments than had ever worked cooperatively on a single task. Observers would later coin the term “The Oklahoma Standard” to refer to the way the Nation came together in response to this act. In June of 2001, during the simulated 13 days of the exercise, titled “Dark Winter”, the disease smallpox spread to 25 States and 15 other countries. Discussions, debates, and decisions focused on the public health response, lack of an adequate supply of smallpox vaccine, roles and missions of Federal and State governments, civil liberties associated with quarantine and isolation, the role of the Department of Defense, and potential military responses to the anonymous attack. The “Dark Winter” scenario involved a foreign source of terrorism and was bacterial rather than explosive. Otherwise, these two scenarios shared these key goals and principles: to protect, preserve, and save lives and property; to hold accountable those responsible for terrorism; and to protect and advance America’s interests and security. The five basic findings were also similar with the two events. Valuable lessons learned by both scenarios are important. The first is to train and equip first responders; search for ways to support teamwork before an incident; be candid with the public; and trust the experts to do what they know best.