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Response to Bomb Detonations
Basic Response
As soon as the event is recognized as an explosion, alert the authorities. If the bombing was small in size, immediately call 911 and report the explosion. If the explosion was very large in size, such as a truck bombing, chances are that local police and emergency responders will hear the explosion and begin dispatching personnel immediately. If in doubt, call 911 and report the incident.
Once the incident has been reported, evacuate yourself and any other uninjured people or "walking wounded" from the site of the blast. In many cases, the post-blast scene will be ridden with broken glass, debris, and other possible hazards such as fires, smoke, toxic fumes, exposed electrical wires, possible structural damage, etc. Additional bombs ( referred to as "secondary devices") may also be present. As a rule, uninjured or lightly wounded civilians should always be removed from the hazard area to reduce the risk of further injury.
Be aware, many people experience shock and confusion in the immediate aftermath of a bombing. Some people may also have difficulty hearing due to overpressure injuries in the ear. Do your best to collect yourself and assist others in exiting the area.
Do not remove anything from the blast area while departing. All objects (including deceased victims) are evidence in a post-blast crime scene. If the blast was very large, leave your car and focus on evacuating uninjured and walking wounded out of the hazard area.
Once police and emergency responders have arrived and gained control of the scene, a special collection point will be established for walking wounded. Direct all injured people to this location for assessment and later transport to hospitals.
Once the scene is under control, advise police that you were present at the time of the explosion. They may wish to interview you as a possible witness. If the blast was very large, the police will most likely take your name and contact information and tell you to go home.
If the bombing affected your place of work, contact your work supervisor as soon as possible to advise your company of your status. One of the most challenging aspects of post-blast response is obtaining a full accounting of people in the aftermath. The sooner your company knows all of its employees’ status, the sooner they can begin narrowing the list of possible killed or hospitalized employees.
Casualty Treatment
If you have received previous training in emergency medicine and hazards appear minimal, stabilize seriously injured casualties in place until emergency responders arrive. Avoid moving casualties unless there is immanent danger from fires, smoke, or exposed electrical wires. Also avoid disturbing objects in the post-blast area to minimize contamination of the crime scene. Once emergency responders have arrived, turn casualty treatment over to medical technicians and evacuate the area.
If you do not have previous emergency medical training, do not remain in the hazard area to treat casualties. Note the location of seriously injured people and report their location to medical professionals arriving on-scene.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Regardless of medical training, NEVER enter a structurally damaged building to treat or extricate injured people. This is the responsibility of professional emergency responders.
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