Those Who Rushed to Help
In the moments after the blast – police, fire and medical teams rushed to the scene. No one knew what had happened. Everyone focused on helping. In the days that followed, more and more agencies were involved. Local construction companies provided equipment. The nearby Tinker Air Force Base provided people and gear. Virtually every police, fire and paramedic in the state reported to help in any way they could.
Before long, teams poured in from outside of Oklahoma too, including the FBI, and multiple Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) teams. This local and national response set the standard for reaction to tragedy. What’s more, the hospitality and warmth Oklahomans showed to the visiting responders became known as the Oklahoma Standard.