The Massachusetts National Guard Responds to the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing Case Study Analysis
When the Boston Marathon bombing took place in 2013, the Massachusetts National Guard was tasked to respond to the incident. This was a major event for the city and the state of Massachusetts and a great opportunity to demonstrate their support for the victims. The state of Massachusetts responded with swiftness and efficiency.
Problem Statement
The Massachusetts National Guard played a key role in the incident response. They were in the right place at the right time to perform lifesaving acts in the immediate aftermath of the bombings. There were 850 armed and ready troops on hand in Boston at any given moment.
One of the most notable actions was the deployment of the 102nd Security Forces Squadron to the site of the marathon to provide crowd control. The squad also played a role in the search for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the bomber, and the eventual capture.
Another feat of arms was the creation of the state's largest fire pit to burn the dreaded Tsarnaev bonfire. This was done in coordination with the local firefighters and other first responders.
The Massachusetts National Guard has also been involved in other facets of the tumultuous week. Their efforts in the medical area have been lauded by state and federal officials alike.
Aside from their support of the Boston Marathon, the Guard also provided a measure of security on the mass transit system of the city. This was the largest homeland security operation in the United States since the 9/11 attacks. It should not come as a surprise that the State of Massachusetts issued a report assessing the event's impact on its citizens.
In short, the National Guard played a role in a complex multi-agency response that required a lot of coordination and flexibility. For the most part, their actions were well-received and the lessons learned will likely be used by all public safety organizations.
Case Study Solution
The Boston Marathon Bombing was a high profile incident that occurred on April 15, 2013. It was one of the 117th runnings of the race and involved half a million spectators. Three people were killed in the attack. In addition, more than 250 were injured. This attack continues to reverberate across the country and beyond.
In the aftermath of the bombings, the National Guard was called in to help. Officials paired the service members with law enforcement and used them as crowd control. They also acted as search and rescue personnel.
As part of the initial incident response efforts, the 267th Combat Communications Squadron was dispatched from the Massachusetts Air National Guard. They set up a command post in the Boston Common and were escorted by police. During the course of the investigation, the FBI provided assistance.
As a result of this coordinated effort, the two teams were able to respond quickly and efficiently. Four detection trained K-9s were also deployed. These robots helped mitigate the threat and minimized the risk of human error.
Ultimately, the response to the bombings demonstrated the power of a coordinated multi-agency approach. But it also exposed challenges in the National Guard's ability to respond to terrorism on U.S. soil.
To address these issues, the Massachusetts National Guard needed to update technology and invest in research and development. It also needed to make some changes to its internal production systems.
Porters Five Forces
The Massachusetts National Guard responded to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing in a very complex multi-agency response. They sent nearly 1,300 soldiers to join emergency workers and law enforcement officers at the scene. Their actions saved many lives.
In the immediate aftermath of the bombing, they performed lifesaving actions such as treating the injured. They also secured the region's mass transit system.
The bombings killed three spectators and injured more than 260. After the incident, the National Guard was called upon to help search for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the two suspects. It also worked with the FBI to conduct warrantless door-to-door searches.
Governor Deval Patrick learned of the attack from his daughter. He was on his way to relax in his garden when the bombs went off.
The Massachusetts National Guard played a crucial role in the response. After the attacks, a 102nd Security Forces Squadron team was deployed to line the route of the marathon. They provided crowd control and helped augment local law enforcement.
Throughout the race, members of the National Guard acted as crossing guards and as crowd control. They were not armed.
Although the response was well-known, the Massachusetts National Guard did not deploy to full capacity. However, the case highlights the unique capabilities and assets of the National Guard.
Despite the lack of a show of force, the National Guard's efforts have been praised by President Obama.
PESTLE Analysis
The Massachusetts National Guard is more than just an acrobat in the trenches. It is a well thought out organization that serves to protect the citizens of Boston and surrounding suburbs by deploying a plethora of highly skilled and dedicated soldiers who are often the envy of the enlisted. On the occasion of the most recent attacks, the Guard was deployed to provide security on the region's mass transit system. For those that don't believe in the power of the state, there is a notable difference between a state and a federal entity. So, it is no wonder that a high powered policing unit was deployed to the skies to prevent the aforementioned atrocities from occurring in the first place. In this regard, the Guard's prowess was more than most of the federal police force.
It is no secret that the Guard has an affluent and snobbish demographic, which is why they're more than willing to step up to the plate when it comes to protecting the masses. Moreover, the Guard is often tapped to perform a myriad of public safety and public relations duties in the name of state good and bad. One such duty is securing hundreds of citizens' personal property.
Financial Analysis
The Massachusetts National Guard played a major role in the multi-agency effort to mitigate the risk of an attack on the nation's most iconic running event. The 102nd Security Forces Squadron was on hand to provide crowd control and ensure the safety of spectators. It's also worth noting that the state's Department of Transportation was tasked with providing security for the region's mass transit system.
The 102nd also performed a number of lifesaving actions in the immediate aftermath of the aforementioned bombings. For instance, 18 Airmen were tasked with protecting hundreds of citizens' personal belongings. In addition, the unit's 26th Signal Company deployed the aforementioned JISCC to the task.
To say that the Massachusetts National Guard had a stellar response is an understatement. Using a combination of state and federal funds, the Guard was able to respond in a timely manner. As the nation's largest standing military force, the Guard has ample resources to draw upon. This is especially the case in times of crisis.
Although the aforementioned attack was unfortunate, the aforementioned multi-agency effort is an example of how the Guard can help civilians in the most challenging of environments. Moreover, it's worth noting that the aforementioned feats were only possible thanks to long term institutionalized planning efforts. During the incident, the State of Massachusetts issued a slew of alerts and a well-orchestrated media campaign to ensure the public's safety.
Recommendations
The Massachusetts National Guard responded to the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013. Two homemade bombs detonated near the marathon finish line, causing a massive disruption and killing three people and injuring more than 260.
During the incident, the National Guard provided security on the region's mass transit system and acted as crowd control. In addition, the 267th Combat Communications Squadron, part of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, participated in the response.
The after action report for the response to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings was released on April 3, 2015. It outlined response activities and reviewed recovery efforts. It also provides recommendations and best practices.
The after action report identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the event security plan and discusses lessons learned. In addition, it reviews response activities and the performance of government officials and public safety agencies.
The report also outlines the roles of the intelligence and law enforcement agencies involved in the response. The FBI was designated the lead federal law enforcement agency.
The Boston Marathon was run amid heightened security and a new city-wide surveillance system was deployed. This surveillance system was designed to identify abnormal activities and suspicious behavior.
The National Guard's response included nearly 1,300 airmen, law enforcement officers, and emergency workers. These personnel performed life-saving actions in the aftermath of the bombings. They were accompanied by armored vehicles.
The National Guard's case also highlights the unique capabilities of the military and other agencies. Among other things, the report describes how the guard performed a search for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the suspects charged in the bombings.
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