Abstract

On August 1, 2007 at about 6:05 pm, during the height of the evening rush hour, the I-35W Bridge collapsed into the Mississippi. The collapse was unanticipated, surprising the response community and public alike and robbing them of any warning that would have allowed for the closing of the bridge. Based on the characteristics of the collapse, the response should have been an exceptionally complicated endeavor. However, in spite of the very complicated scene confronting the response community, the response activities have been praised as being very successful. This article examines the literature on emergency response to determine what characteristics are thought to be necessary for success. It then examines the emergency response to the I-35W Bridge collapse based on those criteria. It concludes with an analysis of what failed, met expectations, and really succeeded in the response.

Recommended Citation

Cook, Alethia H. (2009) "Towards an Emergency Response Report Card: Evaluating the Response to the I-35W Bridge Collapse," Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management: Vol. 6 : Iss. 1, Article 59.
DOI: 10.2202/1547-7355.1605
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/jhsem/vol6/iss1/59