April 19, 1995 at 9:02 a.m., the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was the target of a domestic terrorist bombing that forever changed the lives of many people.
The bombing killed 168 people and injured more than 700 others. The blast destroyed or damaged 324 buildings within a 16 block radius. Extensive rescue efforts were undertaken by agencies from all over the United States. Three of our own responded to this horrific incident. Captain/paramedic David Gott, firefighter/paramedic Jerry Click, and retired driver/EMT Frank Bickel all assisted in the search and rescue operations.
After the news of the bombing spread, Chief Grammar, the chief at the time, assembled a rescue team from the department to help with the search. The three men, called “RATS” (Rescue and Technical Specialist), were notified around 12 p.m. and deployed to Oklahoma City immediately. They arrived at Central Fire Station in OKC around 4:30 p.m. They were the first team to arrive to help with search and rescue from outside of Oklahoma.
The response to the bombing was amazing. Until September 11, 2001, it was the largest multi-agency response in the United States. They began work on the pile of rubble by 6:00 p.m. that night. They worked diligently for four consecutive days. Even though they responded as rescue workers, they found only bodies.
Gott and Click returned for the 20 year anniversary this week. They toured the museum where there is a Garland Fire Department ball cap in the memorabilia. They also tried to reestablish some of the geographical areas where they had operated and were able to share some thoughts and memories of those days.
“The devastation and destruction we witnessed, and our actions there for the first four days, had a dramatic effect on both of our lives,” Jerry said.
The deployment to the bombing helped to establish the rescue team for the Garland Fire Department.
Our gratitude goes to these three men who responded to this incident. Not only did they represent the Garland Fire Department well, but also the city as a whole. They make us proud!