Terrorism
March 2–21, 2018
The Austin Serial Bombings
For nineteen days, the scene was the whole city and the next device could be anywhere.
Austin, Texas A first-person account from the Police Chaplain Project oral-history archive.
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THE ACCOUNT
The Austin bombings created a prolonged state of uncertainty for residents and responders. Rabbi Marie Betcher recalls the tension, the unprecedented interagency work and a wave of public gratitude that officers felt in ordinary moments after the threat ended.
“You were just expecting a bomb to go off almost anywhere you walked or went.”Rabbi Marie Betcher
WHAT THIS DAY TAUGHT
Lessons to carry forward
A sustained threat changes the care model
There was no clean transition from scene to recovery while devices remained possible. Chaplain coverage, rest and family communication must be organized for days or weeks rather than one operational period.
Interagency work needs relational support
Local, state and federal personnel learned together under pressure. Chaplains can reduce friction by serving across insignia while respecting each agency’s command and resources.
Public gratitude reaches responders
Officers repeatedly found meals already paid for and heard direct thanks. Leaders can make room for healthy community support while protecting staff from unwanted attention.
Capture learning after the threat ends
A novel attack creates operational knowledge that can disappear as people return to routine. Debrief care and the after-action process should inform each other without confusing therapy with investigation.
THE FIELD BRIEF
For the next command meeting
Before
- Plan chaplain staffing for a multi-day threat.
- Build relationships across local, state and federal agencies.
- Include responder families in sustained-threat communication.
During
- Rotate people before vigilance becomes exhaustion.
- Serve across agencies without disrupting command.
- Maintain privacy while accepting appropriate community support.
After
- Separate confidential care from operational review.
- Document interagency lessons promptly.
- Continue contact after public attention drops.
Use this page to open a tabletop conversation. Adapt every action to local policy, incident command and the needs of the people involved.
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