Massive manhunt underway. MA Governor Deval Patrick Suspect 1 is dead, suspect 2 on the run. All Public transit closed. ALL BOSTON RESIDENTS SHELTER IN PLACE
One officer dead, one wounded. Do NOT Tweet officer locations and images putting officers and yourself at risk.
As of April 17, 2013, 2:50 p.m. EDT, the FBI released this statement in response to several media outlets reporting that an arrest had been made in the case:
No Arrest Made in Bombing Investigation
Contrary to widespread reporting, no arrest has been made in connection with the Boston Marathon attack. Over the past day and a half, there have been a number of press reports based on information from unofficial sources that has been inaccurate. Since these stories often have unintended consequences, we ask the media, particularly at this early stage of the investigation, to exercise caution and attempt to verify information through appropriate official channels before reporting.
This is an ongoing investigation. Any persons with information on the bombings including video or images no matter how small are being urged to call Boston authorities at 1-800-494-TIPS. Those with information may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), prompt #3 “No piece of information or detail too small.”
Update 8:30 PM Eastern 4/14/2013
3 people have died
BPD asking people to be on heightened state of alert
FBI has taken over the investigation
Update: 7:45 PM Eastern
There will be a joint news conference at 8:30 PM Eastern
If you were at the Boston Marathon today and took any video send it to the @Boston_Police | Any footage may have a clue.
FBI & Boston police want info from witnesses. 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), prompt #3 “No piece of information or detail too small. via @BostonGlobe
Injury count as of 7:45 pm by hospital: Boston Children’s 8; Brigham 27; BMC 23; MGH 22; BI 21; St E’s, 15; Tufts 9
The area will be a crime scene and closed to any public access for the foreseeable future
For those in Hotels stay in room
Police stabilizing situation -checking packages
BPD asking people not to congregate in large crowds
Thousands of runners were still on course – return to hotels and stay in, make way home as possible
Telephone systems may be overloaded
Land lines may be overloaded
News and other websites may be unavailable due to load
Businesses evacuating
UPDATE: Source Reuters: Boston police confirm a fire at JFK Library
Two explosions have been reported near the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street as thousands of people gathered for the race, and there are reports of serious injuries.
The blasts happened at about 2:50 p.m. near the intersection of Boylston and Exeter streets. Store fronts have been blown out, and there have been reports of dozens of injuries.
Firestorm first reminds all that every crisis is a human crisis: if your business is in the geographic area of this incident,
Prepare for immediate evacuations of employees in a safe and calm manner and follow all security and police instructions
No cell phone use is allowed in the downtown Boston area at this time
Caution is advised when evacuating to avoid trash containers
Prepare for an extended period of technology outages or overload in the area
Prepare for extended employee absences
Prepare for counseling services as needed for employees
Please contact us if you are in need of assistance in this emergency situation
Be on the alert for copycat threats and activities
How you answer the question “What should we do now?” can have far reaching implications for your company or organization. Preparedness and Resiliency are key brand attributes for every company. Crises come as surprises. Control of events and message are lost. Impacts accelerate. Public scrutiny intensifies.
Are you ready? How do you know? Are you sure?
Most executives are trained to make decisions based upon information, data, and policy.
In a crisis,
Information is generally wrong
Data is not available
Policies do not exist
Command & control is lost
Brand & reputation are under attack
Leadership is involved and engaged personally
Impacts are disproportional
Events are escalating
Speed is quality or even survival
You are the center of media focus
The above dynamics work aggressively against traditional empirical management decision processes. Decisions must be made quickly with limited and often incorrect information.
A crisis is not business as usual. A crisis is business as unusual.
Crises have a short duration, but have consequences that can determine the viability of a business or organization for years to come. If you are explaining, you are losing.
Crises have impacts – for good and bad. Every crisis starts with a combination of opportunity and danger. Where the risk/crisis conundrum balances depends upon your initial critical decisions, your crisis communications, your monitoring of events, and your adjustments made to strategy and actions as events develop. Your company’s reputation, brand, legacy, and profitability hang in the balance in a crisis. Crises are personal. Every crisis is a human crisis. It is your company. It is your people. It is your brand. It is your reputation. It is your career. Doing the wrong thing or doing nothing can create a point of no return.
We Help Clients Take Control of Crisis
In crisis, we assist senior management in developing or implementing a Crisis Management Plan. We provide advice and insight to help managers make crucial decisions, and communication experts to assist with social media communications and public relations. Our Senior Team is ready to help your senior team.
Don’t Let Your First Response Become Your Second Crisis
As the leading crisis management company, our founders, executives, principals, and Executive Council are available to assist as needed. We put together the right team for you.
Call us today and discover how we can help in calm and in crisis. (800) 321-2219
UPDATE: Source Reuters: Boston police confirm a fire at JFK Library
“What should we do now?” “What should we say?”