> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # City tests preparedness for terrorist attack - URL: https://www.smdp.com/city-tests-preparedness-for-terrorist-attack/ - Published: 2002-11-15T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T00:55:50.000Z - Author: Andrew Fixmer - Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import *Santa Monica among eight cities countywide conducting drills* Terrorists bombed a crowded Big Blue Bus on Thursday with themselves aboard after they took control of it and negotiations with authorities failed. That’s the scenario used by Santa Monica officials in a massive, all-day drill of the city’s preparedness for such an attack, which was held at the fire department’s training facility in the city yards. Los Angeles County along with eight of its cities, including Santa Monica, conducted the drills and exercises to help prepare officials for responding to a coordinated attack by terrorists. They called the series of drills “Operation Critical Response.” Santa Monica has regularly conducted interactive drills like the one held on Thursday, but prior scenarios dealt with the aftermath of earthquakes, fires and other natural disasters. This is the first time authorities used a terrorist plot. 40C,“I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone that we’re using a terrorist drill,” said Judy Rambeau, City of Santa Monica spokeswoman. > “I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone that we’re using a terrorist drill.” — — JUDY RAMBEAU City of Santa Monica spokeswoman “We did a table top exercise last year right after Sept. 11,” she said. “But this is the first time we’re drilling on this scenario to this extent.” The drill was coordinated by the Santa Monica Fire Department, and tested the readiness of fire, police, public works, transportation and other city departments to respond to the potential terrorist act. An overturned car and debris made to look like a collapsed building set the stage for a search and rescue mission aimed at saving as many survivors of the make believe attack. City officials said in such a situation they would immediately alert county officials and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has offices in West L.A. Hazardous materials experts secured the scene to ensure terrorists didn’t use chemical, biological or radioactive weapons. Once the scene was deemed safe, firefighters and police scoured the scene and removed victims. Secure zones were set up for emergency medical personnel to treat survivors and emergency responders, and ambulances were at the ready to ship the injured to nearby hospitals. Police secured the crime scene and patrolled the area in bullet-proof vests and armed with assault rifles. Santa Monica’s Special Entry Team, a cadre of highly trained officers, set up position on roofs and at checkpoints to ensure any surviving terrorists could not escape or cause more harm. The city’s chief administrators were taken to the scene to help coordinate any response needed for the scenario. In an emergency, they would help determine whether curfews needed to be put into effect or if the airways of Santa Monica needed to be restricted. Along with police and fire personnel, they formed the Emergency Operations Center, which acts as the nucleus of decision-making during an emergency. Since many municipal employees don’t live in Santa Monica, if regional roads are impassible, the city would fly in its emergency personnel from nearby airfields to the Santa Monica Airport. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/111502-01_01.jpg) (Left) Emergency personnel assess the situation of a mock terrorist attack in Santa Monica on Thursday in the command center at the city yards. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/111502-01_02.jpg) (Left) Emergency personnel assess the situation of a mock terrorist attack in Santa Monica on Thursday in the command center at the city yards. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/111502-01_03.jpg) (Left) Emergency personnel assess the situation of a mock terrorist attack in Santa Monica on Thursday in the command center at the city yards. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/111502-01_06.jpg) (Above) Victims lie dead outside of a car that blew up after a mock bus bombing was carried out as part of a disaster drill at the city yards on Thursday. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/111502-01_08.jpg) (Above) Hazmat from the FBI and local firefighters search for victims in the crime scene of a fake bus bombing in Santa Monica on Thursday. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press) *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 15, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/111502.pdf?ref=smdp.com)