For Oklahoma City, it took one day to change the way city officials viewed their security. That day was September 11, 2001. After that day, the U.S. government issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12, requiring ‘a common identification standard for federal employees and contractors.’ For Oklahoma City, that meant creating a new system for issuing ID cards to city employees, vendors and contractors.
Unfortunately, Oklahoma City was no stranger to emergencies. It ramped up its security program after the Murrah Federal Building bombing in 1995, but it still issued a variety of ID cards. After 9/11 and HSPD-12, it coordinated the look and feel of its ID cards, enhancing its security system at the same time.
