FATAL CONFUSION: A Troubled Emergency Response; 9/11 Exposed Deadly Flaws In Rescue Plan

9/11. NIST issued their final report, in September 2005, on the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, NYC, after being struck by airplanes in a horrific terrorist attack. The following article from the NY Times, dated July 2002, does not need illustrations. The writing tells the story.

In addition to the terrible destruction, this article clearly describes a lack of coordination of the first responders – fire, police and Emergency Medical Services. Most problematic were communication systems between the services and absence of command coordination. All the services wanted to help but that resulted in too many people located where they could not best help the occupants of the towers evacuate and protect first responders. Heroes, all.

It may be impossible to coordinate training and the rescue response of the men and women of such a broad mix of emergency services. And, this was an extraordinary tragedy.

FATAL CONFUSION – The NY Times, 7 July 2002