The report hereby aims to explore what lessons the NYPD can learn from the events of September 11. It is not a critique of actions taken by NYPD but rather an attempt to identify potential improvement opportunities.

The report:

· The report focuses are: 
o conduct an internal review of the NYPD’s response, 
o assess the primary objectives in responding to a large disaster, 
o analyze the existing means to achieve these objectives, 
o identify the improvement opportunities for response.

· The report is based on: over 100 interviews conducted within all ranks and commands, surveys to over 700 officers, documents such as operation logs, disaster plans and transmission tapes.

· The report consist of: an executive summary, the project description, the ‘findings’ and ‘next steps’ sections, and 2 appendices; chronology of key events, survey findings.

The findings:

· NYPD has 5 primary objectives while responding to a large disaster: Rescue, Transportation, Site Security, Investigation, and Citywide Security. A total of 16 subcategories exist and, while 10 of these were accomplished successfully 6 presented some shortfalls. These are: 
o Post-collapse search and rescue of survivors 
o Maintenance of on-site traffic access for emergency vehicles
o Establishing and maintaining inner and outer perimeters security 
o Policing immediate area of disaster scene 
o Assessing and managing risks of hazardous materials and secondary attacks at incident site
o Assessing and preventing further terrorist threats to the city

· The instruments NYPD has to achieve these objectives are: Operation Command, Communications, Personnel, Logistics/Equipments, Intelligence, Training, and Planning. Each of these posed challenges in the NYPD response capability at varying degrees.

· Of the 20 improvements opportunities that were identified 6 critical areas were prioritized. The criteria in prioritizing were: the degree of actual deficiency on 9/11, the degree to which the area is important to fulfilling the disaster response objectives, and the ease (cost and effort) of making the necessary improvements. The 6 areas were: 
o A clearer delineation of roles and responsibilities of NYPD leaders
o Better clarity in the chain of command 
o Radio communications protocols and procedures that optimize information flow
o More effective mobilization of members in service
o More efficient provisioning and distribution of emergency and donated equipment
o A comprehensive disaster response plan, with a significant counter-terrorism plan

Next steps:

· The first steps to be taken from now on, as the areas of improvements are identified, are to develop specific plans of action, decide and implement these changes.

· Besides turning these improvement opportunities into action, the NYPD must address the issue of coordination among the various federal, state and local agencies in both planning for, and responding to, catastrophic emergencies.