Report cites confusion in 9/11 rescue efforts

New York police, fire officials say changes under way

New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said safety agencies are working together more closely since September 11.

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A consultant found that poor coordination between New York's police and fire departments was a major shortcoming in their response to the World Trade Center attacks, but they managed to rescue 25,000 people September 11, city officials said Monday.

As a result, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said that fire department personnel have been invited to ride aboard police helicopters and the two agencies are coordinating their radio communications systems instead of being on separate frequencies.

The study by the management consulting firm McKinsey and Co. also found that too many police and fire personnel -- including off-duty workers -- rushed to the scene, and some commanders lost track of people in the confusion.

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The police and fire departments hired McKinsey five months ago to make findings and recommendations. Kelly, Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and Mayor Michael Bloomberg disclosed the results Monday.

"Our bravest and finest carried out what was the most successful urban evacuation in modern history," Bloomberg said.

The attacks by hijackers who slammed commercial aircraft into the 110-story twin towers killed 2,823 people, including 23 police officers, 343 firefighters and 37 members of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Five smaller buildings also were destroyed.

Bloomberg said the consultants targeted four areas: operations and preparedness, planning and management, technology and support services to families.

"This was not an exercise in Monday morning quarterbacking," Kelly said of the study.

The consultants said police did a good job moving traffic, using the subway system to evacuate people from the city center and helping to set up temporary morgues. There also was little looting, Kelly said.

But McKinsey also found problems. Too many police rushed to the scene, and there was a lack of clear command structure and roles, lack of discipline, insufficient counterterrorism training and some disregard for radio protocol, the police commissioner said.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, center, called the September 11 rescue efforts "the most successful urban evacuation in modern history."

Too many police officers were on radios at the same time, Kelly said, and the department is looking into increasing the number of frequencies.

Seven groups will address the report's recommendations, and there have been changes in command operations, Kelly said.

"This examination of our performance will help make us a stronger department," he said. "None of the findings detract in any way from the heroic efforts of police officers and firefighters that day."

Similar management problems were noted in the fire department, Scoppetta added. A fire command center is being enhanced so firefighters can be rotated better during a lengthy emergency, he said.

The agency has been testing new radios and will expand their use next week, he said.

"I think key in this report are the recommendations that talk about improved coordination with the police department and other agencies and the fire department," Scoppetta said. "That coordinated response to catastrophic emergencies is absolutely essential and is being addressed.

"The report looks to the future," he said. "It doesn't try to assess blame."

His department is developing an all-hazards plan, and a communications group is looking at a five-year plan, Scoppetta said.