Eleventh public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States held its eleventh public hearing May 18-19, 2004, at New School University in New York City. The two-day hearing examined the response of local and federal emergency response departments on September 11, 2001, and considered how to improve these critical functions in the event of future terrorist attacks.

The Commission heard from the current and former top-level officials in the fire, police, and emergency management departments of New York City, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Arlington County, Virginia. Secretary of Homeland Security Thomas J. Ridge and former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani also testified. Two staff statements were presented during the course of the hearing.

“At this hearing, the Commission turns its attention to the day of September 11, 2001. We will focus on what confronted civilians and first responders during the attacks, how they made decisions under adverse conditions, and what first responders communicated to civilians and to each other,” said Commission Chair Thomas H. Kean.

“The Commission also will explore the state of the emergency preparedness and response today,” said Commission Vice Chair Lee H. Hamilton. “We will examine what steps have been taken since 9-11 to improve our preparedness against terrorist attacks and other emergencies, and whether we need national standards of preparedness.”

Archived Video and Transcripts

HEARING AGENDA

"Emergency Response"
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
8:45 - 10:00 AM
10:00 - 11:15 AM	PANEL ONE Alan Reiss Former Director, World Trade Department, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Joseph Morris Former Chief, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department
11:15 - 1:00 PM	PANEL TWO Bernard B. Kerik Former Commissioner, New York Police Department (NYPD) Thomas Von Essen Former Commissioner, Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Richard Sheirer Former Director, New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
1:00 - 2:00 PM	BREAK
2:00 - 3:45 PM	PANEL THREE Raymond W. Kelly Commissioner, New York Police Department (NYPD) Nicholas Scoppetta Commissioner, Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Joseph F. Bruno Commissioner, New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
8:00 - 8:30 AM
8:30 - 10:00 AM	The Honorable Rudolph W. Giuliani Former Mayor, City of New York
10:00 - 11:00 AM	PANEL FOUR Dennis Smith Author, “Report from Ground Zero” Jerome M. Hauer Former Director, New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Edward P. Plaugher Chief, Arlington County Fire Department
11:00 - 11:15 AM	The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg Mayor, City of New York
11:15 - 12:45 PM	The Honorable Thomas J. Ridge Secretary of Homeland Security
12:45 PM	Hearing Concludes. Press Availability to Follow