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Great Seal of the United States National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States



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

STAFF STATEMENT NO. 13
Emergency Preparedness and Response

10:00 - 11:15 AM

PANEL ONE

Alan Reiss
Former Director, World Trade Department, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Submitted Testimony

Joseph Morris
Former Chief, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department
Submitted Testimony

11:15 - 1:00 PM

PANEL TWO

Bernard B. Kerik
Former Commissioner, New York Police Department (NYPD)
Submitted Testimony

Thomas Von Essen
Former Commissioner, Fire Department of New York (FDNY)
Submitted Testimony

Richard Sheirer
Former Director, New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
Submitted Testimony

1:00 - 2:00 PM

BREAK

2:00 - 3:45 PM

PANEL THREE

Raymond W. Kelly
Commissioner, New York Police Department (NYPD)
Submitted Testimony

Nicholas Scoppetta
Commissioner, Fire Department of New York (FDNY)
Submitted Testimony

Joseph F. Bruno
Commissioner, New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
Submitted Testimony

 

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

8:00 - 8:30 AM

STAFF STATEMENT NO. 14
Crisis Management

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”
Submitted Testimony

Jerome M. Hauer
Former Director, New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
Submitted Testimony

Edward P. Plaugher
Chief, Arlington County Fire Department
Submitted Testimony

11:00 - 11:15 AM
The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg
Mayor, City of New York
Submitted Testimony
11:15 - 12:45 PM
The Honorable Thomas J. Ridge
Secretary of Homeland Security
Submitted Testimony
12:45 PM

Hearing Concludes. Press Availability to Follow



Current News


The Commission has released its final report. [more]

The Chair and Vice Chair have released a statement regarding the Commission's closing. [more]

The Commission closed August 21, 2004. [more]

Commission Members


Thomas H. Kean
Chair


Lee H. Hamilton
Vice Chair


Richard Ben-Veniste
Fred F. Fielding
Jamie S. Gorelick
Slade Gorton
Bob Kerrey
John F. Lehman
Timothy J. Roemer
James R. Thompson

Commission Staff


Philip D. Zelikow
Executive Director


Chris Kojm
Deputy Executive Director


Daniel Marcus
General Counsel