Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Survey of U.S. Cities Preparedness for Terrorist Attack

Aired January 18, 2002 - 06:28   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: How well prepared are U.S. cities for a potential terrorist attack? A new study by our Web site rates the cities.

CNN homeland security correspondent Jeanne Meserve has the results.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In part because it has had to respond to terrorist attacks, New York City stands in a league of its own when it comes to disaster preparedness, according to a new survey by CNN.com.

The transportation and health systems, emergency management and federal grants and training to the 30 largest U.S. cities were evaluated. Among those ranked as well prepared, Atlanta, Baltimore, Miami and Washington, D.C. Among the less prepared cities, Boston, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Philadelphia.

Interestingly, some cities that were well equipped and staffed did not fare well in the survey because traffic congestion would cripple an emergency response.

One of the experts who conducted the evaluation stresses that less prepared does not mean unprepared.

STEVEN CHARVAT, D.C. EMERGENCY MGMT. AGENCY: I think if you graded all of them on an A through F scale, I think at least they would have gotten a C at a minimum, meaning that they're meeting the basic requirements preparing and responding to, you know, any type of disaster be it terrorism or, you know, or something smaller.

MESERVE: Overall, city preparedness has improved dramatically, not just since September 11 underlined the importance of first responders, but since 1996 when the federal government began to give significant attention and funding. Still, only about 4 percent of the federal dollars allocated for counterterrorism reaches local governments.

One security consultant points out that surveys of preparedness may be useful in making the case for more money, but no city can be completely prepared for a terrorist event. GEOFF NAGLER, COMMUNITY RESEARCH ASSOCIATION: So you do as much as you can based on hypothetical knowledge and putting all the different building blocks together to get as well prepared as you can.

MESERVE: But it's hypothetical.

NAGLER: It's hypothetical.

MESERVE (on camera): Smaller cities not included in the survey are likely to be less prepared for a terrorist attack. But because of their smaller populations, they are also less likely to be a target.

Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: If you want to know more, our Web site special report "How Prepared is your City?" can be accessed through our homepage at CNN.com. AOL keyword: CNN.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com