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American Morning

Cleanup of Ground Zero Officially Ending Later This Morning

Aired May 30, 2002 - 07:39   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The cleanup of ground zero officially ending later this morning, but the job of providing help to the people whose lives were changed forever continues. This just-released video is from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, they've been documenting ever since day one of the recovery operation. And the Director of FEMA, Joe Allbaugh, now joins us live from ground zero.

Joe, good morning to you.

JOE ALLBAUGH, FEMA DIRECTOR: Good morning, Bill.

HEMMER: This project ended three months early. It actually cost less money than initially thought about eight or nine months ago. What do you think accounts for those two factors, Joe?

ALLBAUGH: Well, this is a resilient city; this is a resilient country. It shows the American spirit, which is "can do." It's what separates us from every other part of the world. We've done this in eight months and 19 days, without any loss of life, without serious injury, working 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

New York City's Department of Design and Construction has done a fabulous job. And it's to the credit -- the men and women who have done this job, like they're doing at the Pentagon. They're four months ahead of schedule there. Actually, we finished this six months ahead of where I thought we would be on this day.

HEMMER: It's an excellent reflection of not only the American spirit, but the New York attitude as well, I believe. Listen, what do you think -- given the greatest tragedy ever this organization has faced, what do you think you've learned from this?

ALLBAUGH: We're still learning lessons, Bill. Every day we are. I think communication, taking our job seriously, making sure we take care of our loved ones, not taking life for granted. It is so fragile. 2,823 individuals lost their lives here in New York City; 189 at the Pentagon; 44 in western Pennsylvania; 168 in Oklahoma City. Our life has changed forever. We need to recognize that and plan for the future.

I know today those families who do not have answers yet are first and foremost in our hearts and prayers. Their front and center in President and Mrs. Bush's prayers today. They have a special place in our heart. We will not forget them. And we're closing the chapter today, Bill, on the cleanup, but we'll be here for many years to come making sure folks are taken care of.

HEMMER: Joe, go back to the very beginning of your answer. You mentioned the word "communication." What do you mean by that? What could have been done better there in terms of communicating?

ALLBAUGH: Well, we don't have any national standards, Bill, insofar as communication. Fire departments, police departments, emergency medical technicians, all work on different frequencies. And we're about the business of protecting lives and saving property. And any time we inhibit the ability for professionals to respond to any type of disaster, that means we're going to cost lives and expose more property.

So President Bush is moving forward with a first responder program. And we're going to make sure that we set national standards that all communities can communicate with one another in times of need.

HEMMER: On the private side, Joe, you know there have been complaints, especially recently, about your organization not getting the aid to the families, the victims, the families who need it the most. What has been done to rectify this, number one? And how much of a small percentage is being talked about here, Joe?

ALLBAUGH: Well I think you're talking, Bill, about the mortgage and rental assistance program. To put this in perspective, the North Ridge earthquake in California, 750,000 people registered for that disaster. We've had a little over 75,000 register here in New York City. This program was primarily designed to help individuals for a short period of time. It had nothing -- Congress had no idea that we would have to use this and really push the boundaries in a manmade disaster.

I have stepped forward and asked for a review of the applicants who have been turned down. Each one of those individuals will be individually reviewed. Also, many people who received packets have not turned those packets of information back in so we can help them. This program expired May 1st. For future disasters, I've asked Congress to step forward, and I think they will, to extend this program and give us greater flexibility to help those individuals who are in need.

And, Bill, let me say that folks who have not registered still have time to do that until September 30th. And let me give you that 1-800 number.

HEMMER: Sure.

ALLBAUGH: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) 1-800-462-9029. It's not too late. We can help you now, we will be here for years to come.

HEMMER: Joe, thank you -- 800-462-9029, the number given. Joe Allbaugh, Director of FEMA out there at ground zero.

ALLBAUGH: Thank you, Bill.

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