Ny B14 Nist Fdr- Project 8- Topics Of Interest And Interview Info 527

Confidential and Pre-decisional Document Project #8 Topics of Interest Command, Control, and Operations: Incident Command System & Incident Command Posts:

When were Command Posts setup and what staff operated the CPs Locations of Command Posts Interagency operations with FDNY, NYPD, PAPD, PANYNJ, OEM, etc. Interagency communications Command communications with FDNY, NYPD, PAPD, PANYNJ, & OEM, etc. If Command Posts were moved, why were they move and to where Problems experienced at the command post Successes at Command Posts Command and Control of Emergency Responders:

Access control at the incident Accountability and location of emergency responders Assignment of personnel at the incident Staging of personnel and equipment Emergency Responders movement and operations:

Did emergency responders report to command post (Assigned, volunteered, freelance) Means of building entry Emergency responder locations in or around the towers (what floor, what Command Post) Emergency responder movement: up and/or down in the towers (Stairs, Elevators) Identify stairs Identify elevator (s) Physiological impact or effects of operating in a high-rise building Situational awareness issues for emergency responders Emergency responder paths and methods to exit the towers Equipment and Operations of Emergency Responders:

Equipment allocation Equipment carried and used Most important equipment used Least important equipment used Search and rescue activities Types of aid to building occupants Types of aid to other emergency responders Problems and hazards identified by emergency responders Positive benefits identified by emergency responders Fire fighting activities and locations What was used for fire fighting (hoselines, fire extinguishers, etc.) Other types of emergency response operations at the incident

Confidential and Pre-decisional Document

•

Communications: Communications Equipment:

Types of equipment used [radio (handie-talkie, portable repeater, etc.), telephone, cell phone, bull horn, runner, blackberry Internet, computer Internet, etc.] Communications issues related to equipment malfunctions or loss (damage, loss of electrical power, batteries, etc.) Communications Problems:

Communications issues related to systems overload Communications issues related to knowledge and/or training •

Building Occupants and Egress: Locations of building occupants How many occupants at a given location needing assistance Conditions in the building at the location of occupants Request for assistance from the building occupants Egress options and means of egress Egress flow in stairways (obstacles to flow) Problems with counter flow of emergency responders Use of elevators for egress

•

Building Conditions: Building damage Smoke Fire Running water, broken pipes Jet fuel Blocked stairways Blocked hallways Broken elevators Locked doors Jammed doors Broken windows Fallen ceiling panels, wallboard, lights, wires, etc. Loss of electricity Loss of sprinklers and water pressure, locations of operating sprinklers Condition of alarm systems, working or not working Function of emergency lighting, working or not working

NIST World Trade Center Investigation Project #8, Fire Service Technologies and Guidelines NIST Interview Information The information in this document applies only to the NIST portion of your interview. The collapse of New York City's World Trade Center structures on September 11, 2001, was the worst building disaster in recorded history. Thousands were killed and injured, including the deaths of over 400 fire and emergency responders. In response to the WTC tragedy, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting a federally mandated investigation into the collapse. NIST is a non-regulatory agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce and is conducting this investigation under the authority of the National Construction Safety Team Act (P.L 107-231). The investigation is strictly one of fact-finding. No part of the NIST Investigation report can be used in any suit or action for damages. You are being asked to voluntarily participate in this investigation. Your cooperation with the investigation involves participating in a 2 - 4 hour personal interview with a representative of the NIST investigation staff. The purpose of the interview is to gather information about your experiences on September 11, 2001, including information related to egress, evacuation and rescue; building conditions; function of communications; dispatch of emergency responders; functions of incident command; command decision making processes; and inter-department operations. Benefits: While there may be no benefit to you individually, the WTC investigation is aimed at gathering information to help improve building and fire codes, standards, and practices. The investigation also seeks to improve the way that building professionals (e.g., facility owners, contractors, architects, engineers), emergency responders, and regulatory authorities prepare for and respond to future disasters. Ultimately, the goal of this investigation is to improve public safety. Risks: Because the interview involves the recollection of a traumatic experience, you may experience emotional discomfort. Our investigation staff is trained in the interview process and will be able to help you address any discomfort you may encounter. Moreover, you may choose to stop the interview process at any time. Declining to participate or stopping the interview does not affect any of your rights. Finally, a list of free counseling services will be provided to all participants. Confidentiality: Pursuant to an agreement between NIST, New York City (NYC), and the 9-11 Commission, the following people may be present at your interview in addition to yourself and the interviewer, who may be a NIST employee or a NIST contractor: up to two NIST observers, one 9-11 Commission observer, one NIST attorney, one attorney from the Office of NYC Law Department and one attorney from FDNY or NYPD as appropriate, and one attorney representing you, who may in certain instances be the NYC attorney. Absent your consent or a court order, NIST will not disclose your name or other identifying information (except that, if

you are/were a high-ranking officer, your rank or position may be disclosed in a final report to the extent necessary to fulfill NIST's mandate). NIST will oppose any subpoena or other request for disclosure of any notes or other documentation or memorialization of the interviews. Voluntary: Your participation is voluntary. If you choose not to be interviewed, NIST will not take any further steps to interview you. You may choose not to answer any question, and you may choose to withdraw all of your answers at any time during the interview or at the end of the interview. You may take a short break or stop the questions at any time. Any of these actions will not result in a loss of any benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. Information: If you would like more information about this investigation, please feel free to consult our web site at http://wtc.nist.gov. If you would like to speak with someone about the investigation, please contact NIST through the NYC Law Department.

Documents

2

12/12/03 6:03 PM