11 Sept rescue teams suffered mix-ups

Poor co-operation between New York's police and fire departments created a string of problems during the World Trade Center attacks, a report has found.

Too many officers were at the scene, there was insufficient liaison between the emergency agencies and no clear line of command was established, the study by management consultants McKinsey said.

The report praised the emergency services for helping to get 25,000 people out of the burning towers before they collapsed, the biggest urban evacuation in history.

But it said the large numbers of firefighters and police officers at the scene, many of whom had come of their own accord, created discipline problems.

Many were not prepared for a terrorist attack and did not have the right equipment.

Communication between the agencies was made worse by an inadequate radio system. In perhaps the worst instance, the fire department could not receive information from police helicopters hovering above the twin towers warning that they might collapse.

More than 400 emergencyworkers were among the 2,800 people killed in the World Trade Center attack.

The police and fire de par tments have pledged to improve their working relations and to plan together for any future disaster.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the two agencies were coordinating their radio communications systems instead of being on separate frequencies. "This examination of our performance will help make us a stronger department.

"None of the findings detract in any way from the heroic efforts of police officers and firefighters that day."