The worst terrorist attack on American soil was also the nation's worst communications failure. NBC News correspondent John Seigenthaler reports on what’s being done to fix the problem.
Throughout the doomed towers that day, incompatible radios and overcrowded frequencies plagued New York’s rescue crews.
Firefighters, police, and emergency workers could not talk to each other. Some survivors say radio problems increased the death toll that day.
Now, three years after the towers fell, better technology does exist but not everyone has it – yet experts say it will take time and money. But, some first responders insist more has to be done now to keep Americans safe.
"If another disaster were to strike America today I don't think the public safety community is at the level of preparedness that we should be," says Capt. Eddie Reyes of the Alexandria, Virginia Police Department.
The Department of Homeland Security has launched a pilot program in 10 major cities to train first responders on new equipment they will need to communicate during a crisis.
"They are receiving the money. We are offering technical assistance," says Parney Albright, Asst. Secretary Science and Technology for the Department of Homeland Security. "I think as a result the country is already safer."
But communications consultant Ted Dempsey says more should be done now.
"It’s a step in the right direction but it's still not addressing the overall problem that there are metropolitan areas with police departments and fire departments that can't really talk with each other," he says.
But there may be a solution. Experts say several companies have the technology to outfit first responders across the country using a patching device that works with existing equipment and won't require replacing radios.
The Raytheon-JPS Corporation, told NBC news the cost would be $350 million.
In the long term, costly new technology will be needed but it will cost in the billions of dollars. Until then, critics say more can be done to help first responders talk to each other – and help to keep their communities safe.
