INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 18 -- Tom Ridge, the secretary of homeland security, told the nation's governors today that the emergency communication system had passed an important test during last Thursday's massive power blackout but that more work is necessary to be ready for possible terrorist attacks.
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In an interview after the speech, Ridge said the six or seven federal agencies involved in the crisis were able within an hour and a half to coordinate essential information and distribute it to state and local governments. But he said that "a couple times we tried to reach mayors or governors who were out of the loop" and had to deal instead with security officials on their staffs. "I'd like to improve the process where we can get hold of major public officials," Ridge said.
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In a private session preceding his talk, several governors complained to Ridge about the vagueness of the color-coded threat advisory system. Ridge defended the scheme and said that if intelligence sources can pinpoint more specific targets, he will share that information with governors and mayors. He suggested that in the meantime they use their best judgment to identify and protect likely terrorist targets.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11367-2003Aug18.html
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