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Making changes to fight terrorism has been slow in coming in the New York City Fire Department. A lack of money and changing an old political structure has put up some road-blocks in the push to prepare for future terrorist attacks. However fire officials, union leaders and outside observers give Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta good marks in making some progress. Spokesman Frank Gibbon says the FDNY is better prepared today than two years ago. But issues ranging from improving radio communications to bolstering hazardous materials response have fallen short of goals.
And more than 20 percent of the department has retired since the terrorist attack, many for health reasons. The large number of retirements raises concerns about the loss of experience and leadership in the field. Scoppetta says fiscal realities have forced the department to pick carefully from a series of reforms outlined in an independent report. Although new federal funds have helped pay for equipment and training, the department's budget was slashed by $50 million - to $1.1 billion.
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