FEMA unable to set up New York City field office

Lacking a telecommunications infrastructure, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been unable to set up a fully functional field office in New York City. A critical problem is that the main communications center of Verizon, the city's primary telecommunications provider, was in the World Trade Center. Nonetheless, agency officials insist emergency response and relief work is moving ahead.

"We've been able to work around the situation using wireless technology and satellites," said Ron Miller, FEMA's deputy chief information officer. "We understand that Verizon has several priorities. Because of our experience with emergencies, we can supply communications when we don't have the infrastructure in place."

FEMA officials said the field office may not be up and running until Wednesday. During most emergencies, such as those involving hurricanes or tornados, the field office serves as a central coordinating location for everything from counseling to public assistance. But as one FEMA official noted, "this is anything but normal." It's not clear what operations will move to the field office. For now, New York City and state officials are spearheading most of the relief efforts.

"Local resources are generally going to be your most immediate way to respond to an event," said Trina Hembree, executive director of the National Emergency Management Association. "Having a FEMA field office on site, though, [will mean] they will be able to set up a joint operation center with the city and state. They'll all be able to work together in a coordinated fashion to meet a variety of requests. They can monitor the relief situation, gather information, set up hotlines and get information to people that come in needing assistance."