US 'unprepared for new terror attack'

The United States remains “dangerously unprepared” to cope with another terror attack, a study found today.

Front line emergency services, including police, firefighters, and health workers are drastically under-financed and lack vital equipment and training, according to the report by the Council on Foreign Relations.

It urged the US to spend another €85bn – up to three times the current amount – to bolster defences against a possible chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear strike.

Former Senator Warren Rudman, who headed the study, said: “We are dealing with the possibility of tens of thousands of casualties. And we must deal with it.

“This is a question of protecting the American people from unspeakable horror.”

Police chiefs around America have complained about the lack of protective suits, while health officials do not have the resources needed to analyse basic biological or chemical agents, the report found.

Most US fire departments have only enough radios to equip half the firefighters on a shift and breathing apparatuses for only a third.

Poor radio communications between emergency services was a serious problem during the September 11 attacks in 2001.

A spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security that the conclusion that an additional €85bn is needed for first responders is “grossly inflated.”

He said officials already have implemented or are in the process of putting in effect others of the report’s suggestions.

The Council on Foreign Relations is a New York-based think tank.