Hank Investigates: Targeting Terror

Capt. Larry Ferazani, Cambridge Fire Dept.
"We've got to protect ourselves."

To do that, this federal law requires every community have a written plan for disaster with locations of hazardous materials, an active rescue committee and a chairman in charge of the whole thing.

But as 7News first revealed four years ago, many Massachusetts communities' plans were outdated or nonexistent and this MEMA director had to admit it.

Peter LaPorte, 1998 MEMA Director
"Someone dropped the ball."

But now our investigation finds, this state list reveals that progress is very slow, although these communities now have state-certified local emergency plans, about half the cities and town in this state still do not.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Investigative Reporter
"What are the results to public safety is a community doesn't have a committee?"

Capt. Larry Ferazani
"The community becomes at risk if they don't sit down and plan for these problems we face again they are putting their community at risk."

Plans are supposed to include locations of hazardous materials, plants that use chemicals, incident commanders and rescue instructions. In Boston and here in Cambridge plans are state of the art.

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"Anything in here secret?"

Much of the information is so sensitive, it's released only on a need to know basis.

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"So, are you talking about access, material that may be inside, what’s open and what’s locked."

Capt. Gerard Mahoney, Cambridge Emergency Coordinator
"Floor plans of places."

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"You just don't want that out."

Capt. Gerard Mahoney
"Right, for obvious reasons."

This 2001 EPA directive warns local committees "the threat of terrorist incidents involving chemical and biological materials has increased" and urges committees to "consider the possibility of terrorist events." Problem is if there's no committee, there's no one to consider anything. As Chelsea’s emergency director says, whether it’s terrorism or an accident.

Allan Alpert, Chelsea Emergency Planning Director
"The resources are the same regardless the type of incident your applying it to."

But we found that in more than 170 communities, plans are still works in progress. Local officials explained that planning is expensive. They said though the feds require these plans, they didn’t appropriate any money to pay for them.

Four years ago, MEMA promised it would bring communities into line.Now officials there tell us that "MEMA does not have the ability to force anyone to do this." As a result, those who help train communities for disaster, warn that the clock is ticking.

Capt. Gerard Mahoney
"It is more than just paperwork… If you have a guideline and a plan to go by, it’s going to make your job a lot easier."

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"And the result?"

Capt. Gerard Mahoney
"To save lives."

To check if your town has a Local Emergency Plan certified by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) click here for a list and more information about the requirements.