Posted on 09/11/2001 10:00:50 PM PDT by kattracks
New York (CNSNews.com) - A coordinated effort between the New York City and State government along with the US government was underway Tuesday, following the coordinated terrorist attack on New York and Washington, D.C.
New York Gov. George Pataki mobilized the National Guard, and more than 1,600 guardsmen, along with New York State Police officers, were headed to New York City.
Relief forces were hoped to arrive around 5:00 p.m. EDT to relieve New York City Police officers, who have been operating under a heightened state of alert since two jet liners were crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center.
National Guardsmen will be relieving New York City firefighters battling numerous fires in Lower Manhattan, and assist in search and rescue operations once they begin.
The Federal Aviation Administration has shut down all air traffic in the United States until at least 12:00 noon Wednesday.
The FAA has also imposed a quarantine in the airspace over New York City, and the military has been advised to shoot down any aircraft that enter the quarantined airspace.
All New York area airports remained closed Tuesday afternoon. Stringent security precautions have been put in place at the airports, including searches of all people in airline terminals whether they had flights or not.
State Police in New Jersey have blocked the borders into Staten Island and Manhattan. No vehicles except for emergency personnel will be allowed to travel into New York from New Jersey.
The Pentagon has ordered the Navy to send the aircraft carriers USS George Washington and the USS John F. Kennedy into New York Harbor. Both are moving at flank speed toward New York.
The U.S. Air Force has been place flying fighter jets over New Jersey and Manhattan since the tragic events began. Fighter jets including F-18's have been seen streaking across the skies.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is sending eight search and rescue teams to New York City. They are expected to arrive starting early Tuesday evening.
In New York City, Mayor Rudy Giuliani says all city, state, and government office buildings have had gas energy turned off.
All tunnels connecting into and out of Manhattan are closed. All bridges connecting Manhattan to New Jersey, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx are closed to incoming traffic.
Trains are operating in Manhattan, however all trains which use the tunnels under and adjacent to the World Trade Center are suspended.
New York City Police report numerous building in Lower Manhattan are "unstable."
Giuliani says the city cannot even begin to put together numbers of the dead and wounded, saying "The number of casualties will be more for any of us to bear." All New York City hospitals are providing triage and treatment.
Triage locations have also been set up in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and New Jersey.
The city says there is an urgent need for licensed psychologists and crisis counselors. In addition, all hospitals are asking doctors and nurses to come in and help.
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