By Associated Press
Washington, DC – A Department of Homeland Security survey released Wednesday found there's good news and bad news for emergency agencies in an Alabama region extending east from Birmingham. The region has done a good job using compatible communications equipment in everyday situations, but needs a better plan for coordination in a disaster. The report graded 75 urban areas across the country, measuring the ability of local agencies to talk to each other in a disaster. It found that cities, counties and states generally have stronger policies in place now than they did before the September 11th terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina. The Birmingham metropolitan area was chosen by the state to be graded in the report and includes Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Jefferson, Saint Clair, and Talladega counties. Cities such as Anniston, Gadsden, Pell City and Talladega were also included.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)