The FDNY yesterday released its first-ever comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy in hopes of improving its response to future widespread emergencies and are emphasizing improved communications, increased training, and better cooperation with federal and other city agencies.

A major tenet of the plan is the newly developed “tiered response” to major events.

Instead of simply flooding a disaster area with elite squads, the department will instead deploy a more balanced mix of units in hopes of avoiding a repeat of the World Trade Center collapse, when much of the department’s senior leadership was wiped out.

This response would also keep some elite units in reserve in case of a second incident or attack, FDNY officials said.

The streamlined strategy also details plans for a greater number of firefighters to receive hazardous materials training and for an increased FDNY presence near vulnerable infrastructure such as bridges and tunnels.

(Source: Daily News)