WP: Safety Of Capital Evacuation Reviewed (is/was it neccessary?)

[DeepModem Mom]

Safety Of Capital Evacuation Reviewed
Experts Say Plan Sacrifices Shelter
By Sari Horwitz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, May 15, 2005; C01


Capitol Police Chief Terrance W. Gainer is meeting with security experts to determine whether evacuating 35,000 people from Capitol buildings when a small plane violates Washington's restricted airspace is the safest policy, amid criticism from experts that it might create even more danger.

Gainer said a group of engineers, security experts, social scientists and aeronautical engineers from Texas A&M University has been studying Capitol Hill buildings and terrorist attack scenarios to determine the safest options for those inside the buildings.

The work already was underway when a small plane headed toward downtown Washington on Wednesday created a midday crisis. Unable to establish contact with the pilots, and with the plane coming within three miles of the White House, Gainer ordered the evacuation of Capitol buildings. Officials also cleared the White House and the Supreme Court until the plane was forced to land in Frederick....

***

Gainer said he had to make a complicated, split-second decision to evacuate based on the information he had from the Federal Aviation Administration.

"If happened this afternoon, I would empty the buildings," Gainer said. "A month from now, I don't know."...


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/14/AR2005051401112_pf.html

[ThoughtCriminal]

1. Interior hallways, ground floor

Rather than evacuation buildings, moving to ground floor and interior rooms might be a more reasonable response. But it does not provide good video for Fox and CNN.

[lyonn]

2. Capitol Police Chief made that decision?

That was the Protocol our WH spokesman was referring to? It's getting worse and no one notices. UK Memo either.