Report on Los Angeles Airport Shooting Cites Poor Communication

When a gunman opened fire at the Los Angeles International Airport in November, poor communication and coordination among emergency officials led to a chaotic response that left victims waiting for responders and passengers stranded without information, according to a report reviewing the emergency response to the episode.

Incompatible radio systems, for example, made it impossible for the airport police to communicate with city Fire and Police Departments, which meant senior officers arriving at the scene had no idea where to go or what others were doing. In addition, the report said, it took nearly an hour before multiple command posts between Police and Fire Departments were coordinated. Almost no communication had taken place between command posts, which lacked basic tools like airport maps and aerial photographs, and the airport’s emergency operations center, which was staffed by an untrained midlevel manager.