Newsletter article featuring NYU engineering interview, Sept 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

*************************** CONTENTS

1.0 *Featured Article* : 1.1 Interview with Michael Rawlings, Director of Engineering & Project Executive at NYU Downtown Hospital: "Physical Plant Issues at NYU Downtown Hospital During the Attack on the World Trade Center"

2.0 Contact Info for *Bernstein & Assoc., Architects* *************************** 1.0 *FEATURED ARTICLE*:

1.1 Interview with Michael Rawlings, Director of Engineering at NYU Downtown Hospital: "Physical Plant Issues at NYU Downtown Hospital During the Attack on the World Trade Center"

The September issue of our newsletter is focused on the challenges faced by one of our clients, Michael Rawlings, Director of Engineering & Project Executive at NYU Downtown Hospital during the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center. For those unfamiliar with that hospital, NYU Downtown Hospital (formerly known as Beekman Downtown Hospital) is the only Hospital south of Houston Street, and is approximately (3) blocks from the World Trade Center. Michael's ability to calmly and successfully meet a wide range of challenges, during a crisis, is an inspiring story.

Michael was kind enough to detail his experience for our newsletter. Here is his story, roughly in his words, as told to William N. Bernstein, AIA, principal of our company:

"NYU Downtown Hospital had recently revised its Emergency Management/Disaster Plan, as of January 2001, to meet the new JCAHO standards. Prior to September 11th, we had conducted extensive training, based on the new plan, which follows the Incident Command System. In fact, we performed a utility disaster drill at the end of July 2001, to test our new plan. So, in a way, we were as prepared for September 11th as we could be. On September 11th, when the first plane hit the north tower before 9:00 AM, many of our staff were still arriving at work. The staff that arrived after the first plane hit were very frantic. Even those inside the Hospital could view the incident since the World Trade Center was clearly visible from our parking lot and main Hospital lobby. When the first plane hit, we immediately activated our Disaster Plans by announcing a Code Yellow and establishing a Command Post. All available staff returned to their departments and received specific instructions. All Outpatient and Faculty Practice appointments were immediately canceled, as well as any elective surgeries. The Hospital's Cafeteria was quickly set up to treat victims in anticipation of a patient influx. I was stationed within the Command Post and acted as the Operations

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