By Tim Bonfield
The Cincinnati Enquirer

From fire departments to hospitals to schools, many Tristate organizations have been increasing preparation for a terrorist attack.

Public safety

Progress

Hundreds of local firefighters, paramedics and hospital staffers have received terrorism training.

Emergency response plans already span county and state borders to establish unified command structures.

Several drills have been held.

One of three regional preparedness coordinators has been hired.

Area hazardous material units and other emergency services have been equipped with increasingly advanced gear.

Challenges

Finding enough money for equipment needs.

Improving protection for police.

Public Health

Progress

Task forces have launched a Metropolitan Medical Response System that outlines how to respond to terror attacks.

Smallpox vaccination for key responders has begun.

Challenges

Improving state lab capacity for rapid analysis of samples.

Connecting smaller, rural health departments and health facilities to the state system.

Expanding computer databases to track disease without violating privacy laws.

Expanding around-the-clock access to public health officials for hospitals and community doctors.

Hospitals

Progress

Nearly all Tristate hospitals have updated disaster plans to factor in biochemical attack.

Access to stockpiles of smallpox vaccine and other critical supplies have been arranged.

More staff has been trained to recognize signs of anthrax, smallpox and other biological weapons.

Challenges

Funding for special equipment and renovations for decontamination.

Staff reluctance to take smallpox vaccine.

Providing the equipment and people to handle mass casualties.

Schools

Progress

Local schools have expanded emergency management plans to cope with terror.

Challenges

Not all schools have given teachers terrorism training.

Only some have directly informed parents of updated plans.

Airports

Progress

Airports, airlines and the federal government have spent hundreds of millions on new security measures, including the creation of a new agency, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Passenger inspections have intensified, and are now conducted by federal workers nationally.

Many more flights carry sky marshals.

The TSA will next month become part of the Department of Homeland Defense.

Challenges

Many, including Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, still aren't using electronic equipment to scan every piece of luggage as required by Congress.

Scanning machines are in short supply and disputes remain over who should pay for them.

Transportation

Progress

The TSA is starting to focus on ports, railroads and highways.

Challenges

Congress is becoming wary of the legal and economic impact of limiting free movement of goods.

Private sector

Progress

Many industries that handle large amounts of hazardous chemicals were required several years ago to study worst-case scenarios.

Nearly all companies with chemical processing plants and storage tanks have stepped up security.

Many employers got a crash course in mail-handling security after the anthrax attacks.

Challenges

Educating more employers about shelter-in-place procedures.

Convincing more manufacturers to invest in containment projects and to switch to safer chemicals.

Public awareness

Progress

Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge is announcing a new national initiative to improve citizen preparedness.

Media attention about personal protection has increased.

Challenges

Many people remain unaware of the concept of shelter-in-place and of the meaning behind color-coded terror threat alerts.

Reporters Cindi Andrews, James Pilcher, Jennifer Mrozowski and Sue Kiesewetter contributed.