Local, state and federal emergency response to last year's fatal bridge collapse in Minneapolis was commendable but left room for improvement, a new report (.pdf file) states.

When the 40-year-old interstate highway bridge spanning the Mississippi River unexpectedly collapsed Aug. 1, several agencies responded to assist in rescue attempts. More than 100 vehicles fell; 13 people were killed and 121 others were injured.

The U.S. Fire Administration examined the agencies' response to the disaster, finding that interagency training and planning led to an "excellent working relationship" and "outstanding" cooperation between departments. The report noted that the City of Minneapolis was as "well-prepared as any local jurisdiction could be to handle a major incident." For years, the report said, the city had invested in disaster preparedness that included interagency radios, FEMA training and the pursuit of federal grant money for equipment.

Problem areas, the report found, included:

• Lack of an initial unified command post by police and fire departments
• Initial confusion as to which agency was the lead
• Failure by some rescuers to keep their own safety in mind

Most of these concerns, along with several others listed in the report, have been corrected by the jurisdictions involved, USFA said.