In every way I’m a better person, friend and rescuer since my response to New York City during September 2001. Specifically, I am more comfortable with my emotions than I ever was before. Like everyone else, I had to learn to deal with lost friends and teammates and our inability to rescue anyone. I’m not as afraid to cry, and I hug my friends more now than I used to.
I value my close friendships much more than I did five years ago. Life seems more fragile than it used to. Knowing that makes it easier for me to be honest with my friends and family; I understand complete honesty is a lifetime pursuit, but seeking it brings an inner peace that I never knew existed before.
At 9/11, as a FEMA US&R rescue branch director, I was a broker between a litany of disorganized elements and the mission at hand. Local responder infighting (traditional and appropriate post-incident shock), union labor, convergent lunatics and scene carnage of biblical proportions gave me experience that cannot be taught. I have used that experience to improve my leadership and negotiation skills. For example, during my response to Hurricane Katrina, one group of highly burned-out law enforcement officers ordered us at gunpoint to off-load 36 invalids onto the interstate at 0100 hrs. No food, water, shelter or medical support was present. As the hair was standing on the back of my neck, I had to remain calm while negotiating some sanity for these evacuees; any show of excitement would have ignited a horrible melee.
My personal comfort comes from the realization that our country, by design, ultimately grows stronger and wiser in the face of adversity.
–Michael G. Brown, FEMA US&R Virginia Task Force 2/IST-Blue
The terrorist attacks of 2001 have changed us all forever. Although we may not talk about it every day, we think about it. We see our fallen brothers in one form or another every day and attempt to honor their memories. On that day, we all lost a sense of security that may never again be regained.
As a fire officer, it has heightened my awareness of my surroundings. The things that were once benign are no longer just looked past. The abandoned derelict vehicles that once littered the streets of New York City are now looked at more closely. People who behaved strangely and were really given no notice are now scrutinized. We look at how people are dressed and ask, “Does it fit with the weather or are they suspicious?” Even things as inconsequential as a stray wire now get attention.
As a boss, you are responsible for all of the members of your crew, and as a captain, you are responsible for all of the members of your company 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. We train harder, more often and on more tools and procedures than ever before, and sometimes, I still feel as though it is not enough. We train on hazmats, biologicals, chemicals and radiologicals, in addition to our standard fire operations and any other special operations in order to prepare for what may come next.
I guess in a nutshell, I have changed my attitude toward training and the safety of my people. We cannot train enough or prepare enough, and my paramount concern is that all of my people go home safely at the end of each tour. After all, it is commonly said that we have to be right all the time; they have to get it right only once.
–Tony Tricarico, Captain, Squad 252, FDNY, Special Operations
Dealing with tragedies and intentionally cruel events like 9/11 can harden a person. It would be easy to become pessimistic about the events in our world. But I learned that there are still men and women, from all walks of life, who are willing to give of themselves to help others. I learned that people from all over the world will send whatever they have in an effort to relieve the suffering of strangers.
We go on calls and pass civilians who don’t give us a second thought; they very likely have no idea of all the training and work that it requires to be a first responder. After 9/11, you are cheered as though you were a celebrity. People want to shake your hand and thank you for your work. I learned that we are not taken for granted. I became aware of the tremendous dedication and capability of these first responders. I learned that all over this country, firefighters, police officers and EMTs share common goals, wants and fears. And someday, when my grandkid asks me what I did during the War on Terrorism, it will be my honor to say I was a first responder.
–Lt. Steve Shupert, Miami Township Fire Department, Montgomery County, Ohio Task Force Leader, Ohio Task Force 1 Leader at WTC
Operating at the World Trade Center has changed much about me, especially my performance at work. Like many other Americans, I choose to stay vigilant toward the threat of terrorism. Perhaps this hypersensitivity to the issue is unusual, but I truly feel another event is likely. In fact, every time we pull out of quarters, we see the 19 memorial plaques on the firehouse wall. These plaques memorialize the 19 firehouse members who perished on 9/11. With this said, I continuously prepare myself academically by pursuing a college degree in the field, reading manuals and reviewing terrorism-related Web sites. In addition, classroom-type training and hands-on drills allow me to hone my operational skills. Finally, my “size-up” of an incident has adapted to a post-9/11 world as well. I now approach an incident with some trepidation, always thinking of consequences and alternate scenarios. Safety is paramount.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, the FDNY has improved so many different aspects of its operational readiness. New and updated equipment is plentiful, and training is abundant for the entire department. In fact, the FDNY Training Academy is alive with a constant flurry of activity. Although we continue to train for fire suppression, rescue scenarios and EMS responses, the mitigation of hazardous materials situations and of weapons of mass destruction incidents are now on the forefront of training. The fire service is a changing force, and we must remain cognizant that the frontline is right here in the communities we protect.
–Joseph Cultrera, FDNY, Haz Mat-1
On Sept. 11, 2001, our world was in its darkest hour, but through the darkness, a ray of light appeared. The silhouette of firefighters searching for those lost became a symbol for the world, not because so many were lost, but because so many were inspired to hope. This experience causes us in the fire service to deeply reflect on how we can further fulfill this mission of hope.
Five years ago, I stood in the lobby of the World Trade Center as a battalion chief; today my duties take me into the world of counterterrorism and preparedness. I still command at fires, but my job now entails understanding the threats and vulnerabilities of New York City. I interact regularly with law enforcement and homeland security as I assist in preparing the FDNY for the next major incident.
The FDNY has created a Center for Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness and has formed an incident management team to manage major disasters, especially urban terrorist incidents. Our core competencies of firefighting, pre-hospital medical care, search and rescue, hazardous material mitigation and arson investigation have been enhanced and structured into a tiered system of a layered resources containing incrementally higher special response capabilities. The department has also developed a network-centric command system that integrates voice, data, video and interagency information to assist our fire chiefs in decision making during complex incidents.
–Joseph W. Pfeifer, FDNY’s Chief of Counterterrorism and Emergency Preparedness
I don’t believe the 9/11 events changed me as a firefighter or a member of a FEMA team. I do think they changed me as an individual-the same way Oklahoma City changed me, but to a different degree. I now take no day for granted. I take no relationship, no love, no friendship for granted. I expect that they can end in the blink of an eye, without me being able to do anything about it. People and things you think will be here forever, well, it’s just not true.
I think the World Trade Center event made me realize that we need-all of the fire service needs-to stop paying lip service to saying we are prepared for anything and actually do something about it. It has made me realize as a citizen that sometimes you have to give up your freedoms in defense of freedom.
As a firefighter, I think it changed the public perspective, but not enough for them to want to raise taxes to pay for more firefighters. I see politicians, especially at the local level, preaching about how much they respect their firefighters and police officers, while failing to fund the initiatives that are needed to prepare for the next 9/11. I see a complacent America, a complacent political system and, in some areas, a complacent fire service that is going to have to wait until the next 9/11 to really understand what 9/11 meant. It’s only a matter of time before we are hit again.
–Chase Sargent, FEMA IST Operations Chief-White
We worked the rubble pile, rubbing shoulders with other true patriots not only from New York, but from all over the country. Fear, anguish, sorrow, anger-it was all there, tempered by honor, duty, service, sacrifice and a pride of purpose that was bigger than all of us put together. Five years later, I wonder how so many Americans still share that same sense of purpose, and how so many emergency responders have truly “not forgotten,” because those of us who were there can’t and won’t forget, despite the fact that we probably need to move on.
After having spent several weeks on the front lines in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina with a tactical water rescue team, I have to ask: “Where is the National Mutual Aid System?” We needed one on September 11; we needed it again during Katrina; and we need one now, for whatever is yet to come.
If there’s anything I’ve taken with me from Sept. 11, it’s this: The gatekeepers in every community are fire, police, EMS, emergency managers and public works personnel, and they need to be “interoperable.” Good communications and a spirit of cooperation is the key because it always comes down to face-time and respect. You’re only as good as your last call or training exercise!
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) and resource typing are the cornerstones of a National Mutual Aid System. Everyone needs to be onboard and actively working toward those standards. Out of respect for and in memory of all those who were lost that horrible day, we need to become stronger, wiser and more deliberate in our actions, strategies and long-term planning. 9/11 should be the battle cry that unites all emergency responders across this country in a singular purpose and goal.
–Harold Schapelhouman, Deputy Chief, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, California Task Force 3
I responded with the FEMA US&R Incident Support Team on Sept. 15. I went to the Pentagon first but they had enough folks there so on Sept. 19, I went to the World Trade Center, where I worked until Sept. 28. I have experienced personal changes as well as a major career change after responding to the World Trade Center.
In April of 2003, I resigned from my position as major with the Pierce County (Wash.) Sheriff’s Department to become the full-time program manager for Washington Task Force 1. Being involved in such major national events such as the Shuttle Columbia search and Hurricane Katrina is both humbling and a tremendous learning experience. Each time I return from an incident, I share what I have learned with anyone who will listen and try to improve our local plans and teach other responders how to avoid some of the pitfalls and mistakes that cause big events to be so frustrating. Now that my full-time job is exclusively US&R, I look forward to every day at the office, knowing that what I do is going to mean that the next time our US&R task force is needed, it will be there quickly and the right people and equipment are available to help another community in a time of need.
In addition to a significant career change, I find myself living life for today. I no longer put off until later what I want to do. I take time to enjoy life and be with family and friends. I no longer participate in high-risk sports like I used to and have found more relaxing and less stressful outlets for my energy. Specifically, I used to be an avid mountain climber and an active volunteer in the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA). I no longer climb and have retired from active participation with the MRA after I lost my older brother and two friends in an avalanche in February 2003 in the Canadian Rockies. Losing my brother so soon after 9/11 really made me think about how short life is. Climbing is a private sport-one that took me from my family-so now I try to spend more quality time with my family.
–Tom Minor, Program Manager, Washington Task Force 1
