My Story - 9.11.2001

On Tuesday September 11, 2001 the worst attack on US soil ever to occur rocked the financial district in southern Manhattan, New York.

Anyone who has visited the city or has seen the NYC Skyline the two most predominant symbols were destroyed.

That morning I awoke to my usual morning news show to see a picture of the World Trade Center tower smoking. The news broadcaster stated that a small plane had crashed into the tower. After the shock began to wear off, I remembered the bombing almost 10 years earlier. My EMT background training took over, my thoughts went to that incident and how EMS agencies from throughout NJ were called into NY to assist. I kept listening to the broadcaster state that this appeared to be an accident. The though kept going through my head that there was not a cloud in the sky on the screen, these towers are rather large and impossible to miss. With the television on in the background, I performed my normal morning routine.

I went downstairs in my house to eat breakfast. I turned on the television and watched the live broadcast, again in awe that such an event was unfolding. Then all of a sudden there was an explosion in the second tower. Now I was alarmed and curious how the second tower was effected in such a way. Then the newscaster answered my question, a second plane had hit the other tower. They showed the plane hit the tower in slow motion. I was now already 20 minutes late for work, so I threw a tape into the VCR and started recording the news broadcast. I gave an extra hug and kiss to my wife and daughter as I ran out the door......

I sat in awe all day at work. It hit home when I was notified that my EMS agency was sending personnel and equipment to the scene. It turned out that others had not even gone to work that morning so there was enough personnel and I was not needed. Like everyone I knew, I stayed in tune with the news by whatever means. I called my father, not knowing where he was working in NYC most days. After a brief conversation with him as he attempted to extricate himself from the city to NJ as efficiently as possible. I noticed the tinge of sadness in his voice as he told me that he could see the disaster from where he was.

The rest of the week went on as normal as with everyone in the country I experienced a slew of emotions. I saw pictures from close friends who were staged in Liberty State Park across the river from NY and heard their stories first hand of what they saw. I briefly spoke to friends and colleagues in the federal arena and heard their stories.

Then the call came. I was needed in NYC with my EMS agency. I spoke of the request with my wife and allayed her fears as much as possible about getting injured while performing my tasks in the city. My employer was supportive in my involvement even though there were issues directly related to the incident at the office. My partner picked up the slack for me, thank you.

The day was here. We all stuffed our gear and personal items into 2 ambulances and began our trek into the war zone. First we had to stage in Newark, NJ to sign in and receive more supplies. When we arrived we were notified that the FBI had a security concern about stolen ambulances around the country and to make sure that we had our ID on us at all times. We were also notified that they were only accepting 2 people per ambulance for security reasons. (They didn't want any extraneous EMT's wandering around the scene. It takes a min. of 2 people to perform EMS related tasks). Most of us (5 in one ambulance and 4 in the other) had taken the day off from our jobs and since we were filling in for the night shift, the day was shot if we did not go in. To be the fairest possible, we threw the names of everyone who still wanted to go into a hat. Then 4 names were selected. I was one of the 4 selected.

I prepared to continue on my journey. We grabbed extra food, water, supplies, flashlights, batteries, gloves, masks, and some extra of everything to deliver to the workers on the scene. In a screaming parade of approximately 20 ambulances and paramedic vehicles, we flew into central Manhattan. From Newark all the way to our staging area at the Chelsea Piers on West St there were crowds of people lining the streets screaming "THANK YOU". I kept waiving my hand and moving my lips saying "Your welcome" because I did not know how to react. I was inspired in their show of support. If I had not been responding to this event, I thought, this would have been the best 4th of July parade in my 13 years in EMS.

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