As we continue to work on upcoming special coverage of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania, I thought we would provide a brief update. As of Jan. 11, 2002, four months after the terrorist attack on America, the bodies of 137 of the 343 FDNY firefighters lost that day have been recovered from “Ground Zero” at the World Trade Center complex. Steel and debris have been removed from areas as far down as the lowest level, Basement B-6. Debris remains in the Basement B 2-3 level in other sections. Two access roads constructed to allow demolition equipment to the lower levels of the site will be removed soon, replaced with a bridge for access for the heavy equipment. Those areas that had not been searched will be the focal point. At one point during the debris removal, 34 cranes were on the site, with 19 working at one time.
Firefighters continue to operate at the site 24 hours a day. Steelworkers and the grappler machines used to remove pieces of steel have been invaluable. Minute by minute, flatbed trucks are loaded with pieces of steel and removed to a barge nearby, then ferried across the harbor to a recycling plant in New Jersey. Lines of dump trucks move into position and are loaded with debris. After the dump trucks are filled, another takes its place seconds later. This continues around the clock. The first of four proposed pedestrian viewing sites has been constructed to allow the public a glimpse of the 16-acre site. The site and the several blocks surrounding area had been closed to the public since Sept. 11.
Air monitoring continues around the site and throughout the nearby neighborhood. Many firefighters who operated at the site during the first few days after the attack have suffered lung problems and are on medical leave. Medical monitoring of the department continues until each member is tested. Some new fire apparatus has been delivered by various manufacturers. Numerous engines, ladders, elevating platforms, rescues and special units are being built. A statue of the three firefighters raising the American flag at “Ground Zero” taken from the now-famous and probably the next Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph is planned to be erected outside of the FDNY Headquarters in downtown Brooklyn. Apparently, two of the three white firefighters in the photo have been replaced by a Hispanic firefighter and an African-American firefighter for use in the statue. Much is being debated about the political correctness of the statue versus the actual firefighters who took part in the real event. Many have their own opinions on how the statue should look.
Last month, we called for fire departments to be prepared for the worst in dealing with worldwide terror. The potential of more attacks in the United States exists. Since then, I have talked with several fire departments across the country that are or have been preparing for potential incidents involving weapons of mass destruction. There is a trend toward increasing crews or placing additional hazardous materials units in service. Special units are handling and assessing calls to save larger units from responding to wild-goose chases. Increased use of safety equipment, monitoring devices and testing equipment has taken the forefront. Medical precautions and antidotes are now being carried on a wide variety of rigs to treat first responders.
In this issue, we provide the next in a series of Quick Guides for Responders, “Managing the Consequences of a Chemical Attack: Command Action Guidelines,” which can be found on pages 73 and 74. As authors Deputy Chief Ted Jarboe and District Chief Bob Stephan of the Montgomery County, MD, Fire & Rescue Service say, “Preparedness is the key to effective incident management.”
Special congratulations to the following contributors: District Chief Mark McLees, who was designated chief of training for the Syracuse, NY, Fire Department; District Chief Bob Halton of the Albuquerque, NM, Fire Department, who was also tapped to be the new chief of training in his department; Battalion Chief John Norman III, who was picked to lead and put the FDNY’s Special Operations Division (SOC) back together after it lost 95 firefighters at the World Trade Center; Battalion Chief Michael Bryant of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the visionary behind the “East Meets West” fire training conferences, to assistant fire chief, Technical Services Division; and to Dave Jacobs, who was promoted to battalion chief in the Seattle Fire Department and who is a vital part of the “Vision” series of fire training conferences.
