September 11, 2001, A Firefighter’s View

This was made from an interview I did with my dad, a firefighter.

September 11, 2001

It was just a normal day. I was scheduled to take a class for firefighters in the bay area. Like always, I would go to 24 Hour Fitness to get my day started. I was on an elliptical trainer when the news came on. I saw that the first plane hit, and honestly I thought it wasn’t such a big deal. I didn’t know it was a terrorist attack. Since I was just about done with my workout, I went back to the station to get ready for my class. As I was about to take a shower, Captain mandated me to stay inside the firehouse. He said that the plane crash was a terrorist attack. Since I was a part of the USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) team, my team and I had to prepare to go to Ground Zero. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) told us to standby and be ready to be sent to New York. A few weeks later, we were deployed as the last team our of 28 USAR teams to be deployed in New York. When I first arrived, there was a lot of military security. Many of the citizens showed their patriotism and volunteered to help. We took the subway to Ground Zero and was told that the wreckage covered ten square blocks. I remember getting off the subway and smelling death. At street level, there was dust, papers, broken glass, and little memorials everywhere. Throughout my days of searching, I did not find one person, only pieces.

To me, 9/11 meant that 343 firefighters died for the lives of complete strangers. It’s really unfortunate that America lost that many firefighters, but that’s our job, to risk our lives to protect yours. As a country, it proved that we are vulnerable to terrorist attacks. I also believe that it brought America together.