Tag Archives: September 11th

The second set of steps that we climbed to the 45th floor it was me and Willie. The others went on without us. They wanted to move quicker than we could move in our turnout gear. We accepted it. It gave Willie and I time to reflect without anyone within floors of us. Just us...climbing...for the 343. The quiet was only broke by the sound of Willie offering support in keeping me going. His encouragement which I desperately needed. It was tough. Willie wanted to make sure I was alright. Like any great Company Officer he was looking out for me. It was just us climbing, and we were able to pay our respects in our way without any distractions.

Why don't we have any faith in congress? This is a perfect example of why we don't trust our elected officials, why there is no one else to turn to, and why our job demands everything from us without knowing if we or our families will be taken care of.

As you know, Willie Wines Jr., Kevin Totten, and I climbed 110 stories as a part of the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Firehouse Expo. We climbed with 320 others, some of whom we knew already and others who we met for the first time. The event was a huge success. All I can really say is that you have to participate in one to really understand.

The difference between us and them was that we did it in honor of them. We did it without an airpack, without fear, without trepidation. We did it to help others never forget.

Getting it on video...That is the difference between making a great speech to 10 people and making it to thousands. Brian Brush recently talked to a recruit class about what the fire service should mean to them, what it means to him, and why we should take pride in serving.

This latest news segment is about how legislators have imposed a caveat to 9/11 first responders who want to make health care claims via the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. These individuals will have to be cross-referenced on the terrorist watch list. Stewart makes some interesting comparisons to others who do not have to be cross-referenced on this list!

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has uploaded a video for the NFFF 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb held at FDIC. It is available below. I look forward to participating in an event like this one some time soon! Dave Statter shot the video for the NFFF...and I was their to assist. To be clear, I was being held against my will by Dave Statter. I only kept the smile on my face because the NFFF is such a great cause!

Firefighter Quick passed away from injuries sustained as a result of his response to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11th, 2001. Incident Location: World Trade Center, New York City, NY

Firefighter Close Calls has the story on Roy Chelsen. He is a September 11th hero who risked his life to make it back to the North Tower amid bodies falling from the upper floors to warn other firefighters of the towers imminent collapse.

Obama signed the bill during his Hawaiian vacation, with no signing ceremony held. In a statement issued later, the president said he was "honored" to sign the bill, which pays for health care for responders believed to have been sickened by pollution at the ruins of the World Trade Center in New York.