Never Forget: 20th Anniversary of September 11
On the morning of September 11, 2001, the nation stood still as reports came in that a plane had struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. As many watched live, a second plane struck the South Tower. Shortly afterwards, a third plane hit the Pentagon and a fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania field after passenger revolt.
In the aftermath of the attacks, first responders from around the country offered to travel east to help in the efforts to support the New York City Fire Department. As stewards of firefighting history, it is important to collect records of this day where so much sacrifice was seen from our nation’s first responders. We understand that the events of this day can be deeply emotional. We thank our participants for their candor in their responses and willingness to share their memories so that future generations can have a greater understanding of the widespread impact of September 11, 2001.
From left: Tim Pogue, Jason Dema, Mark Lockwood, Randy Leek, Gary Pozzi, Will Torres
The Aurora Fire Department chose six individuals to send with the Chicago Fire Department.
Current Battalion Chief Jason Dema, Battalion Chief Randy Leek, Captain Will Torres and firefighters Gary Pozzi, Mark Lockwood, and Tim Pogue, who are now retired traveled with CFD to New York. After a 16 hour drive, they arrived in Manhattan early in the morning and immediately began clearing debris. For five days, the men helped with cleanup and rescue efforts across the site of the attack. During and after their stay, they received countless letters, cards, and words of thanks from the FDNY, New Yorkers, and Aurorans.
Peter R. Kravetz, Firefighter, Skokie Fire Department
Where were you during 9/11 and how did you find out what was going on?
I was at the firehouse and we just had roll call....A FF [firefighter] getting off shift told us to come to the TV....We had no idea what was going on......
What do you remember most (images, moments, stories etc) from that day? From either local or national sources.
Sitting in the TV room and seeing the 2nd plane hitting the tower... All day was just a fog...
How did you document/record this day? Tape news announcements, save newspapers, etc?
I did not save anything but a Newsweek magazine...the memories are still fresh in my head..
How did your department/profession respond to 9/11, both locally and nationally.
SFD sent a van with 6-8 FF on a rotating basis to help....They were not able to help so the guy would provide support and attend memorials..We sent about 40-50 guys total for about 5-6 days at a time...
Did you, or anyone you know, go to Ground Zero to assist with recovery efforts? If so, please describe that experience
yes, I did go...I went with others and were not able to help but we attended memorials of the fallen firefighters...along with many FF from all parts of the country...
What was the impact of 9/11 on how you felt about your job or how you approached your job? Immediately after? After twenty years?
We never know what that day at the firehouse entails...Pray that you go home and pray for all the FF's around the world...
What were the biggest changes you saw in your work and life after 9/11
Guys seem to want to get in shape and know that a fit FF is a good FF
What was the community response to you afterwards because of your profession?
The community was very supportive and still is....holding many 911 memorials throughout the years...
What is something you would tell younger generations about 9/11?
God Bless the United States....It was a dark time and country, we united together with patriotism at a all time high...
Peter R. Kravetz
Al Stensland
Al Stensland, Lieutenant, Skokie Fire Department
Where were you during 9/11 and how did you find out what was going on?
I was coming on shift at Skokie and watched the events unfold throughout the day.
What do you remember most (images, moments, stories etc) from that day? From either local or national sources.
We were at shift change and doing apparatus check outs, when someone yelled onto the floor that the 2nd plane had hit the tower. I also remember all of us standing silent/stunned as we watched the Towers collapse along with that evening when the skies were eerily absent of any planes over Chicago.
How did you document/record this day? Tape news announcements, save newspapers, etc?
I have newspapers from that day and those that followed.
How did your department/profession respond to 9/11, both locally and nationally.
Our level of response, our level of wanting to protect our loved ones and community and wanting to do whatever would could to help, probably more so than any other during my time at the department.
Did you, or anyone you know, go to Ground Zero to assist with recovery efforts? If so, please describe that experience
Our Local sent several different groups of firefighters to attend/assist with the funerals.
What was the impact of 9/11 on how you felt about your job or how you approached your job? Immediately after? After twenty years?
Pride, having a sense of wanting to do more, to be available at anytime to answer a call. Ever since that day, I can not not cry when thinking about or speaking of the events of 9/11. I did not know anyone who died that day and was unable to travel out there to assist with the funerals, which still "haunts" me. Every year on 9/11 is the hardest day of the year for me to get through.
What were the biggest changes you saw in your work and life after 9/11
Awareness levels during our responses and increased training in terrorism.
What was the community response to you afterwards because of your profession?
The community outpouring was a bit overwhelming. Though we very much appreciated the support and recognition, we also felt guilty because we were only doing our job and didn't feel we deserved the amount of recognition we were receiving.
What is something you would tell younger generations about 9/11?
As with several other events in history- Never Forget what happened, Never Forget those that lost their lives and all those that responded. Look back and see how this event brought the nation together and that nothing else matter but being strong, being one. Love your family and never let the little things get in the way.
Jason Equi
Jason Equi, Firefighter, Aurora Fire Department
Where were you during 9/11 and how did you find out what was going on?
I was in the kitchen at station 10, we were having coffee with the news on.
What do you remember most (images, moments, stories etc) from that day? From either local or national sources.
We thought originally it was a building in Chicago until they zoomed out and we realized it was New York. Then the scale of the first impact was obviously much bigger and we realized this was indeed a very dangerous situation. We talked about tactics and how we would approach such a calamity. While I was pouring a cup of coffee the 2nd plane came into the frame and struck the other tower. We knew then this was no accident, and we are under attack. For the first time in my life the world was silent. About an our later or so I went outside and the Earth was still. There was no traffic on the street, no planes overhead. nothing. you could hear a pin drop. It was very surreal.
How did you document/record this day? Tape news announcements, save newspapers, etc?
I have several news papers in a box, but honestly, I never look at them. I watched it happen live.
How did your department/profession respond to 9/11, both locally and nationally.
We went on lockdown, and secured all of our stations until we knew the initial threat was over. Later that day the call came out we were putting together a strike team to go as part of a package with CFD to New York. Everyone volunteered to go.
Did you, or anyone you know, go to Ground Zero to assist with recovery efforts? If so, please describe that experience
We sent a team of six to ground zero. I know all of them. It was a terrible experience from what I was told it was very difficult to offer help as so many departments from all over the country responded. There was so many people it was difficult to coordinate. in a way it was a very beautiful thing, no one waited to be asked, they just went and offered assistance.
What was the impact of 9/11 on how you felt about your job or how you approached your job? Immediately after? After twenty years?
9-11 did not change my outlook on our profession, but it has made us change the way we approach certain things. It was difficult immediately after because the outpouring of support was so overwhelming. Then to see later how easily out of sight and out of mind things become is difficult. it is hardest when people compare things too it. This must have been what Peal Harbor survivors feel, because everyone compares it to them.
What were the biggest changes you saw in your work and life after 9/11
Life is just very different. and not in a good way. We never had a TSA prior to then. your family could come see you off at the gate. We never had to be strip searched to go visit family via airplane. The invasion of personal privacy is the largest impact. The world was very different before 9-11. People were free.
What was the community response to you afterwards because of your profession?
The community was wonderful, and they still are. That is the one thing we have that is different than other careers. Our community has always been behind us, because they know we are behind them. That bond is very special.
What is something you would tell younger generations about 9/11?
Understand that nothing is forever. That's okay, but in order to preserve things the way they are, you have to understand they could all be destroyed tomorrow if YOU aren't careful. We all owe it to each other to preserve ourselves.
Randall Leek
Randall Leek, Battalion Chief, Aurora Fire Department
Where were you during 9/11 and how did you find out what was going on?
Driving home from shift/ Radio news channel
What do you remember most (images, moments, stories etc) from that day? From either local or national sources.
Anger that this evil could happen on our home soil
How did you document/record this day? Tape news announcements, save newspapers, etc?
Newspaper articles
How did your department/profession respond to 9/11, both locally and nationally.
Sent resources both locally and nationally
Did you, or anyone you know, go to Ground Zero to assist with recovery efforts? If so, please describe that experience
Yes. I personally went on the 12th of September with a group of six from the Aurora FD. We went along with a group from the City of Chicago FD.
What was the impact of 9/11 on how you felt about your job or how you approached your job? Immediately after? After twenty years?
It brought a feeling of being a temporary being on this earth. My faith in God was strengthened realizing that when our days of this life ends, what next?, and how quickly and unexpectedly our days can end. This all holds true twenty years later.
What were the biggest changes you saw in your work and life after 9/11
I saw a greater appreciation for the work that first responders do.
What was the community response to you afterwards because of your profession?
An outpouring of appreciation from many in the community which changed greatly as time (20 years) went by. A mainstream media supported narrative of showcasing bad behaviors in the first response fields caused a huge distrust among many.
What is something you would tell younger generations about 9/11?
Never forget how quickly some things can be taken from you, including God-given constitutional freedoms.