Job Talk: February's Story
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Submitted by Chicago Firefighter David
Twenty-Four years ago on September 11th, I woke up and went to workout in Downtown Chicago. It was leg day. I was on the leg press machine.
There was an announcement, that the gym was closing and everyone had to go home. After I changed, I went outside and the streets were filled with people. Some were crying, some were screaming. I didn’t know what was going on. I heard people talking and someone say, “Howard Stern said a plane just hit the Twin Towers.”
I thought it was a joke. Got on the train and started hearing other people say the same thing. I got home, turned on the TV and the second plane just hit. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I watched the news all day and thought I was watching a movie, but it was real.
I felt helpless cause there was nothing I could do to help. That night I told myself I wanted to become a Chicago Firefighter. It took some time, but eight years later I became a Chicago Firefighter in 2009.
I just celebrated 16 years of service. Every year on 9/11, I do the stairs in full gear and tank. I hope I never have to experience what those firefighters experienced. I hope we never see another 9/11 again.
Stay safe and take care.
What influenced you to pursue the fire service? Let us know in the comments below, or submit your own job talk story.
Retired DOD Fire Chief 35 years. Base Fire,Crash,Rescue 1955 to 1991 Navy & AF/ FDs Base 11th Naval Litchfield AZ. Base started as a Booter Firefighter tailboard man . We Cross manned Crash & Structural . Base A/C was Corvare prop job jets had not came in yet 1955-1961 ,Base closed and I went from one shift Navy to next shift Luke AF/ FD Glendale AZ. Base A/C F-100 @ F-86 A/C .TAC Base training pilots . 24on – 24 off . My 3 Day break Wednesday! Went to all Naval Firefighting schools and all AF training schools plus Nationall Fire Academy,Emmitsburg . Worked my way up the ladder from Booter to Chief.l am now 90 Years Old 25 Feb . Was a great career and have done it all . Yes I have had Life / Death experience’s just like all Firemen have , Never have been involved in High Rise situations. I understand it as in my career I was on Rescue 13 years and had my experience’s. Firemen went in Towers to do thier job we all would ! I was in NY city and went to Rescue 1 Station in Manhattan N.Y. I met and visited with the one man that survived that call as all rescue men were killed doing thier job . He was off duty and on his way in to station . There were Pics of all his brother Fire men on wallIn Aparatus Room . I had My Grandson with me we visited and I Got a T-Shirt and hat from him . He also gave me a small Firemens Bible “Answering The Call “New Testament , I have found in my career that most people no nothing of DOD Firefighters or Firemen in general , when we respond we never know what the situation is until we’re thier! Same is true with IFEs . You learn to save the ones you can and Pray for the ones you can’t . And Yes Firemen do Cry.we all try to put on the Maucho look but that changes quick in our jobs , God has been with me on many IFEs and structural Fires and Crashes . We all have a certain degree of PTSD it’s impossible not to have , Ever person deals with it differently.God Bless All My Brothers Out There.Retired Chief Shaw
I can’t believe my story was picked and shared. I’m honored. Thank you!
I came into the station to begin my shift a dc when one of our firefighters that was born in new york advised me that a plane hit the towers. We thought is was an accident till I happen to walk back to day room to see the second plane hit. Our chief advised for all doors to be closed and lock down the station. I was working in a station in sarasota county but south of the presidents location. One of the most upsetting day of my 34 year career
Awesome.Be safe
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