Yesterday’s Opening Ceremonies for FDIC were even more meaningful to the firefighters gathered than in previous years. The traditional list honoring the fallen brothers and sisters for the previous year weighed more heavily upon the collective consciousness of firefighters in the ballroom, especially in light of the 343 Fire Department of New York (FDNY) members who perished on September 11.
The Opening Ceremonies included a final goodbye to fallen firefighters who perished in 2001; memorials for those firefighters who gave their lives to save thousands on September 11, 2001 in New York; and a call to take the experiences that 2001 taught the fire service and move ahead while never forgetting those who made the supreme sacrifice.
Chiefs, captains, and lieutenants from across the nation took the stage to pay tribute to their own firefighters who perished during 2001. In remembering one of his or her own, everyone related humorous anecdotes that exemplified the fallen’s courage, personality, and demeanor. Through the memorial readings, attendees to the Opening Ceremonies saw glimpses of themselves in each and every firefighter memorialized: the mostly unspoken affection all firefighters have toward their brethren; the humor every firefighter brings with him or her to the station every day; and the turmoil they all feel when tragedy strikes, and their response to a call to saves lives results in losing them forever.
The FDIC lost five staff members/instructors to the terrorist attacks on September 11: Ray Downey, Andy Fredricks, Chris Blackwell, Dana Hannon, and Billy McGinn. FDNY Battalion Chief Gerald Tracy paid tribute to them during his tribute to Fallen FDIC Instructors. Calling to mind vivid memories of September 11, and the many years past here at FDIC and in FDNY-Andy Fredericks and his smooth bore nozzles; Ray Downey and his rescue expertise; and how they helped Tracy when he formed Squad 18. Humorous anecdotes and personal memories of each FDIC instructor demonstrated the Conference’s loss on September 11.
In the concluding keynote address, attendees heard first-hand accounts of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster from Captain Jay Jonas and Battalion Chief John Salka. These two old friends both began their days at totally opposite ends of the spectrum-one off duty at home, and one on duty, responding on the second alarm to the WTC after the first plane hit. Captain Jonas was in the North Tower as it collapsed, and as luck would have it, the collapse ended and he and several firefighters were alive but trapped in Stairway B. Battalion Chief Salka traveled from Orange County to Ground Zero to help in any way he could. Jonas recounted his ordeal from entering the Tower, to deciding, “It is time to go,” one of the most difficult decisions he’s had to make. Salka and Jonas’ paths finally crossed that day, when Salka called Jonas on his two-way after hearing Jonas’s Mayday call, to tell him help was on the way. Jonas finally made it out after three and a half hours. He found his Division Chief who after all that had happened said, “Good to see you.” Jonas responded with a salute and got back to work, again, a common thread among firefighters. He also encouraged those present to keep their skills up, and be a go to guy, because you never know when something catastrophic can occur.
Salka ended the keynote by calling all present to remember the WTC tragedy, but to take all the lessons learned and move ahead, carrying on the tradition of service to the public, but never forgetting those who died on September 11. And quoting one of the brave individuals who helped bring down the plane in Pennsylvania that some have speculated was headed to the White House, exclaimed, “Let’s roll!”
By Chris Mc Loone
