We run to the coffee shop to escape the breezy, frigid weather of mid 30 degrees. I laugh as Jenny almost runs into a bussiness man, and we continue to weave through people. When we arrive, I have to order for both us. “Hi Jenny, what can I get for you guys today?” the cashier asks. “I would like a caramel latte, and she would like a hot chocolate.” Stephanie hates coffee, but I can’t stand hot chocolate. When I look at Steph, she gives me these wide eyes, which tell me I forgot something. I turn to the cashier lady, “Also, could I have a peppermint stick in the hot coco?” I should have known to never forget the peppermint stick; she can’t drink it without it. *** I stop to stare at the calm morning sky. Like every other day, I thank God and pray that everyone will be safe on this beautiful Sunday. I pray that my little girl will be …show more content…
healthy, and my husband, Michael will have a full and bountiful life. As I open the door to the firehouse, the beacons of sunlight bathe the room, and the peacefulness of the room sets me at ease. I tiptoe to the company journal to find out only two jobs went out last night, which in the bustling streets of New York City was considered extremely slow. Today, I am working a 24 hour shift, which I do every two days. I begin my shift by checking my bunker gear on the rig. I double-check to make sure it is stocked and accessible at a moments notice. I then begin my housework: dusting and laundry. We have a crew meeting at 7:30 where we discuss how last night went and anything planned for the day. Today, I need to go grocery shopping, and we have to walk through several businesses in our area to spread fire safety. After the meeting, some go home, some do their housework, and some go workout. text my older sister, Brenda Berkman. I message her… Do you want to come to the firehouse today? It’s my turn to cook lunch. We haven’t seen each other in a while. ~Stephanie Even though she’s about 10 years older than me, she is still my mentor. She’s the one who made it possible for females to be firefighters in the FDNY (New York City Fire Department), and I will be forever grateful for her. I remember when she passed her exam, but failed the physical test to become a firefighter. She petitioned to the court and won; she never gave up. I was to pass the exam to be a firefighter in New York City, just like her. She helped me get situated at my job, too. It wasn’t easy. Nothing was ever done intentionally to me, but I was never “one of the guys”. Chris, a 24 year-old player, told me I bring them down, and they always have to worry about me. I never quit trying to prove myself. Interrupting my thoughts, Brenda responds… I really wish I could, but I took off to volunteer for a local political candidate for Election Day. May be I will stop in sometime. Love you. I look down at my watch, 8:30. I should go to Trader’s Joes. I grab the list on the refrigerator and ask everyone if they want anything else. I get in my car and turn on the 90s radio channel. The song “Seperate Ways” plays. As I park my car, my hand-held radio goes off, but all I hear is static. My phone starts to vibrate with a ton of messages and warnings. The music shuts off as this worldwide news alert goes out on the radio. I turn up the volume to see what the commotion is about. My jaw drops when I hear that at 8:46 that a plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. They have no idea why or how. I immediately turn my car back on and drive towards the firestation. They have to wait to follow orders anyway, and I know I can get there in time. I weave in and out of traffic until I get there. They are loading on the rig, just about to leave. I hear Chris sigh in the background, but I keep my head high. Jason, a nice guy and all, offers me a hand, but I grab the bar instead. I never see someone offer a hand to a guy, but I decide to let it go. As we leave the station, I start to get ready. I put on my boots and tighten my suspenders. I then secure my waist belt and button up my coat. I take out the picture of my daughter, Madison, and Michael. They always help me through everything; they are the real heroes. I slip it back on the inside of my coat. I grab my structural gloves because I can easily move in them, and they protect me from the heat. When I finish getting ready, the severity of the event hits me. The sadness, fear, and anxiety comes at once. “Scared?” Chris says. Some laugh, but I don’t respond. I look around at the guys, and they are all jumping. They are hyped, and this is what I do not understand. They do this so often. It helps them “get pumped up for the jobs”, at least that’s what they always say. Some even take pictures. How can they do this when something so terrible is happening? Did their parents ever teach them manners and proper etiquette? I look down and begin to pray. I pray that God will take care of these people. That God will help me through this horrific event, and that many people find safety. I do not pray that I will live because how can I when all these people are dying; however, I pray for eveyone’s families affected by this massacre. I pray for my husband that he will be able to find peace in whatever happens, and I pray that my daughter is brought up in good care even it is not mine. I look out the window and see the tower for the first time. The blazing fire consuming the floors one by one. The thick gray smoke billows into the once blue sky like a veil of darkness. Debris rains anc covers the ground like a layer of snow. A plume of fire explodes in the blackness causing me to jump. I stand up and look in disbelief. Can this really be happening? My fellow firefighters and I gather around the department radio waiting for news.
The Captain calls in. “After discussing with everyone to make a plan, they have split up the duties,” he pauses. “Some departments are going to help staging the area on the Brooklyn side of the Battery Tunnel, but we are going to help the civilians. We need to direct people out and get as many to safety. Meet me a block away from the World Trade Center, many firefighters are arriving here. That is all.” There was barely any traffic near the towers because the roads were closing, and everyone was fleeing. Once we arrive to the site, all the guys are calm now like reality finally hit them. We all file out into what seems to be a crowd of firefighters. I put on my helmet. The Captain pulls us aside, “Do your best. I know God is with us today…” When we realize he is giving no further instruction, we all depart. I run until the towers are 100 ft away. I pick up the dust and sift through it. I couldn’t believe it, but it’s true. This is really happening. As I look up at the tower again, I realize if I can save one life, that is enough reason to keep
going. I run to the first tower. There are a lot of first responders, but it simply wasn’t enough. Debris is coming down. Smoke is building up on the side of the building. I squint my eyes that’s when I notice people jumping. In the first fifteen minutes, Port Authority officials wouldn’t allow for tenants to evacuate the building. What were they supposed to do? I continue to direct civilians to safety. At this time, the smoke seeks out any place unhabited. After every cough, I gasp for air. The smoke slowly immigrates through my lungs, burning an invisible hole that will soon be overcome with illness. Debris from the north tower come down, and I hear a man yell, cutting through the air like a sword. He knows death awaits. I run over, sweat dripping, trying to get the him out. When I reach the man’s body, I realize I wasted my energy. There’s nothing left of him. Blood drips down into a puddle beneath the pile of skin and bones. Tears bubble in my eyes, which I try to fight back. Just when I thought the worst was over, a hear a buzzing sound. It continues to get louder as I see a plane crash into the north tower. Now, I know this can not be something random. This time a tear falls uncontrollably. I continue to sort through all the rubble and materials from the tower, hoping that no one is stuck. Everything seems to be pulverized and unrecognizable. I keep taking off piles of wood when I find a firefighter helmet. I try to pick it up when I realize someone is wearing it. “Help!!!” I shriek. Two firefighters run over, including Jason. We continue to dig him out until just his legs are under. When I get a glimpse of his face, I realize it’s Chris. “Chris, can you hear me?” “Why are you yelling so loud?” He whispers. I sigh in relief. “Good to know you’re still yourself,” I say. Jason and another firefighter start to carry Chris off when I hear something I never thought I would from him. “You make us proud….” Another tear trickles down my face. *** It’s Christmas Eve, and I find myself wandering to the old coffee shop, where Steph and I would go as kids. Stephanie was one of the many people from 9/11 who was never found. Her jacket and helmet was found on a little girl, but that is all we recieved. I had to attend many funerals of friends, colleagues, strangers, and my dear sister. The worst was hearing in the news about the 343 firemen that died. The reporters never mentioned my sister who heroically gave up her life, or the NYPD officer Moira Smith, EMT Yamel Merino, or PD Captain Kathy Mazza. It was always the policemen and firemen that gave the ultimate sacrifice. Everyone deserved to get recognized because they all gave their lives for others. My sister gave up her family for people she didn’t even know, just like everyone else did. Once I get to the front of the line, I order a hot chocolate and sit by the window. I gaze out at the stars and wonder what my sister is doing right now. When I look outside, I see two young teenager girls sitting at a table, laughing. One has a peppermint stick, which reminds me so much of Steph. She could never drink one without it. For a split second, I see her, but I remember she isn’t here. My heart feels empty again, and I must have been staring at them too long because when I look up I see the girl in front of me. “Excuse me,” she says. “You’re missing this.” She hands me a peppermint straw, and I refuse to take it. Out of the no where, I know I must have it. I reach for it uncontrolably and thank her. In this moment, I am overcome with love. I realize Stephanie is here, and she is always be with me.
In 102 Minutes, Chapter 7, authors Dwyer and Flynn use ethos, logos, and pathos to appeal to the readers’ consciences, minds and hearts regarding what happened to the people inside the Twin Towers on 9/11. Of particular interest are the following uses of the three appeals.
A time to remember those who died, those who served, and those who carry on.” Unknown. During 9/11, the Manhattan firefighters were responding to a gas leak when they heard the explosion from one of the twin towers. Policemen and firefighters from all around New York and surrounding areas came to help rescue the victims.
The bombing of the World Trade Center was nicknamed “the Big One”, causing a sixteen alarm fire. FEMA’s Incident Commander (IC) arrived on the scene at 12:48 and began assessing what needed to be done: over 50,000 people needed to be evacuated, thick black smoke was filling the building and could not stopped, numerous people were trapped in elevators and personnel on the top floors were breaking glass raining it down on personnel on the ground.
At 'Ground Zero' on September 14, 2001, President George W. Bush did many things to restore the confidence of the rattled and scared population. Unity was a key role in the success of this speech. The whole time that he made his speech his arm was wrapped around a firefighter at the scene which not only showed ethos, but also made them look like good friends and it showed a sense of stability and unity, “Throughout most of his speech, he kept his arm wrapped around a lead firefighter working at the scene,” (Docan.) In addition, he said how the local area was connected to other people who where hurt ar...
“ Park right there so we can be right next to the store.” “What flavor are you going to get” Nish asks. Cherry coke I reply. I walk into the local 7 Eleven on Garth road and greet Sal. “Hola Dorianna medium iced-tea lemonade as usual?” “Not today Sal” I replied. I walk to the corner of the shop where all the slurpee flavors are and get a big gulp. I slowly pour the cherry coke flavor slurpee into my cup and go to the cashier to pay however, once I arrive at the cashier, I realized that I forgot my wallet. Without thinking twice about it, I decided to leave the shop with my slurpee. We left the shop and stood outside of 7 Eleven and just slurping our slurpees.
My heart was thumping wildly, “What if I mess up?”, “What if I ask the wrong questions?” “What if I get them mixed up?” I was just before panicking. I arrived at the coffee shop where Mrs. Cleantech and I agreed to get together. We decided to meet at 3:00 to avoid the large lunch and supper crowds. What timing! We met at the front door! I asked the hostess if we could have some privacy. She was accommodating and guided us to a small table in the rear corner of the room. My confidence was rising, I think I was appropriately dressed! I was wearing my black slacks with a light green jacket. Mrs. Joe Cleantech was wearing simple clothes; brown slacks and a yellow sweater. We shook hands, introduced ourselves and sat down.
...ed and smoke filled buildings. He had thin gray, almost white, hair that had thinned over time. His eyes seemed to be sunken into his face, and his skin sagged. He looked younger than he truly was, and was acting like it too. He had a family at home, waiting on him to return, or at least praying that he would return. Mychal Judge was the Fire Department Chaplin at the New York Fire Department. He was not required to go to the scene, but chose to do so anyway. Father Judge had been kneeling, giving the last rites to a firefighter who had been killed by a falling body. Because, Mychal Judge was the first to be released from ground zero. This 68-year-old man’s death certificate bore the number one on September 11, 2001. (One Nation 70). September 11. 2001 changed America, and the world, forever. No one ever thought four planes and nineteen terrorist could do so much.
As I got back down to the first floor I heard another loud noise as I got outside I saw another plane had crashed but this time it was in the South tower. I fell on my knees in sadness, I didn’t even have to turn halfway around to see that people were suffering I didn’t want to see. I could hear the sirens of ambulances, police cars, and fire engines. People were screaming everywhere. As I stood up, I turned around slowly, I could see many people crying around me for their loved ones that they know didn’t make it through all of this.
... be fostered. Nevertheless, current coordination is not bad as the MTA is the overall umbrella agency that has coordinated diverse emergency response organizations in the city of New York. For instance, during the time of the blackout, diverse stakeholders shared information although communication systems were weak. The impact of the blackout on the transportation sector and health of New York City was severe and key lessons can be learnt. Learning from past experience such as the blackout in 2003 has been attested by Volpe (2004) who indicates that experience would help improve future emergency response. This can also help design effective emergency policies and plans. Personnel had previously become familiar with each other through day-to-day operations and joint terrorism exercises. However, further research is recommended to expound more on this issue in detail.
September 11th 2001 marks a day in US history that no one will ever forget. The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center that occurred that day resulted in the biggest emergency service response ever in US history. Hundreds of police officers, EMS, and firefighters surrounded the area. However, according to a New York Times article, “The New York Police Department's response to the Sept. 11 attack was effective in many areas but suffered from lapses in leadership and coordination and a lack of proper planning and training, according to a draft report by an independent consultant for the department.” (Rashbaum, 2002)
Within in minutes of the first attack news people and all emergency personnel were on the scene trying to help evacuate the building and get medical treatment to those injured. One person who was on the scene was Lieutenant Terri Tobin who was sent to be the department’s spokesperson for the news media, but quickly became involved in the r...
According to the 911 Commission, fire departments from New York, Port Authority Police and Mayor’s Office responded swiftly. However, some mishaps in technology hurt the whole rescue mission. For instance, the fire fighters’ “radio system failed frequently that morning” thus failure to get information promptly (Dwyer, Flynn, and Fessenden para. 3). The 911 Commission explains that although the radio calls were of high frequency, they were locally connected and had low wattage leading to command transfer failures (281-283). Hamilton points out that the internet might have played a great role in the September 11 attacks (2).
Imagine that you’re driving on an open highway in the middle of summer. All you see in front of you is asphalt for miles and miles. The windows are down and your favorite song comes on the radio. You’re behind the wheel of a Tesla Model S, the newest electric car that can go from zero to sixty miles per hour in 2.4 seconds. This will soon be the future of all motor vehicles. Electric cars are beginning to have colossal impacts on our society because of their energy efficiency, performance benefits, and the fact that they are less harmful to the environment. In the near future, electric cars will dominate the road and eventually the planet’s overall need for oil will decrease immensely.
Specific Purpose Statement: To persuade my audience that that solar power should become the main form of alternative energy in the Unites States.
Charging of cell phone battery is a big problem while travelling as power supply source is not generally accessible. If you keep your cell phone switched on continuously, its battery will go flat within five to six hours, making the cell phone useless. A fully charged battery becomes necessary at times when you need to use them. Here is a simple charger that replenishes the cell phone battery within two to three hour. This device was accomplished by Max Donelan.