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By Bill Peeler IACSP Chapter Director (New York State) On Thursday, September 13, 2001 I was checking my e-mail's for up-dated information on the events in New York City and Washington, D.C. when a plea came through from a member of a mailing list that I moderate that read in the subject line, "Help Requested". In the detail of the message the writer stated that the team he was working with was trying to step-up efforts in the search and rescue mission they were part of in New York City and at the World Trade Center. The team of eleven people had been working at the trade center since Wednesday, September 12, 2001 and progress was slow, only achieving about two feet of digging per day. I immediately responded to the e-mail with my contact information and stating that I could be in the city within a couple hours. I was immediately left a message in my voice mailbox from Sean stating that he would attempt contact again the next morning. The next morning at about 0900 I was telephoned again by Sean who described to me a horrifying description of the conditions at his location within ground zero. After Sean described that he and the team felt that survivors were in a tunnel they had been trying to reach named the "Path Tunnel" and progress was slow at best I interrupted him declaring that I would be there in the matter of a few hours. By the description of the search conditions and the urgency of finding people alive I quickly decided and informed Sean that search and rescue optics were needed as well as communication equipment and fresh clothing supplies for the team. After providing my guarantee that I would be at his location by 1700 I quickly went to work on gathering equipment that was needed. Recalling an advertiser in "The Journal of Counterterrorism & Security International", that manufactured optical equipment. (Instrument Technology Inc) I telephoned ITI's Westfield, Massachusetts headquarters and spoke to a representative named "Karen" who I described the needs in the search and rescue efforts being carried out at the twin towers location. Karen promised that ITI would do whatever needed to assist and would have Jim S, the local factory representative contact me immediately. Needing communication equipment and knowing that both landlines and cellular service in New York was in a gridlock I decided that the most efficient equipment & service would be NEXTEL phones and their two-way communication services. I reached a Public Relations person at NEXTEL in Albany, New York and described the situation at ground zero and the need for COMS he answered with, "how many units do you need and where do you need them." I agreed to pick-up the radios at the NEXTEL office in Albany in route to New York City. Within just a short time after speaking to ITI I was contacted by telephone by Jim who stated he could have seven optical and video units designed for search & rescue to me within three hours. Jim explained the cost to me would be $145,000.00. I explained to him that I did not wish to purchase the units but was looking to gain the use of the equipment. Jim told me he was not authorized to make such an agreement and would talk to Instrument Technology Inc and get back to me. Losing hope and precious time I decided to contact the IACSP ( International Association of Counterterrorism & Security Professionals ) which I am the New York State Chapter Director of. After describing the seriousness of the situation, one of the principals of the IACSP said he would speak with ITI immediately to see what he could do. Shortly thereafter I received a return call from the IACSP to tell me ITI had agreed to donate the necessary optical equipment. Greg Carignan, the President of Instrument Technology Inc, met me in Albany with half of the optical equipment, along with Jim from ITI. With the remainder of the equipment I proceeded to the city and ground zero. Also helping out was Walter Patenaude ITI International Product Manager who spent three days at the site. My wife Tina who is also the Vice President of our company had contacted every car rental company in the area for transportation arrangements for myself and the equipment. Much to my amazement every company flatly refused assistance with Budget Car Rental offering only a discount arrangement even though my company rents at least twice per month from their company. The good news however was she received assistance from the local Wal-Mart who would provide boots, sox and shirts for the team members who were surely wet from the overnight rains at ground zero. Arriving into the city it was noticeable that police patrols were out in force, then the view of Manhattan was observed, Jim and I both reacted with mouths ajar as we first witnessed the so familiar skyline without the twin towers. This site was just the beginning of more emotions that would overtake us both. Finally arriving at the checkpoint at the end of Church Street we were stopped and questioned as to what our business was there. After explanation and providing identification we were escorted by patrol car to the Church street location where we were to meet the team. Driving around the block and past the base of what was the World Trade Center I was visibly shocked at the awesome amount of destruction. Reaching the meeting point it was found that the F.B.I. had taken post with their mobile command unit and our team was moved to an unknown location. After discussion with the F.B.I. and the N.Y.P.D., we responded to the Jacob Center where we met with the command center leader. The sergeant in charge of this command immediately made telephone calls to the central command center located at One Police Plaza. We were made comfortable as we waited for approval to enter the secured area and word on our team's new location. The word came down that entry would not be allowed any longer that evening and we were offered a hotel room. After Jim explained to the sergeant that the equipment we brought with us was manufactured for finding living people and not for recovery we accepted the offer of the room to where we arrived at 0330 AM. Rising the next morning at 0700 we headed back to the Jacobs Center and after some time of no word from the N.Y.P.D. central command and no offer of assistance from FEMA I spoke to one of the governors protection officers. Things begin to turn good again, after some discussion on the telephone with the New York State Police command we were provided with a name from the E.M.O. and a meeting point at a command set-up in a school just through the first checkpoint. We were almost immediately provided credentials for entry and offered anything we needed in way of escorts or vehicles for bringing the equipment into the site. Arriving to the Fire Command Center at ground zero we were instructed that we needed to bring the equipment to the other side of the rubble covering the street. Unloading the equipment from the vehicle, I was assisted by three N.Y.P.D. officers as we set off to the rubble pile where we would have to cross by foot. After the delay in arriving to the site and then being rushed right to the top off the rubble I began feeling the effects of the emotional roller coaster. Arriving to the top of the rubble I was stopped and asked to wait, a fireman had just been found inside of a vehicle at the point where I was crossing. The surreal feeling in the air was obvious as we all bowed our heads in respect for the brave fireman who gave his life and now was found. This was the first of many heroes that were found during my time at ground zero, each time the recovered body was removed by their peers, police removing police officers and firefighters removing firefighters. After delivering the equipment to the designated area I brought Jim to the area where we were met by a rescue team of firefighters. Jim explained each piece of equipment and answered questions of the team. Finally we had accomplished our goal, placing this important equipment in the hands of the people who needed it. After another long night I left for the hotel assigned by the N.Y.P.D. called the Paramount Hotel near "Hell's Kitchen". Arriving into the hotel after another 20-hour day I was greeted by some younger people at the hotel desk who went out of their way to make me feel welcome and who tried to boost your spirits. Offering to pick-up the cost of the parking garage they asked me for the key to my vehicle so they could have it removed from the street. I cannot say enough about the impression these young people and the Paramount hotel made on me, offering anything I needed from the honor bar and friendliness. The next morning after another three-hour rest I returned to ground zero where I found more bodies were recovered while I was away. I saw Jim from ITI off as he was heading home. After another twenty-four hours it was my time to do the same. So I could return again later. I want to say that I never have felt so much pride in our country and the people that make our country, until this experience. From the folks at Nextel, Wal-mart, IACSP and ITI, to the people standing at the checkpoints cheering, I have been taught what United stands for. Bill Peeler New England Investigation & Security Corp. www.neiscorp.com - www.omega-one.com  Return |
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