story11070.xml

story11070.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-09-15

My name is Nancy Smalletz. I am now 44 years old and live in Boynton Beach, Florida. On September 11, 2001, I lived in West Milford, New Jersey. I was at my day job when we heard the horrible news on the radio. I was also a Volunteer EMT and Firefighter for the town of West Milford at the time. I immediately left the office (with or without pay, I didn't care) to stand by at my Ambulance Station, where I met up with most of the West Milford crew. After an hour or so, when the first building fell, we were dispatched to go to Liberty State Park. I drove one of the five ambulances that left that day. It was a very anxious time, as we headed towards Jersey City. The cars not pulling off to the side as we tried to pass, sirens going off everywhere from fire trucks headed in the same direction, more ambulances pulling on the road as we passed through other towns, and billowing smoke and fire off across the river, from Tower #1. As we approached Liberty State Park, the second Tower had just fallen, as well as a smaller building next to it! It was devestating even from this distance! There were hundreds of ambulances from so many towns parking everywhere in uniform rows. I couldn't believe the turn-out! I remember everyone sobbing and moaning at the sad site, as soot covered people started arriving from boats via NYC. I remember in particular; one lady and one man all dressed up for work. They were holding each other up, as they wobbled towards me in shock and coughing. They had ashes all over them. Their nostrils, their eyes, around their mouths and ears, their cloths, legs and shoes. It was everywhere! I asked them if they needed oxygen and checked them for obvious scrapes or burns. Other members took over and I went looking for other victims. I found many exausted Firefighters overwhelmed by the smoke and soot, as well as other things I won't mention because it's just too graphic. This went on most of the day. At one point, we were all re-positioned to the peers where people in charge set up a "receiving" area for more victims being brought across the river to us. There were showers set up that the victims were required to undress and pass through because of the fuel and such, that may have contaminated them. Then they were to be escorted to a Doctor and a group of 3 volunteers consisting of Nurses, EMT's, Firefighters, etc., that were each stationed next to rows and rows of cots. Each cot had blankets, IV's, medicines, gloves, masks, everything need to care for the victims before determining if they needed to go to nearby hospitals and such. It was amazing how well it was run because there were literally thousands of people to coordinate. By the end of the day, most of the ambulances were either sent home or dispatched to other nearby locations to continue to help. Needless to say, I couldn't sleep that night or many weeks after that, as thoughts of the many other victims (including Firefighters and EMT's) still lay under the demolished towers - not found. God rest their souls and God bless everyone who helped during and after 911. I will never forget it as long as I live! I now live in Florida and am looking to possibly pursue a "career" as a Firefighter/Paramedic. I need to re-school, but it will be worth it! It is a "paying" job for something I love. I just have to gather up the funds; since Florida doesn't pay for school like New Jersey did. If there's anyone out there that would like to help me, I would really be grateful! One way or another though, it will happen - because it's in my blood and my heart is missing something that only a Firefighter or EMT would understand.