PVCC Puma Press: October 2004

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	Photo by Phoenix Fire Department
	Phoenix firefighter and dog handler David LaFond tussles with his search and rescue dog, Sunny, at Ground Zero.
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The World Trade Center, New York City, New York. Each floor was larger than an acre of ground. Almost 3,000 dead on that fateful September morning, including many “first responders.” Dust and grime hung in the air like heavy fog. No wind or breeze could dissipate the cloud.

Certainly nothing could lighten our heavy hearts. So said Captain Pete Gorraiz, a 28-year veteran of the Phoenix Fire Department. “I was told, though I didn’t see it, that at the plane’s impact, a steel I-beam hurled from about the fourth floor and fell with such velocity that it penetrated three stories below the asphalt street before stopping in a subway tunnel. After witnessing the overall damage to the buildings, I believed it.”

Within hours, Phoenix responded to the attacks. Arizona’s initial response to the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, came from the Phoenix Fire Department’s Urban Search And Rescue Division. Some 63-department staff loaded tons of gear and themselves into a C5 cargo plane headed for New York City the same morning. At Ground Zero they would practice already well-honed skills, gaining unique experience that they would bring home to better protect Phoenix.

Upon arrival in New York the Phoenix USARD worked 12-hour shifts, sleeping in schools, dormitories or churches. Their duties and tasks varied as much as their individualized training and experience gained from their work in the Valley. In total, approximately 100 Phoenix Fire Department personnel assisted in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 tragedy.

Gorraiz says that during his team’s seven-day stay in New York City, he was continually amazed by the resolute commitment, determination and co-operation of the various city employees, fire, police, and even the citizens working tirelessly to assist in the reclamation of the victims. “From the time a victim was found, to ambulance transport, to delivery at the nearest hospital or medical facility, the teamwork and care was phenomenal,” said Gorraiz.

The specific duty of Gorraiz and their eight-person crew from Phoenix was to visit each fire station affected by the attack. Clinicians, technicians and clergy, led by Fire Department Chaplain Carl Carlozzi of Phoenix, did literally whatever each station needed—grief counseling, general information, even how to launder and clean the clothing and gear contaminated by the many different and varied toxic agents generated by the collapse of the buildings. “We were well trained and prepared,” said Gorraiz.

However, not all the assistance came from humans. Arizona Task Force 1, headed by Captain John Dean provided eight different teams using four search dogs.

“We were in New York for nine days. Our crew of dogs spent endless hours seeking victims throughout Ground Zero,” said Dean, himself a 28-year veteran of the Phoenix Fire Department. “Air quality hindered but did not deter the dogs from locating many victims that otherwise would have not been recovered.” While the expense of the search was paid by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, “frankly, we would have done it for free,” said Dean. “We signed on as fire fighters to serve the public…as a team.”

What would happen in Phoenix if such a cataclysm occurred? Both Gorraiz and Dean are adamant in their opinion that the Phoenix Fire Department would stand up to the challenge.

“We have almost 1,500 Phoenix fire fighters covering over 500 square miles,” said Gorraiz.

“Since 1979, the longest tenured fire chief in the country, Chief Alan Brunacini, has guided us through the training protocol and systems to handle this type of emergency. Can we get better? Of course. Ongoing training and upgraded equipment is our daily focus and mission.”
As Fire Chief Brunacini has often said, “If you’re not training, you’re falling backward.”
Captain John Teefy, a 20-year veteran and the fire department’s representative on the Arizona Homeland Security Co-ordinating Council says, “Our unified command structure is the hand at the wheel of the security of the Valley of the Sun. Tactically, there are no boundaries. We go where we’re needed.”

According to Teefy, bipartisan support for the strategy of response, whether national disaster or terrorist attack is overwhelming. “I have seen the Mayor, Phoenix Police, Phoenix Fire, members of Public Works and the Department of Transportation to name a few representatives, sit shoulder to shoulder in our Emergency Operations Center during a mock emergency. The people of the Valley should be proud,” said Teefy.

Issues that must be addressed in the continual upgrading of the fire department include the need for more money, more heavy rescue equipment, more time, more personnel and the latest in technology.

“ We may not be able to stop a 9/11 but I’m confident we’ll be prepared to deal with it.” said Gorraiz.

The Phoenix Fire Department: Removing the hazard from its citizens or the citizens from the hazard. Forever vigilant and always prepared.