MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Monday, September 11th, marked the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attack, a day that unified the Nation in the wake of tragedy. Countless Fire crews and law enforcement sacrificed themselves on 9/11 and those in uniform today, comment that preparation and communication are still key ingredients in any response call.
“One of the biggest problems was communication the police couldn’t talk with the fire who couldn’t talk to the ambulance so there was a real problem and since that time I know in Michigan, we now have the 800 megahertz so everyone can communicate to each other,” commented Marquette County Sheriff Greg Zyburt.
“I’ll say one of the biggest benefits that we have here in the city is we have really quick response times since we’re here 24 hours a day. The city is only 12 square miles we can get to the scene relatively quickly,” explained Marquette City Fire Department Captain Kirk Volger. Fire Departments commented that even though preparation is done in advance, time is still the enemy in any situation even in the UP.
“Pretty much anything we do if you look at EMS if somebody’s having a medical emergency we want to get to them as soon as we can and get them to definitive care as soon as we can so that’s that time…fire same thing,” continued Volger.
For any situation that deals with a high level of stress, first responders train the intensity rigorously, closely identifying how the body responds to stress. They comment that even 22 years later putting on the uniform is a way to honor those who served on 9/11.
“I think one of the ways the fire service looks at that is that especially like the NYFD is that every single call that comes in and you go out to service the community is a way to honor those members that came before you,” continued Volger.
