Issuu

SALUTE TO OUR

EMERGENCY

WORKERS

REMEMBERING 9/11 A special supplement to The News Sun, The Herald Republican and The Star.

Salute To Our Emergency Workers

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September 10, 2016

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The Salute To Our Emergency Workers is a special supplement to the The Star, The Herald Republican and The News Sun which are publications of KPC Media Group Inc. ©2016 All rights reserved ON THE COVER: Emergency service personnel work at the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York City. File photo by the Associated Press.

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September 10, 2016

Salute To Our Emergency Workers

Easy question: Where were you on 9/11? BY MARK MURDOCK mmurdock@kpcmedia.com

It’s an easy question to answer. “Where were you on 9/11?” The response, without fail, contains the words “I’ll never forget …” The United States would never be the same after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. For first responders and those charged with the safety of others, the day carries a combination of sadness for those lost, willingness to do their part, and resolve to be prepared – always. For all Americans came a heightened, if uneasy, awareness. The day also brought some good, with many advances in the way agencies deal with emergencies and work together in a crisis.

Permanent images Auburn Fire Chief Mike VanZile was working part-time at Therma-Tru in Butler while also serving as a shift captain with the Auburn firefighters. “I remember calling here to the station, and all the guys were around the television,” VanZile said. “Over there, we didn’t have a TV to watch, so we just heard scuttlebutt. They filled me in on what was going on. “I’ll never forget coming home that night. Everyone thought gas was going to run out, and there was a big line at the gas station at 7th and Duesenberg. Cars were all the way down Duesenberg. I don’t know what caused the gas crisis.” Tom Shoemaker, EMS director of Parkview Noble EMS, was at the state EMS conference, being held near the airport in Indianapolis. He was on a committee doing interviews for the Larry Myers Memorial Award, a prestigious honor given to a top EMS worker each year. “We heard about the first plane, but we really didn’t even know it was a jet that had hit the World Trade Center,” Shoemaker said. “Some of us left to go to the interviews. Then we started to hear things, and we got to a TV.” That explained the crazy scene he saw next. “As far as you could see there were airplanes trying to get out of the sky as quickly as they could. We had heard that airspace was closed. They were just lined up in the sky,” he said. Fremont Schools Superintendent Bill Stitt felt the memories would be important someday for the students at Fremont See 9/11 page 4

MARK MURDOCK

Auburn Fire Department Station 2 has this beam recovered from ground zero as a tribute to those whose lives were taken on 9/11. From left are Captain Ken Knox, firefighter

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Salute To Our Emergency Workers

9-11 From page #

Middle School, where he was principal at the time. “One of our retired teachers called into the office, and asked if we were watching the news. I walked to the media center, and right as I turned on the TV, the second plane hit,” Stitt recalled. “We opted to let the kids watch. My philosophy was that this will be something they’ll remember the rest of their lives, just like my parents did with the assassination of (President John F.) Kennedy. We didn’t want to take that away from them. Then, as adults, we were there to answer any questions for them.” Stitt’s view of the sky was the opposite of Shoemaker’s, but just as disconcerting. “We’re right on the Detroit to Chicago flight path. To look up and not see any planes was really strange,” he said.

What can we do? DeKalb County Central Communications Director Bill Hunter wanted to do his part, even though he had already served his country in the Air Force. He was working at a 911 center in Tennessee which he helped to develop practically from scratch.

September 10, 2016

“I was getting my coffee, getting ready for work, and it came up on the news,” he said. “I was on inactive reserve after retiring from the military. I tried to go back on active duty. They said no.” Shoemaker believes EMS officials and workers all had the same reaction. “Everybody who served EMS started wondering what if that was your city. All of us would have went in,” Shoemaker said. He said those who died in service are mourned, but “every one of them would do it again.” Many improvements in dealing with emergencies came out of 9/11. “The fire service and what we do today, there are things we do differently based on that day,” Van Zile said. A lot of things came out as far as the National Incident Management System. It affects firefighters today in the different training that they take.” NIMS allows all government agencies to work together seamlessly to handle a crisis, from the size of 9/11 down to much smaller incidents. Being able to communicate on the same radio channels – a hindrance to police and firefighters in New York that day – is now being made possible. Shoemaker said other improvements have been seen in hazardous materials

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More vigilant It’s not the same being an American after 9/11. “It makes us more aware of the potential of terrorist threats,” Hunter said. “It was not just 9/11, but the Oklahoma City bombing and a lot of the home-spun terrorism we’ve seen. It changes the awareness we have to have. “People are more aware of the world around them. The United States is not the secure island it once was.” “It was the first time a terrorist attacked our homeland. All of a sudden you become vulnerable. You kind of think you’re exempt, and today we know that’s not the case,” Shoemaker said. “You’re just more aware of your surroundings. You’re more observant.” Along with that, people are more willing to do their part, Noble County Sheriff Doug Harp feels. He was chief deputy at the time of the attacks. “I was in the office and we happened to have a TV on somewhere,” he recalled. “It was after the first plane hit. There was a lot of discussion that something didn’t seem right, and then when the second plane hit, there wasn’t any doubt in anybody’s mind that this was an act of terrorism. “We got a lot more serious in taking a look at terrorism. A lot of it is just awareness by law enforcement. Obviously, we’re not New York City, but the citizens we serve and protect are more apt to come forward and give us information. Every community has people that have the potential to cause problems and violence.” He wants people to err on the side of caution. “With our interaction and public service, and our talks with service clubs, we generate a lot of questions about

We wish

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our police officers, firefighters, paramedics and utility workers for their service and dedication.

City of Butler

terrorism,” he said. “If you get that hair standing up on the back of your neck or something just doesn’t seem right, call us. “We’ll send someone, and it might be nothing. If it is, no harm, no foul. But we look at things a lot closer locally.” Stitt said 9/11 “got the ball rolling” as far as heightened security at schools. All doors are locked at all times during the school day. He said Fremont made several improvements over the summer to improve the security of its buildings.

Remember A year or two before 9/11, VanZile attended the Get Out Alive Program in Indianapolis. The training class included several firefighters from New York City. One of them, Billy McGinn, was killed when one of the towers collapsed on 9/11. VanZile pointed him out in a group picture. “It’s not like he was my best friend, it was only for two or three days. But I knew him,” he said. Outside Auburn Fire Department Station 2 is a 9/11 monument featuring a twisted beam recovered from Ground Zero. The Auburn department built a brick display area at the station’s entrance. With all of terror events in the world since, and unrest across the country, VanZile feels 9/11 has been pushed out of some people’s minds. He hopes the monument can help change that. “We encourage people to stop by on that day to remember. We built that for that reason,” he said. “We were pretty fortunate to get that piece of history. It’s a constant reminder to stay vigilant. We don’t take anything for granted. The threat’s still there. “I would encourage folks to stop by and have a moment of silence, and thank the Lord we can still carry on. Just remember there were a lot of sacrifices were made that day. If they drive by, and even if they don’t want to get out of their cars, just think about it.”

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September 10, 2016

Salute To Our Emergency Workers

Volunteer firefighter numbers called dangerously low BY MARIAH MILLER mmiller@kpcmedia.com

Local fire chiefs report a dangerous decline in volunteer firefighters, which may lead to bigger issues of community safety. “I’ve been at the fire department since February 1992, and I can’t think of a time where we’ve been worse off as far as recruiting,” said Kirby Hobbs, chief of the Waterloo Fire Department. Most area fire departments run mostly on volunteer efforts and report an average of 100 runs a year, with 70-75 percent of all calls being medical emergencies. Collectively, chiefs say a comfortable number of firefighters at each fire location is about 30, but many departments are running at or around 20 volunteers. For a basic structure fire, at minimum, 15-20 men are required to operate safely, chiefs say. See FIREFIGHTERS page 6

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FIREFIGHTERS From page 5

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“As far as finding new guys it’s tough,” said Aaron Orwig, captain of the Corunna Fire Department. “You can get people to sign up or show interest, but once they start classes, they get overwhelmed and quit. My first two years in the department was nothing but classes. It’s a lot, especially when you work a full-time job. “I’ve been on since 2009, and we’ve had four or five guys that have made it through the program. You just have to really want to do it.” To become a volunteer firefighter, a recruit is required to finish state mandatory training and certifications including Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, Hazmat Awareness, Hazmat Operation, and AED and CPR certifications. The state also requires yearly training sessions to stay current on certifications and procedures. “By the time everyone gets done, it’s about seven months of training. That’s not even medical training — that’s just strictly fire,” said Ashley Fire Department Chief Dave Barrand. “It’s hard for us to keep our numbers up, because a lot of our members are getting older. It’s become really hard to get new people involved,” Barrand said. “Other than the time, it’s just a different world, it’s a different society,” said Steve Johnson, fire chief for Jackson Township south of Auburn. “There used to be a waiting list to get on. Now we’re running at the bare minimum.” Volunteer firefighter staffing,

More calls, less help Volunteer firefighters make up 69 percent of the nation’s fire service, yet the number of volunteers has declined by about 12 percent since 1984. At the same time, call volume has nearly tripled. In addition, the average age of the volunteer fire service is increasing as departments are finding it difficult to reach millennials — those within the 18-34 age range. — National Volunteer Fire Council

especially in the daytime, has become critical in many rural areas. “The thing that’s scary is when you have a person that gets in a car accident or your house catches on fire at 2 a.m., you expect someone to show up, but then people aren’t there, and you don’t know what to do,” said Johnson. “Same thing goes for during the day when everyone is at work.” “There has been a change in the business climate that makes it no longer possible for people to leave work during the day. It’s been a gradual change over the last 20 years,” said Gerald Sprague of Ligonier, the Indiana Volunteer Firefighter Association’s 6th District chairman. “If we get a structure fire during the daytime, you automatically call in to other towns for manpower.” Corunna Fire Chief Dennis Treesh added, “As far as the decline in volunteers go, I think it’s because it eats into personal time spent with family or at their daily job. I think it also has to do with the training and time it takes to become certified. “When I got on in the late 80’s, it

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was: here’s the pager, here’s the key, when the tone goes off, show up,” said Treesh. “I’m not saying the training is bad, it just takes more time than before.” “A lot of it is people’s time. They don’t have a lot of time. And everyone knows it’s a dangerous occupation, so that’s another downfall,” said Barrand. “A big issue with volunteers is losing them to paid positions with other fire departments,” said Chief Mike Meek of the Angola Fire Department. Another factor that deters people from volunteering is a lack of incentives. Some departments run on a point system for compensation at the end of the year or offer a $100 stipend for protective clothing and vehicle expenses such as gasoline. “We’ve tried to get the state to pass legislation to hang out some carrots for volunteers, but nothing came of it,” said Sprague. “The Indiana Volunteer Firefighter association is currently trying to come up with incentives for recruits as far as compensation.” Some chiefs say the younger generation shows a lack of interest to volunteer personal time. “I hate to say it, but I believe it’s a generational thing,” said Treesh. Hobbs agreed, saying, “The younger generation just doesn’t seem to be about volunteerism. They’re more about, well, ‘What’s in it for me?’” “It’s a sad state, and I’m concerned for the future. I don’t know what the issue is, whether it’s a generational thing, if it’s a time thing, I just don’t know,” said Johnson. Sprague said, to put it simply, “We just need volunteers.”

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September 10, 2016

Salute To Our Emergency Workers

Police shown continuing appreciation KPC NEWS SERVICE

ANGOLA —Police locally are still getting gestures of appreciation despite nationwide protests. Protests have been over recent police shootings of people in U.S. cities. While Angola Police Chief Stu Hamblen said he and other members of his department are still being thanked, he wondered how many incidents could have been prevented simply by people following directions during apprehension. “Unfortunately, it’s the few. If those people had done as they were told … If police say, ‘show me your hands’ or ‘get on the ground,’ we’re not holding a court system. We enforce it the best way we know how and we need to have the respect,” Hamblen said. “I don’t believe it’s an issue and I don’t feel officers need to be retrained.” The shootings have spiked protests, but Hamblen said he still gets an occasional gesture of gratitude for work he and his department do. “Some people still reach out and some are just people saying, ‘thank you,’” Hamblen said. Hamblen said it would help if people remember police officers aren’t the enemy. “We’ll be somewhere and and I was talking to a gentleman with a son. He said, ‘There’s the police and they’ll take you away.’ I addressed the kid and said, ‘We will not take you away. You’re a good kid,” he said. Others are showing their appreciation of law enforcement in different ways. Tom and Valerie Cochran and their family put up a blue ribbon and sign supporting local police at their home in the 500 block of East Broad Street recently and a movement came from it. The gesture attracted the attention of the Angola Police Department and even Angola Mayor Dick Hickman.

Like the yellow ribbon campaigns during recent wars in the Middle East, the Cochrans were hoping their blue ribbon campaign would catch on. And it did. Hickman saw the photo and liked it so much that Public Square light poles were decorated. “I had that photo texted to me and I thought, ‘man that’s a great idea,’ so I went over and talked to them. I got to thinking, ‘we could actually do that around our circle,‘“Hickman said. Cochran didn’t want credit for something he feels is so simple and a feeling toward police that should be shared by all. After watching coverage of recent police shootings and protests followed shootings of individuals in U.S. cities, the Cochran children, Jeffery, Harley and Jaimi, decided to start a blue ribbon campaign. The children made the hand-lettered blue ribbon. A “WE SUPPORT OUR POLICE” yard sign was made at Aardvark Signs and features the Angola Police shield. Cochran, a veteran, said it is all about showing respect and support to the police. “They face that danger everyday and to see that disrespect on TV every night is disheartening. We wanted to do something about it,” Cochran said. “We do appreciate all that they do.” That support has stretched further elsewhere. Members of the Fremont High School cheer-leading squad presented survival kits to the Fremont Police Department that included treats and gift cards. Staff at the Tommy Hilfiger outlet store at The Outlet Shoppes at Fremont made survival kits to distribute to police as a community service project. The kits include various candies accompanied with whimsical sayings on the bags, like “MOUNDS for the mounds of courage you show.”

FILE PHOTO BY MIKE MARTURELLO

Gestures of appreciation toward law enforcement have been seen in the community, like this display at the home of the Tom and Valerie Cochran residence in Angola. Angola Mayor Dick Hickman liked the idea so much that he directed staff to decorate the downtown with blue ribbons to show support for police.

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Pictured are members of the Steuben County EMS, Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department and the Angola Police Department.

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Salute To Our Emergency Workers

September 10, 2016

Churches host Sept. 11 dinner for public servants BY AMY OBERLIN aoberlin@Kpcmedia.com

ANGOLA — Two Angola churches teamed to provide a free lunch to local service providers on Sunday, Sept. 11. Calvary Lutheran Church and Angola United Methodist Church will host a dinner at 12:15 p.m. at AUMC, 220 W. Maumee St. All local public servants and their families are invited. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America holds a national day of service annually, with the motto “God’s work, our hands.” This year, the day falls on Sunday, Sept. 11, the 15th anniversary of the deadly terrorist assaults on the U.S.

Calvary Lutheran Pastor Daryl Emowrey approached several local agencies and asked how his congregation could help them. It came to mind that though there may be few ways for a lay person to help police with their jobs, there is something church congregations do well — potluck dinners. “We do meals all the time,” said Emowrey. “This is something we know how to do really well.” He approached Angola United Methodist pastors Tim Terrell and Tracey Zimmerman. They embraced the idea and welcomed the event at their church, which is located next to Angola

Police and Fire Department and has a large downstairs fellowship area with a kitchen. “I think any time we can support people who run into situations the rest of us are running away from it is a great thing,” said Zimmerman. “Almost all of us have been blessed by a first responder at some time in our lives.” Police, firefighters, first responders and emergency medical service providers are encouraged to take advantage of home-made food and desserts and time to spend together. The event will be casual, said Emowrey, and will not include a formal service.

Fliers have been distributed to public service agencies in Angola, county departments and area towns. All Steuben County first responders and public servants are invited. So are K9 companions. A church member assured Emowrey there would be plenty of dog biscuits at the dinner. The event follows up a Sunday, Aug. 14, initiative when Angola police were invited to the fellowship time at Calvary Lutheran. The church plans to make some coffee mugs that say “serving the 101 lakes.” “This is just a way for us to say thanks,” Emowrey said.

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