Tahoe firefighters make 9/11 memorial climb
Those who made the climb on Sept. 11, 2014, top row from left, Michael Taormina (firefighter SLTFD), Daniel Vallejo, (firefighter SLTFD), Chuck Malone (captain LVFPD), Michael Anderson (firefighter LVFPD); bottom row from left, Michael Mileski (firefighter SLTFD), Brennen Davis (firefighter SLTFD) and Scott Blasser (firefighter SLTFD). Photo/Provided
By Scott Blasser
On Sept. 11, 2001, our country was attacked. It forever changed our nation in countless ways. In 2009, four firefighters from the Sac Metro Fire Department established a 9/11 Memorial Climb to honor the 343 firefighters that gave their lives on 9/11. The climb is symbolic in nature: 343 died that day, 343 climb to remember.
I am a firefighter for the city of South Lake Tahoe. This year six of my fellow basin firefighters and myself had the honor to make this climb. We donned our turnouts and ascended the staircases of the Renaissance Tower in Sacramento four times to equal 110 floors (the journey
to the top of the once standing Twin Towers). The climb was hot and stifling. Some stopped for breaks to avoid passing out. Some of us poured water on our heads to avoid heat exhaustion.
Our final ascent placed us at the top of the building where we placed the name of the firefighter we carried in a memorial sculpture. We hung their names and stood for a moment contemplating the sacrifice given. The memorial said simply: Never Forget.
On 9/11, 343 firefighters climbed toward one common goal of putting the fire out. The country watched in horror at the events. What I hope the country learned that day is there is no emergency the fire service will yield to.
I have the honor of working with some of the most generous, loyal and funny individuals I know. We love to serve the public. The best part of any shift has and always will be a community member approaching us and striking up conversation. We take complaints and praises alike.
More than anything, we want the public to know we are here for any reason to help. If we don’t have the answer, we will find it.
I believe the public appreciates what we do. We report to duty, train, maintain equipment, run calls and into the evening we wait. It appears simple. In many ways it is. In so many more ways it is not.
We see life and death up close. We see people lose all their possessions. Even worse we see them lose their loved ones. I believe this experience makes us unique. We see a side to life most are unfamiliar with. You might think this makes us callus, but it is very much an opposite effect. A shift that is physically and emotionally challenging sends us home thankful. Thankful we have the privilege to serve. Thankful we are alive. Thankful we could help.
Thirteen years ago tones went off in every fire station throughout New York — 343 firefighters answered that call. They gave their lives going into those towers. They went in with a simple goal: put the fire out.
The city of South Lake Tahoe Fire Department as well as Lake Valley Fire Protection District answers those same tones daily along with every other fire department across our nation. No matter the need we will be there. Further our brothers and sisters in law enforcement give just
as much. We thank the public for their trust.
To close, I would ask the following:
• Never forget the sacrifice given that day.
• Never forget we are here to serve this community 24-7-365.
It is our honor to serve the city of South Lake Tahoe. Know that when the tones go off we will be there to put the fire out.
Scott Blasser is a South Lake Tahoe firefighter.
Thank you for your service and doing your job!
I would like to know if they were on the clock or if any OT (directly or indirectly because they had to meet minimum staffing because some people were doing this) was incurred for this excursion. Either way no tax dollars should be used for this excursion.
To: Really?says
We spent our own money. Drove in our own cars. Paid for our own Hotels. We were all on our off duty days.
I feel a little sad at your comment, but I understand and encourage the discussion at the same time. It is one that needs to be had.
We sometimes do get paid to attend mandatory trainings. Most often we get our tuition covered and we work around our off days and trade coverage to attend. The only cost that comes in these instances is the tuition and nothing more. The trainings allow us to polish our craft and be better.
There are the rare occasions where we have a staff assignment that requires by state or federal law we are trained to meet legal requirments. In those intstances the department will ensure we have what is required by law and yes, pay us for our time.
We did use City property in the fact we represented our department in turnouts that have been issued to us. They are not ours. No damage came to them and we will be wearing those on any call that comes. If that is an over reach to yourself or anyone else I have no apology.
We respect the taxpayer. We work for the taxpayer. We do not want to ever violate that relationship. I hope that calms any concerns.
Scott, thank you for all that you do for our community. If, in fact, you were paid at any time, to give your services, whether it was for training or showing pride in your choice of occupation, I would gladly pay you from my taxes. You deserve it, along with your coworkers, and you are all my hero’s.
To: Really? says
It is unfortunate that you attempted to get a “rise” out of the community and especially fire personnel who volunteered our time to honor those who gave their life. If I could only know who “really?” is, I would invite you into our Firehouse with no other purpose then to educate you on all that we do for our community behind closed doors . As I’m sure you know, fire and police have a heavy heart for 9-11. For those of you who spend their nights and holidays away from their family’s to save a life and protect our city / county-thanks for all you do!
Brenen Davis
Firefighter/ paramedic
Serving our community with compassion, professionalism, and Honor.
Really!! SHAME ON YOU.
To the SLT FD many thanks for all you do for the community. Much appreciated.
Scott, love you letter.
I applaud your 9/11 Memorial Climb in honor of those 343 public service individuals who sacrificed their lives for the general public. To those who made the climb on September 11, 2014, I say well done. Unfortunately some individuals have no understanding of working at a job where you place your life and personal safety on the line every day you show up for work, or of the comradery and dependence shared for your survival, whether Fire Fighter, Police, or Military.
Scott glad to read your letter. Thank you to all our Fire and Law enforcement men and women who serve to save lives along with protect all of us.
Sad to read some comments that imply negative mis-information. All our citizens should be well informed about how much money you must spend yourself to train, equip, and provide tools that should be paid for by our government.
To those who serve and sacrafice as you all do, thank you and God Bless.
Hi Scott,
Your letter and the climb you and your fellow colleagues took on 9/11/2014 is a beautiful tribute to the fallen firefighters who went into the towers that horrible day with heroic efforts and intention to save life’s. They did not 2nd guess going into the burning towers, it wasn’t even an option, it was their job. All of the emergency responders risked their lives that morning, some made it out saving life’s while others tragically perished with thousands of other innocent people in attempts to save life’s and bringing comfort.
I am from the Bay Area but I have lived in Manhattan for almost 18 years. I was in NYC the morning of 9/11/2001and was deeply affected by the events of that horrible day, the days, months and years to follow. My ex boyfriend was in the North Tower and he simply vanished that morning. There is not one day that goes by that I don’t think about John as well as the others who were tragically murdered that day. I try my best not to dwell on the fear, pain and suffering they experienced, it is truly unimaginable so I try to focus on all of the positive qualities of John’s life rather than how he died, the possible fear and pain he endured and witnessed in his final moments.
I remember every moment to moment event of 9/11 from what I wore, how still the September morning air was, the endless sounds of sirens that seemed to go on forever, the sound of low flying fighter jets and helicopters flown in to protect the city and the feeling of my legs giving out as I watched the South Tower fall and then the North tower, time seemed to stand still.
So with all of that being said, really?, whoever you are you should feel embarrassed and ashamed for even asking the question if they were paid overtime for the climb they took to remember their fellow fallen firefighters. I highly doubt you would run into a burning building while others were fleeing. It is clear you did not lose anyone on 9/11 or were even remotely touched by the events of the day. Do you think the firefighters questioned whether or not they would earn OT by running into the burning towers? Or how long it would take to rescue people from the towers or how many of the 110 flights they would have to climb in their turn outs, I guarantee you they did not let the heat of the flames stop them from making the climb to save life’s. I have never been prouder to live and be a resident of New York City than I did that day, New Yorkers are fearless and resilient.
I challenge you, Really? To put on the same equipment and uniforms the firefighters wore to remember the firefighters who fearlessly risked their life’s….if you do it and climb 110 flights I am sure you would have a whole new perspective and appreciation for their heroic efforts, you would not ask the same stupid ignorant questions you asked. As a tax payer I would be proud to pay the OT to the Tahoe firefighters for their display of respect and appreciation not just to fallen firefighters but to the innocent civilians who perished in the towers, airplanes and the pentagon.
I want to thank the firefighters from Lake Tahoe for remembering but mostly I want to thank all of the brave emergency crews who went into the burning towers 13 years ago on 9/11. Life’s were saved because of them and I’m sure the firefighters who didn’t make it out were a huge comfort to the civilians they went into to save.
Thank you Lake Tahoe firefighters for remembering and honoring the fallen firefighters. I will never forget and I will always be thankful for the bravery the rescue crews displayed on 9/11.
I think Really? Owes not only the firefighters who climbed in rememberance but to the families of the people who were injured and murdered. I have to say Really’s response is probably one of the most disheartening messages I’ve read regarding the heros of 9/11.
It not only makes Scott sad but me too, it’s very disappointing.
Thank you Lake Tahoe firefighters and to everyone who refuses to forget!