Brandon Rachal

9/11.  12 years later, the tragic terror on American soil needs few words to describe the horror, heartbreak, and tenacity of our people.

On today, while many of us remember exactly where we were and what we were doing, let us not forget the numerous untold stories.

These aren’t the usual stories that may come to your mind.

These aren’t the stories of the multiple families seeking loved ones.

These aren’t the stories of the individuals racing down the streets of NY crouching in allies head to knees praying for an escape.

These aren’t the stories of multiple firefighters, many of whom lost their lives in an American Horror Story come alive.

By no means, do I negate the level of importance of these stories, but today, relevant to what I prepare to do everyday, the stories I pose you to reflect on are those of the “second” responders.

Not those who were able to flee to the scene to battle a treacherous feat (though able and willing), but those who were frantically preparing for the most unexpected “CODE ORANGE”  and “Mass Casualty Drill” they’d only rehearsed in mock drills.  EU’s clearing patients and redistributing triage to assess an insurmountable number of casualties.  Staff nurses preparing and reprioritizing levels of anticipated care.  Charge nurses motivating and leading staff while coordinating care and services.  Senior nursing management activating system level alerts and distributing emergency staff and supplies.  Nurses stepping up, taking charge, and sharing their strength.  The “Second” responders who made condolence calls to family across the states and international seas.  Those who not only raced to care for a wound or fracture, but who lived the experience aside from the dust and fog in a stalk yet frantic and noisy yet eerily silent environment.

On September 11, 2001, I was working as a nurse at New York Downtown Hospital in the Labor and Delivery Unit. The hospital is four blocks away from the WTC.   I was in the operating room preparing for a C-section when I heard a loud boom. A few minutes later, the charge nurse ran in and told us that the WTC was on fire.  A code yellow (disaster code) was announced and all of the staff prepared for the traumas. I called home and told my family that I would not be coming home that night. When the second plane hit, we again heard another big boom. We watched everything from the window. We saw the WTC in flames and debris falling from the building.  When the first building collapsed, the whole hospital shook and was surrounded by a black cloud. It was very scary. The patients were crying and I thought it was the end.

There was a horrid toxic smell penetrating the hospital.

I had a pounding headache and felt nauseous…Everyone was stressed. We had a tremendous influx of patients in the ER.  Many people sought refuge in the hospital, trying to escape the falling debris and choking dust. We triaged many pregnant women who were outside during the attack. They had minor injuries but all were emotionally traumatized. Thankfully, all the babies were unharmed.

All of us stayed the night in the hospital, taking turns sleeping and working…

Excerpt from original article: 9/11 reflections: Jeanne Giorlando-nurse works through the night. (2011, September 01). Staten Island Advance. Retrieved from http://www.silive.com/september-11/index.ssf/2011/09/911_reflections_jeanne_giorlan.html

While I remember exactly what high school class I was in and what it felt like when I witnessed the second tower hit and collapse on television, it is now with much maturity and lived experience as a Pediatric Intensive Care Nurse how 9/11 resonates with me.

Today, while I remember the tragedy of 9/11, I salute our frontline nurses–life’s “Second Responders”

Nurses Killed on September 11

Touri Bolourchi, 69, retired nurse, passenger aboard United Airlines Flight 175

Lydia Bravo, 50, occupational health nurse at Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

Ronald Bucca, 47, fire marshal, New York City Fire Department

Greg Buck, 37, firefighter, New York City Fire Department, Engine Company 201

Christine Egan, 55, community health nurse visiting from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Carol Flyzik, 40, medical software marketing manager, passenger aboard American Airlines Flight 11

Debra Lynn Fischer Gibbon, 43, senior vice president at Aon Corporation

Geoffrey Guja, 47, lieutenant, New York City Fire Department, Battalion 43

Stephen Huczko, 44, police officer, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department

Kathy Mazza, 46, captain, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, and commanding officer, Port Authority Police Training Academy

Michael Mullan, 34, firefighter, New York City Fire Department, Ladder Company 12