NEW YORK FIRE CHIEF LEARNS FROM OMAGHS
New York fire chief learns from Omagh's experiences
BY JACQUELINE COURTNEY
IT was a disaster which shook the world on that nefarious clay in the recent history of New York. Thousands were killed and those who survived the 9/11 attack continue to live under the threat of another terrorist strike.
One man who knows what it is like to live under that heightened fearful menace is Captain Frank Leto, Deputy Director of the Fire Department in New York.
He is one of the 14-person delegation from New York which is visiting Omagh this week and he took time out from his packed itinerary to speak of his personal involvement with his city's tragedy.
Captain Leto is a veteran of the NY Fire Department. In his outstanding service to New York City he has been cited for bravery on five occasions. But on revisiting that terrible day he recalled that 343 fire-fighters lost their lives and 3,000 people were killed.
"We felt it was our responsibility to the remaining fire fighters and their families to reach out, educate them and organise counselling.
"Some individuals were very traumatised because nine months on they were still waiting for the remains of their loved ones to be brought home," recalled Frank.
For some families the trauma went on for months and months and many are now living with that trauma and that grief.
"When representatives of the Trauma centre from Omagh came to New York in October we were very interested to hear what they were saying.
"They talked about a model they were using in Northern Ireland and were excited about it. We wanted to know more. People in Northern Ireland have longstanding trauma and we were interested to hear how they were helping them. As our experience was relatively short we knew we wanted new ways to work effectively with our fire fighters," said Frank.
The American delegation is studying the model to bring it back to New York where, according to Frank, a new normality has replaced the old.
"There is always a current terrorism threat to New York that it will be the place for a new terrorist strike, said Frank.
"That is always a threat hanging over the heads of the fire-fighters and any time they respond to a call they know that could be the call," said Frank.
Therefore emergency teams are constantly being trained on different types of biohazards and nuclear dirty bombs.
"I think there is a new heightened normal in New York. We will never forget what happened and those were lost but we have to move on. For some this has proven very difficult, but many have been able to do so. And for those who cannot it is our responsibility to help and to get those people to the help," said a determined Frank.
Frank's association with the Counselling Service Unit began over 10 years ago as a crisis counsellor for traumatic events such as line of duty deaths and mass casualty events.
In response to the tragedy of September 11, Frank developed innovative outreach and education programmes for firefighters and their families who experienced trauma.
Before concluding he said the firefighters have been given a terrific reception during their visit here.
"The people are terrific and I intend coming back with my family because I am blown away by the beauty. It's spectacular and the food is great as well," concluded Frank.
BY JACQUELINE COURTNEY
IT was a disaster which shook the world on that nefarious clay in the recent history of New York. Thousands were killed and those who survived the 9/11 attack continue to live under the threat of another terrorist strike.
One man who knows what it is like to live under that heightened fearful menace is Captain Frank Leto, Deputy Director of the Fire Department in New York.
He is one of the 14-person delegation from New York which is visiting Omagh this week and he took time out from his packed itinerary to speak of his personal involvement with his city's tragedy.
Captain Leto is a veteran of the NY Fire Department. In his outstanding service to New York City he has been cited for bravery on five occasions. But on revisiting that terrible day he recalled that 343 fire-fighters lost their lives and 3,000 people were killed.
"We felt it was our responsibility to the remaining fire fighters and their families to reach out, educate them and organise counselling.
"Some individuals were very traumatised because nine months on they were still waiting for the remains of their loved ones to be brought home," recalled Frank.
For some families the trauma went on for months and months and many are now living with that trauma and that grief.
"When representatives of the Trauma centre from Omagh came to New York in October we were very interested to hear what they were saying.
"They talked about a model they were using in Northern Ireland and were excited about it. We wanted to know more. People in Northern Ireland have longstanding trauma and we were interested to hear how they were helping them. As our experience was relatively short we knew we wanted new ways to work effectively with our fire fighters," said Frank.
The American delegation is studying the model to bring it back to New York where, according to Frank, a new normality has replaced the old.
"There is always a current terrorism threat to New York that it will be the place for a new terrorist strike, said Frank.
"That is always a threat hanging over the heads of the fire-fighters and any time they respond to a call they know that could be the call," said Frank.
Therefore emergency teams are constantly being trained on different types of biohazards and nuclear dirty bombs.
"I think there is a new heightened normal in New York. We will never forget what happened and those were lost but we have to move on. For some this has proven very difficult, but many have been able to do so. And for those who cannot it is our responsibility to help and to get those people to the help," said a determined Frank.
Frank's association with the Counselling Service Unit began over 10 years ago as a crisis counsellor for traumatic events such as line of duty deaths and mass casualty events.
In response to the tragedy of September 11, Frank developed innovative outreach and education programmes for firefighters and their families who experienced trauma.
Before concluding he said the firefighters have been given a terrific reception during their visit here.
"The people are terrific and I intend coming back with my family because I am blown away by the beauty. It's spectacular and the food is great as well," concluded Frank.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1670
Published Date: 10-Jun-04
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