# To my brothers and sisters: FDNY, NYPD **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 12, 2001, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019 "2001-09-12T05:44:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kinoons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a698b9/32.png) [@kinoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kinoons)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/1 "2001-09-12T05:44:54Z")
I, too, am a paramedic and firefighter. My heart is there with you, and our over 200 fallen brothers and sisters. Thankyou for placing yourselves in harms way, protecting those who never deserved to be in harms way. You are serving all of us proudly today. Help is on the way, you will not fight this disaster alone. Be safe and stay low – Today I am very proud to call myself a firefigher and you my brothers and sisters in service. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Stewart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Dave\_Stewart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Stewart)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/2 "2001-09-12T05:47:04Z")
Selfless efforts like theirs are heroic. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/3 "2001-09-12T05:49:22Z")
I am not a firefighter, paramedic or police officer, but those men and women have always had my respect and tonight so many of them and their families have my prayers. Even more so today. When the first tower collapsed, rescue workers turned and ran back to the site to help the comrades they knew were in there, knowing it was dangerous. Doing the jobs they are woefully underpaid for. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/4 "2001-09-12T06:36:53Z")
I have a lot of respect for those who put themselves in harm’s way to save lives. It is not an easy job to do. It requires bravery, physical strength, and not many can do the work. Police and firefighters and paramedics ensure that we all stay safe. **kinoons** , my sympathies go out to the families of the firefighters and police who lost their lives today. And I hope you take care of yourself. Your community depends on you. Robin ---
**Author:** ![Badge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/5 "2001-09-12T06:38:51Z")
When others ran from danger, they ran towards it. Not just because it is their job, but because it is their duty and their calling. To all my fallen brothers and sisters: Hail to the heroes! Badge Detective Sergeant Washington State ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/6 "2001-09-12T10:39:34Z")
I just wanted to mention that NYPD officer and SDMB poster **DreamWorks** is [on patrol](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=1601528#post1601528) elsewhere in the City. My thoughts go out to those members of the NYPD, FDNY, Port Authority Police and other emergency agencies who daily risk their lives and in the past day have gone above and beyond. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/7 "2001-09-12T12:02:27Z")
CNN is reporting that six people have been pulled out of the WTC alive so far - five firefighters and a police officer. My god I hope so. Obviously _any_ survivors would be good news, but for a few of these brave souls who put themselves in harm’s way to save others to be given another chance at life… well. That would be a small mercy on a day that desperately needs a few. Living or dead, they are heroes. ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/8 "2001-09-12T12:15:35Z")
There was one image on TV last night that kept repeating. Every time they would interview a fireman, police officer, or rescue worker, the heroes eyes were all the same. There was not a shred of doubt that they should be there. They were exhausted, hurt, shellshocked, and rightly worried, but they couldn’t wait to stop talking to reporters so that they could get back in there and help. One of my nephews is a member of the Brooklyn FD. We haven’t heard from him yet, but I’m sure he’s on the scene helping where he can. I am so proud of him and all of his comrades, they are amazing individuals. ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/9 "2001-09-12T12:48:25Z")
A prayer please… My brother’s next door neighbor is a fire Battalion Chief in Chelsea. He’s missing. They have been pulling people from the ruins, but… I was probably going to see him Saturday for the fights. That may not happen now. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/10 "2001-09-12T13:31:19Z")
I’m aware of how the death of any firefighter or police officer deeply effects their entire professional fraternity across the country. I know we’re all numb and horrified at the mass death and destruction, but I ache especially for the police officers and firefighters who are feeling this even more keenly and personally than most of us. In some ways, the deaths of the firefighters and police officers was like the straw that broke the camels’ back for me. Not like everything else isn’t beyond awful, but I was infuriated to think that people had to die trying to save others. ---
**Author:** ![Grimace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3e96dc/32.png) [@Grimace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grimace)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/11 "2001-09-12T15:47:32Z")
As someone who has worn the badge in the past, the stories coming out of New York are both Heartening, and Heart rending at the same time. I know what must be going through the minds of those on the NYPD and the NYFD, and I wish that I was there, doing the same thing. I feel the loss very heavy on my heart when I hear the numbers of casualties of the emergency crews and police that responded so far. While I no longer work in law enforcement, these are still my brothers and sisters who died, trying to do the job that they believe in, the job they love. Saving Lives. You are heroes, every one of you, even if you don’t feel like it, even though you just say, “I’m just doing my job.” You make a difference, and you give people hope. Keep it up, and my prayers are with you all. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/12 "2001-09-12T16:47:17Z")
Both my grandfather and father were members of the Louisville, KY fire department. My grandfather for 39 years, and my father for 26. I feel like I’m a part of the FD family, too. And the NYFD is never far from my thoughts, and neither is the NYPD. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/13 "2001-09-12T16:53:52Z")
It was just pointed out to me that some of the NY firefighters are the same ones that those of us that worked at the OKC rescue/cleanup met and got to know. It had just completely escaped me that I might know some of them personally. Now we’re waiting and praying to see if they’re all alright. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/14 "2001-09-12T17:04:06Z")
My husband and I are both volunteer firefighters here in Baltimore. Baltimore County has sent a team of rescue personnel to NYC to help. Please keep them and all the other rescue workers in your prayers. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/15 "2001-09-12T17:07:45Z")
The loss of 300 emergency workers is too staggering to imagine. My prayers are with them and their families and friends. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/16 "2001-09-12T17:10:19Z")
I’m sorry to report that you probably did, **Arden**. Chief of Special Operations Command Ray Downey, who led the contingent to Oklahoma City, was killed in the collapse of the first building. I’m so sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Ludo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Ludo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludo)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/17 "2001-09-12T17:12:08Z")
Whenever I find myself decrying the state of humanity from now on, all I will have to think about are those who ran (not walked) into the gates of Hell for their fellow man, and I will be quieted. To those who sacrificed their lives yesterday, you are the embodiment of the human spirit, the essence of humanity. _ **God bless.** _ ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/18 "2001-09-12T17:18:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by manhattan \* > \*\*I’m sorry to report that you probably did, **Arden**. > > Chief of Special Operations Command Ray Downey, who led the contingent to Oklahoma City, was killed in the collapse of the first building. > > I’m so sorry. \*\* … [sub]shit[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![TruePisces](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/truepisces/32/13628_2.png) [@TruePisces](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruePisces)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/19 "2001-09-12T17:44:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Arden Ranger \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by manhattan \* > > \*\*I’m sorry to report that you probably did, **Arden**. > > > > Chief of Special Operations Command Ray Downey, who led the contingent to Oklahoma City, was killed in the collapse of the first building. > > > > I’m so sorry. \*\* > > … > > [sub]shit[/sub] \*\* {{{Arden}}} {{{All Dopers}}} {{{All Americans}}} {{{All the world}}} ---
**Author:** ![purrplebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/90ced4/32.png) [@purrplebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purrplebear)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019/20 "2001-09-12T19:31:01Z")
My grandpa was a cop for more than 30 years. My husband was a paramedic for more than 20, driving ambulances and pulling people out of buildings and cars and… _gulp_ I’m sorry. I can’t get any words out. My mind just keeps shrieking dearGod…dearGod…dearGod… _grabbing everyone for a big bear hug, no words can get past this lump in my throat_ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-brothers-and-sisters-fdny-nypd/81019.md?page=2)