Visit From Local Fire Companies Commemorates 9/11 For Reed Students

By Eliza Hallabeck

A visit to Reed Intermediate School by members of the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company and members of the Newtown Hook & Ladder Company marked the 11th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks.

Two clusters gathered together to recognize the visitors and ask questions about what they do as local firefighters.

“We are so honored to have you here today as our heroes,” said Reed Intermediate School fifth grade teacher Karen King, “and to help us remember the heroes of 9/11.”

The event is a yearly one at Reed, and reminds students about both the historic day and that September is Fire Safety Month.

The students, Ms King explained, spent a lot of time preparing for the Tuesday, September 11, event. Some students sang, one played the violin, another played the piano, and two fifth grade boys performed a dance. The students also prepared by writing questions for the firefighters in advance.

Ms King said the students had been discussing the unexpected heroes that emerged on September 11, 2001, and other forms of heroism before the visit.

The first question posed to the visitors by a student was, “What would your life be like if you weren’t a volunteer firefighter?”

Newtown Hook & Ladder volunteer Mike McCarthy had the answer: “Quite boring and simple,” he said, with a laugh.

After another student asked the group if they had ever saved someone’s life, Sandy Hook EMS Captain Karin Halstead noted she and some of her company members will be recognized with an award this Saturday, September 15, for doing just that.

On November 1, just following the October snowstorm last year, Ms Halstead, George Lockwood, Jr, Richard “Archie” Paloian, and Robert Sibley responded to a call, and at this Saturday’s state convention the four firefighters will be recognized for saving the life of a Sandy Hook resident who had a heart attack on that day.

When asked what thoughts go through their head when they enter a burning building, one firefighter said, “Think,” and another said, “Stay safe. Stay with your partner.”

Some of their favorite things about being a firefighter? Riding in the fire trucks, the sense of “family,” and eating well, thanks to the “good cooks.”

When fully equipped, as the Reed students learned on Tuesday, a firefighter could be charged with 65 to 70 pounds of gear.

One student asked if the firefighters had family members effected by the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. The visitors said no, but one person lost friends that day and another lost clients.

“It’s a sad day today,” said Ms Halstead.

Mr McCarthy said that while it was a terrible day, it was also a proud day. A day when many people worked together.

After posing questions to the visitors, refreshments were served and students were given the chance to see what the firefights said was one of their favorite pieces of equipment — the large ones parked out back with a long ladder.