First responders of all ages reflect on the events of September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York, was attacked. The incident resulted in the loss of 2,753 lives, including 343 members of the FDNY, 23 NYPD officers, 36 officers from the NY/NJ Port Authority Police Department, 8 EMTs/Paramedics, and 1 Jersey City Fire Department member. Additionally, 766 residents of New Jersey were among those killed. Since September 11, 2001, more than 4,500 survivors and first responders have also died due to diseases and cancer linked to the toxic dust and debris released at ground zero. Several of those New Jersey 1^stresponders.

The Official New Jersey 9/11 Memorial, known as EMPTY SKY, is located at Liberty State Park in Jersey City and serves as a significant public artwork. Designed by Jessica Jamroz and Frederick Schwartz, Empty Sky was selected unanimously by a committee of 9/11 families and survivors from more than 320 national and international submissions. The memorial was dedicated on September 10, 2011, to commemorate New Jersey residents who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks. It’s unimaginable but the Empty Sky Memorial remains incomplete and in need of maintenance, 14 years after its dedication. It has been ignored by NJ leadership and Liberty State Park officials. While there were 766 New Jersey residents who perished on 9/11, only 749 names are presently inscribed on the wall. The leadership of NJ has failed the families of the 18 forgotten souls murdered on 9/11. Also forgotten are the names of first responders who have died in the line of duty (LODD) since 9/11and have not been added to the memorial wall. I’ve made repeated requests for First Responder LODD’s to be added but again ignored. These New Jersey first responders, firefighters, local and state police and EMS are also victims of the World Trade Center attack and merit recognition and honor for their sacrifices. Why are they not honored? The original design reportedly included plans for a space dedicated to first responders and victims, though this feature has yet to be established. 

New Jersey first responders promptly provided critical support on September 11, working extensively along the Jersey City waterfront, at various locations, and at ground zero. At 0934, just after the second tower was struck, Jersey City Fire Department responded to a mutual aid request for its Mask Service Unit (MSU), which supplied numerous spare air bottles and packs and had the capability to refill depleted bottles for operations at the World Trade Center site. Following the collapse of the Twin Towers, debris rendered all roads near ground zero impassable, making the Hudson River crossing to New Jersey—just half a mile away—the most viable evacuation route for survivors. More than 5,000 injured civilians, as well as FDNY, police, and EMS personnel, were transported by boat across the Hudson River to a triage area established by Jersey City EMS, police, and firefighters. Subsequently, EMS professionals and ambulances from throughout New Jersey arrived at the Hudson River staging areas to assist with the transportation and care of survivors. The mutual aid extended by New Jersey first responders to the thousands affected by the events of 9/11 was instrumental in providing medical assistance and saving lives.

I visited the 9/11 Memorial many times most recently in May of this year. I observed that the memorial still remains incomplete and in poor condition. The exterior of the 30-foot-high walls is still unfinished, with exposed raw concrete that shows signs of staining and wear. The installation of the planned stainless-steel cladding, as well as the inscriptions "Never Forget" and "Always in our Hearts," has not yet occurred (refer to rendering). Furthermore, the specialized lighting at the base of the walls—which was designed to honor and memorialize each victim—requires restoration. Much of the original illumination has been replaced with less efficient, lower-quality lighting, and the directory kiosks are currently non-operational. Most of the foliage around the hollowed grounds has died. (The Memorial is under the management of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection/Liberty State Park).

To date, the majority of my emails to New Jersey leadership have not received responses, and no action appears to have been taken on these requests. It is concerning that the leadership of the State of New Jersey has permitted this symbolic memorial—representing significant human loss within our communities—to remain in a state of disrepair for nearly fourteen years. Moreover, it appears to me they have ignored recognizing first responders from New Jersey who succumbed to illnesses (LODD) related to their courageous response to the World Trade Center attacks in New York City. These individuals merit acknowledgment at the state's official memorial, Empty Sky, with a dedicated tribute area and names inscribed on the Memorial Wall. Liberty State Park receives more than 4 million visitors each year; however, few are aware of its historical significance or the commendable efforts of New Jersey's first responders.

The phrase "Never Forget" should indeed reflect its true meaning of “Never Forget.” 

Respectfully,

Robert “Butch” Cobb

Deputy Chief (Ret)

Jersey City Fire Department

Past Chief Dumont Vol. FD &

West Milford Township Vol. FD (ChiefCo#4)

U.S. Army - Vietnam Veteran

Former National Director, Verisk/ISO

Firehouse© Magazine 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee