Charities, Sinclair, and more info

CDC HEALTH ALERT
DATE: 11 Sep 2001, 13:25
COMMUNICATIONS TOPIC: Initial Health Alert Notice to States and Local Public Health Agencies
SUBJECT: ALERT: Terrorist Activity Response
Due to current events, CDC is on heightened alert status to monitor for any possible unusual disease patterns associated with today's events, including chemical and biological agents. CDC recommends that you initiate heightened surveillance for any unusual disease occurrence or increased numbers of illnesses that might be associated with today's events.
Please notify all segments of your emergency response system (including epidemiologists, laboratories, all local public health units, hospital emergency departments, and 911 dispatch centers) to make them aware of this situation. If you require any assistance or become aware of any unusual occurrence, CDC is available at our emergency number of (770) 488-7100, 24-hours per day, or (770) 488-4819. You may also contact us by e-mail at <healthalert@cdc.gov> or access our website for further information at
<http://www.bt.cdc.gov>.

Environmental News
FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2001
EPA Initiates Emergency Response Activities, Reassures Public About Environmental Hazards
Bonnie Piper 202 564-7836
Chris Paulitz 202 564-9556
Bonnie Bellow 732 321-6656
Sue Hensley, Dept. of Labor (OSHA) 202-693-6023
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman today announced that EPA is taking steps to ensure the safety of rescue workers and the public at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon disaster sites, and to protect the environment. EPA is working with state, federal, and
local agencies to monitor and respond to potential environmental hazards and minimize any environmental effects of the disasters and their aftermath.
At the request of the New York City Department of Health, EPA and the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have been on the scene at the World Trade Center monitoring exposure to potentially contaminated dust and debris. Monitoring and sampling conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday have been very reassuring about potential
exposure of rescue crews and the public to environmental contaminants.
EPA's primary concern is to ensure that rescue workers and the public are not exposed to elevated levels of asbestos, acidic gases or other contaminants from the debris. Sampling of ambient air quality found either no asbestos or very low levels of asbestos. Sampling of bulk materials and
dust found generally low levels of asbestos.
The levels of lead, asbestos and volatile organic compounds in air samples taken on Tuesday in Brooklyn, downwind from the World Trade Center site, were not detectable or not of concern.
Additional sampling of both ambient air quality and dust particles was conducted Wednesday night in lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, and results were uniformly acceptable.
"EPA is greatly relieved to have learned that there appears to be no significant levels of asbestos dust in the air in New York City," said Administrator Whitman. "We are working closely with rescue crews to ensure that all appropriate precautions are taken. We will continue to monitor closely."
Public health concerns about asbestos contamination are primarily related to long-term exposure. Short-term, low-level exposure of the type that might have been produced by the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings is unlikely to cause significant health effects. EPA and OSHA will work closely with rescue and cleanup crews to minimize their potential exposure, but the general public should be very reassured by initial sampling.
EPA and OSHA will continue to monitor and sample for asbestos, and will work with the appropriate officials to ensure that rescue workers, cleanup crews and the general public are properly informed about appropriate steps that should be taken to ensure proper handling, transportation and disposal of potentially contaminated debris or materials.
EPA is taking steps to ensure that response units implement appropriate engineering controls to minimize environmental hazards, such as water sprays and rinsing to prevent or minimize potential exposure and limit releases of potential contaminants beyond the debris site.
EPA is also conducting downwind sampling for potential chemical and asbestos releases from the World Trade Center debris site. In addition, EPA has deployed federal On-Scene Coordinators to the Washington, D.C. Emergency Operations Center, Fort Meade, and FEMA's alternate Regional
Operations Center in Pennsylvania, and has deployed an On-Scene Coordinator to the Virginia Emergency Operations Center.
Under its response authority, EPA will use all available resources and staff experts to facilitate a safe emergency response and cleanup. EPA will work with other involved agencies as needed to:
procure and distribute respiratory and eye protection equipment in cooperation with the Dept. of Health and Human Services; provide health and safety training upon request; design and implement a site monitoring plan; provide technical assistance for site control and decontamination; and provide some 3000 asbestos respirators, 60 self-contained breathing apparatuses and 10,000 protective clothing suits to the two disaster sites. New York Governor George E. Pataki has promised to provide emergency electric generators to New York City in efforts to restore lost power caused
by Tuesday's tragedy, and EPA will work with State authorities to expedite any necessary permits for those generators.
OSHA is also working with Consolidated Edison regarding safety standards for employees who are digging trenches because of leaking gas lines underground. OSHA has advised Con Edison to provide its employees with appropriate respirators so they can proceed with emergency work, shutting off gas leaks in the city.

This web site provides information believed to be accurate. We assumes no liability for the accuracy of any organization, link, or information. You are responsible for checking out the sources.

The Red Cross also has a policy that any money that is designated for a particular need or disaster must be used as designated. If there is designated money left over after disaster needs are met, that money is then designated only for disaster use. Donations that designated for local use must be used locally and donations that are designated for a national disasters are forwarded to the national chapter for disaster relief as designated. 'Disaster Services' is considered a must service for the Red
Cross and often money gained from 'Health and Safety Services' is put directly back into the community in the form of disaster relief. Lastly, there is a misconception that the Red Cross receives direct federal funding. This is not true. Red Cross funding comes from donations, health and safety services, and community support. If you have questions about Red Cross policies, call your local chapter or contact the national office.

Sept. 13, 2001, 10a.m. -- In the wake of Tuesday's tragedy, the IAFF is preparing to send financial assistance to the families of all fallen fire fighters and to coordinate efforts to assist fire and EMS personnel on the scene in New York City.  "The International and its members are mourning the loss of our brothers and sisters," said Schaitberger. "There will be many funds established to
help the victims. We are encouraging our members to ask other friends of the fire service to donate to the New York Fire 9-11 Relief Fund. One hundred percent of this money will go directly of the families to the fallen fire fighters and EMS personnel in New York City."
"This fund is the only one directly affiliated with the IAFF, the Uniformed Firefighters Association of New York, Local 94 and the New York Uniformed Fire Officer Association, Local 854," said Kevin Gallagher, IAFF 1st District Vice President and President of Local 94. "Our brothers and sisters appreciate   this generosity."
"In the aftermath of this tragedy, the families of our fallen brothers and sisters shouldn't have to worry about money," said Pete Gorman, President of Local 854. "The New York Fire 9-11 Relief Fund will make sure they get the assistance they need."   Contributions are tax deductible. Those wishing to send donations should send checks payable to "The New York Fire 9-11 Relief Fund" to:
IAFF General Secretary-Treasurer's Office
Attn: New York Fire 9-11 Relief Fund
1750 New York Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20006-5395

SUPPORT FOR FALLEN HEROES OF OUR NATIONAL TRAGEDY

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation expresses our heartfelt sympathy to all the families and coworkers of our fallen and injured brothers and sisters who so valiantly responded during our national tragedies. The Foundation pledges that these heroes will never be forgotten nor will their
families.
We are working with FEMA and USFA to ensure that all necessary support systems are in place so that we can best meet the needs of the fire service family.
Here are some of the things you can do:
The Foundation has been in touch with FDNY survivors, NY State fire officials, representatives of chaplains groups, and families of fallen firefighters from across the country. They have advised that we can best offer support by assisting the Fire Department of New York in channeling messages to the survivors and offers of donations and assistance.
We have offered to be a central point over the next few days for accepting messages of condolence for the families of our fallen and injured heroes. We will ensure that all of these messages are delivered to the families at an appropriate time. You can send these messages to by fax (301)447-1645 , email firehero@erols.com or regular mail to:
FDNY Families
C/o National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
PO Drawer 498
Emmitsburg, MD 21727

The Foundation also has an on-line Memory Wall for posting messages at www.firehero.org/wall/memory.htm
We join with the Concerns of Police Survivors in asking all public safety personnel and the general public to wear red, white and blue ribbons in remembrance of our fallen fire and law enforcement personnel and the other victims. You may also show your support by attaching a red, white and blue
ribbon to your vehicle.
Each year during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, families and coworkers leave personal messages on a Remembering banner. We encourage local departments and communities to do similar banners and send them to the Foundation for display at the National Fire Academy and to FDNY.
The President has issued a proclamation lowering all American flags throughout the country to half staff until sunset, September 16. The proclamation is on-line at www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010912-1.htm

Dear Safety Online Subscriber,
In the wake of Tuesday's tragedies at the World Trade Center, Safety Online has received an urgent request for help from the NYC Fire Department. The Fire Department is seeking DONATIONS of very specific equipment and supplies to aid them in their ongoing rescue efforts. The supplies needed are as follows:
*       Industrial battery-operated lamps and lanterns (NO propane, please)
*       Shovels
*       Flashlights
*       Light sticks
*       Sterile isotonic buffered eyewash (in portable bottles)
*       Liquid ECG conductor
*       Emesis basins
*       Safety Goggles
*       Dust masks
*       Heavy duty work gloves
*       Bath towels
*       Biohazard bags, large

Again, the Fire Department can only accept DONATED materials at this time. Donations from companies in closer proximity to New York City are best, although donations from any area will be considered. If you are able to help, please contact Jocelyn Greenwood of the New York City Fire Department at: 718-999-1319 or 718-999-2287. Please be patient, as phone lines are still very busy at this time. If you are unable to get through by phone, please email us atrelief@verticalnet.com <mailto:relief@verticalnet.com>  so that we may relay your message to the Fire Department.
Thank you for your assistance.

Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to A remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television commentator. What follows is the full text of his trenchant remarks as printed in the Congressional Record: (editorial note, I believe this was originally spoke and presented in the 1970's but stands true today).

"This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States. When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it. When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped. The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans.
I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon - n! not once, but several times - and safely home again.
You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here. When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking Down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke.
I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake. Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will
come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those."
Stand proud, America!

The terrorist attacks on Tuesday have shown us many new heroes. There are too many to count, really. Many of the most heroic deeds are actions that we'll probably never know of. Our public servants responding to the event are definitely heroes. Additionally, the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, en route to San Francisco from Newark, N.J are heroes. They died while (reportedly) attempting to retake the aircraft. These civilians volunteered to act when they learned through cellphone conversations that they were being used as a weapon of terror. They understood that their actions might cause their own deaths. They died protecting the larger good. Their actions prevented the aircraft from reaching its final and more devastating target.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, recognizes exceptional meritorious service. President Truman established the medal in 1945 to recognize notable service in the war. In 1963, President Kennedy reintroduced it as an honor for distinguished civilian service in peacetime. President Bush has not yet named any recipients of the award. I believe that many members of NYPD, FDNY, and the passengers and crew aboard United Flight 93 deserve this highest recognition

If you agree, do not hesitate to contact the President and let him know your sentiment. You may reach President George W. Bush at: president@whitehouse.gov

The building is going to collapse", he overheard. "I know" he mumbled, strapping his breathing apparatus to his back.  A tidal wave of people and smoke came at him, and he fought against the current desperate to get inside the place where everyone was trying to escape.  He is a firefighter, doesn't see himself as a hero.  This is what he does.

"People are trapped upstairs", she overheard.  "I know" she mumbled, as she grabbed her oxygen cylinder and bag and walked into the billowing clouds of debris looking for someone, anyone, who needed her.  She is a paramedic, doesn't see herself as a hero.  This is what she does.

"The people don't know what is happening" he overheard "I know" he mumbled, as he walked towards the panic and pain bringing comfort by his strength, giving directions, showing people where to go, even as he goes closer and closer.  He is a Police Officer, he doesn't see himself as a hero.  This is what he does.

"We lost the entire engine company" one numbly said.  "I know" said the captain.  He looked at the faces on the wall.  Faces he would never see again.  "We have Police and Fire waiting, and Ambulances are lined up."

"I know", said God, as he wiped the tears from his eyes and opened up to golden gates at the entry to paradise and let our ordinary heroes in. They were the men and women who didn't need to be there who could have saved themselves who could have stayed away from the scenes of pain and hell but they walked into the fire though they knew that they might die and we watched their spirits rise to heaven as the towers collapsed in the sky.  Just ordinary people, whose families daily prayed that their loved ones would return to them at the end of every day In this great tragedy, a greater story unfolds of the bravest men and women that New York City holds the simple, ordinary heroes.  Fire fighter.  Paramedic. Police officer.

"We have Police and Fire waiting, and Ambulances lined up...."

"I know", said God, wiping tears from his eyes and He opened up the golden gates at the entry to paradise and let our ordinary Heroes in.
It's what He does.

Author Unknown

On the issue of fire endurance of structural members, please be aware that the 2-3 hour burn time eluded to is based on performance in a standardized and reproducible test fire. It is safe to assume that the fire conditions at the WTC yesterday far exceeded that. I have seen large warehouse fires breech substantial fire barriers in minutes instead of hours and not be the fault of improper construction methods. The only thing you can count on is that a 1-hour barrier is twice as good as a 2-hour barrier...etc.. My gut feeling is that the fire did cause the initial collapse which set up a chain reaction. Another thought, I wondered if the water supply feeding the sprinkler system above the fire floors was wiped out at the onset. I am extremely agitated and think it's high time we open a big can of "Whip Ass" against all terrorist groups. That way we don't have to waste time figuring out which one did it and be certain we got the right one.

In a news-briefing walk through of the Pentagon on Saturday September 15th, fire sprinklers were credited with the containment of the fire and halting its spread. This information can be found by going to:

When you get on the web go site down the extreme right column of topics and click on “Pentagon Renovations Help to Blunt Blast”, which is the 10th bullet under the heading Armed Forces News. When this page comes up scroll down to Related Site of Interest: and click on DoD News Briefing on Pentagon Renovation, Sept. 15, 2001. Once you click on this you will get the news-briefing transcript. In order to cut to the chase, click on Edit on your tool bar then click on Find (on this page). When the Find block comes up type the word sprinkler in the Find what inquiry and your cursor will jump to the following paragraph:

“Fire sprinklers. Interestingly, you know, there was a fire that raged through wedge two, the unrenovated area. If you look at wedge one, except in those areas where it was clearly fueled by jet fuel, the fire, when it tried to spread into other wedge one areas, was knocked down immediately by the fire sprinklers. There was virtually no spread whatsoever, so we saw a tremendous beneficial effect from that.”

As I recall from my days in the USAF the flags that are on a pole that can be fixed at half mast should be, those that can not be needs a black ribbon, scarf or marker at mid-mast. Others, such as, miniatures manufactured at full staff or angled displays seen on many homes are not required to be altered. They are considered displays and are not required to be flown at half staff. That is to the best of my memory and that is not gospel.

Received news just now that John Norman, OSU Grad and FDNY member, is OK. No word on Bobby Pressler as yet.