Red Cross Employees Recall Their Service on September 11, 2001

By Andrea Carlson

In the moments after the first 9-1-1- call came in, Antonio (Tony) Suarez remembers being dispatched to the area where the World Trade Center Towers stood tall on that fateful day 18 years ago, September 11, 2001.

“When we got down there, we had all sorts of patients that we were helping; injured patients, burned patients, all sorts that we needed to get transported. It was really chaotic, debris was falling from buildings, fires were burning, so much was going on,” says Tony.

At the time of the attacks, Tony was a paramedic working out of Saint Vincent Hospital, directly down the street from the twin towers.

“It was very chaotic, it was like a movie, I just kept thinking, this isn’t supposed to be happening. We didn’t even think,” says Tony.  “I ran into the lobby of the World Trade Center three or four times before it collapsed, and I never even thought about the possibility of it collapsing.”

In the first few hours, days, even weeks Tony worked in an area called the “pit”. In the first days it was a mission to find people who were hurt, and as the weeks turned into months it became a recovery mission. But it was a moment during the first few hours that will forever be imprinted on Tony’s memory and eventually led to a career with the Red Cross.

“We were looking for water to drink and then also clean our faces off, and there wasn’t enough to go around. As we worked, I looked up and it was incredible that a Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle was able to get into and through the mess on the streets and it was just giving out water. At that point in time, a bottle of water was worth a million bucks,” says Tony.

While working in the “pit”, Tony stumbled across countless artifacts and has even donated some of those items to the World Trade Center Museum. One item was a piece of an American flag that had been found torn inside the pile. It now stands tall on display for anyone to see.

Barbara Shufelt, a 25-year employee with the American Red Cross worked alongside Red Cross volunteers at the Pentagon as an Emergency Services Director on that same day.

“We helped distribute things to the workers, like socks, gloves, other personal items, we gave out meals, water and then worked with the families that were impacted by loss,” says Barbara.

For Barbara, the impacts of September 11, 2001 help cement the work she does every day with the Red Cross.

“The mobilization of volunteers and utilizing our resources to help people and say, you aren’t alone, we are here for you. Reaching out to hold that hand. In the darkness of days, it gives a little hope in a very dark tunnel,” says Barbara. “Remembering the energy, love and compassion that was shared by the people who were affected personally and then still reached out to help others. I will always remember that. Even in my darkest days and when I have hard time times now with the Red Cross, that’s what I think about. It pulls it all together it’s about the mission.”

She often reminds volunteers and staff with every mission we are sent on whether it’s a disaster response, Service to the Armed Forces, Restoring Family Links, training others in pertinent lifesaving skills or responding to your everyday home fire, what we do has meaning.

“What we do matters, as employees, volunteers, member of our communities, reaching out with that helping hand when its needed, it does make a difference. I hope our staff and volunteers, all know that. Without them and their willingness to do this work and share themselves and their hearts this mission couldn’t exist,” says Barbara.

Now, 18 years later, Tony looks back to those moments as placeholders in time. Events that led to him becoming a Red Cross employee, and being there to support, comfort and help people he has never met before.

“That was the first time in my life and in my career that I saw humanity come together, no questions asked, in the spirit of good will. That is something I will never forget.