James Manahan joined the New York Fire Brigade (FDNY) in 1978. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, in the following days and weeks he participated as one of the commanders in rescue work in the ruins of buildings and the subsequent destruction of debris, in which he lost dozens of friends and colleagues.
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“You can never forget that, every anniversary, the memories come back in precise detail. I arrived when the second tower fell, we had to organize the search for survivors. I can’t imagine anything worse happening to anyone, “says Manahan.
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He stated that he had been to the memorial service in Prague several times and was impressed by the support of other firefighters from foreign countries.
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The Prague rescue services were on the scene.
In 2010, the volunteer firefighters of Prague 1, out of respect for the professionalism and heroism of the New York fire brigade who perished in the attacks, had a bronze memorial plaque commemorating 9/11 and the victims.
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The plate is mounted on a granite block, which is dominated by a bronze casting of the helmet of American firefighters. The memorial is located in the middle of Prague’s Kampa, ie in a place that was tested by floods only a few months later and its inhabitants personally felt how important the dedicated work of firefighters is in saving lives and protecting property.
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Firefighters are still struggling with the consequences twenty years after the tragedy
Manahan also noted that in addition to the fact that many firefighters died on the spot while working, the vast majority of them still suffer not only from mental but also from other health problems.
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“265 firefighters died of illness after the operation, 75 percent suffer from long-term health consequences, including me, over 3,000 firefighters had cancer that we monitored. And, of course, there are mental illnesses associated with this disaster, “says Manahan.
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Wreaths were laid at the monument.
During his next career, he served as commander of the FDNY emergency planning and management division, participated in rescue operations in New Orleans during the crisis caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, or corrected a team of firefighters in interventions after the Sandy storm in 2012.
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Saturday’s reverential commemoration in Prague also included a commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Voluntary Fire Brigade Unit in Prague 1.
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From September 2011 to April 30, 2021, it intervened in 246 emergencies. In almost 150 cases, this involved technical assistance, ie cases such as traffic accidents, pumping water from flooded areas or events associated with strong winds, fallen trees or the fight against floods. They also, in cooperation with others, also liquidated 31 fires.
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In several cases, the unit was involved in dealing with the consequences of the leakage of hazardous chemicals and liquids, and firefighters also assisted with the coronavirus. In 60 cases, the unit was used for decontamination and disinfection of premises.
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