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Politics & Government

The Life of an Emergency Responder 10 Years After 9/11

Local police and fire chiefs explain how things have changed -- and have not changed -- since Sept. 11, 2001.

In the almost 10 years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the world of emergency responders and law enforcement has changed in many ways, yet has stayed the same in many others, according to local police and fire chiefs.

The theme of their remarks was perhaps summed up best by Police Chief, Alan Siegfried.

“Everyone has become more aware,” he said. “Everybody worries… Anything like [the terrorist attacks] is possible anywhere.”

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Siegfried said he and his officers have received state-mandated training that addressed the possible need to deal with weapons of mass destruction, or WMDs.

On the whole, however, a police officer's day-to-day duties have not changed very much because of 9/11, since officers are trained to stay alert and attentive even when things seem calm, Siegfried said.

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Roy Seiple, chief of , agreed.

The 9/11 attacks “made everyone more aware of their surroundings," Seiple said. "People understand that it can happen anywhere.”

Seiple mentioned the now-shuttered Nazareth Speedway as a location that might have been seen as a tempting target for terrorists -- since it drew large crowds on race days.

Colonial Regional officers have also received state-mandated training in potential disaster response since 9/11, Seiple said. He noted that grant money to purchase bulletproof vests for officers has become more readily available in recent years as officials become aware of the potential dangers faced by officers in all police departments -- even smaller ones.

Still, the serve-and-protect life is fundamentally the same as it was 10 years ago or more, Seiple said. His officers will keep a close watch on their coverage areas this weekend -- but that's part of their job every day, he noted.

“We don't anticipate any issues,” Seiple said. “It will be business as usual.”

Firefighters also saw changes to their already rigorous training after 9/11, according to Jeffrey Seip, chief of , which serves Lower Nazareth Township.

“I think there is an increased focus on hazardous materials and response to possible terrorism events,” Seip said in a recent e-mail message. “I've noticed more opportunities being provided by the Federal government for specialized training in disciplines associated with terrorism, explosives and hazardous materials.”

The horrors of 9/11 brought home the dangers faced daily by firefighters and other emergency responders. For some time after the attacks, “the public experienced a greater appreciation for everyone in the emergency services,” Seip said.

As everyday life resumed its normal pace for many people, that changed -- gradually -- Seip noted.

“As with everything... I think the passage of time has lessened that focus,” he said.

“Our department is very fortunate to enjoy the support of our local government, our residents and local businesses,” Seip added. "Unfortunately, that is not the same in all communities. Many fire departments are suffering budget cuts, layoffs and brown-outs due to the economic conditions in their communities. It's unfortunate but many of the gains that those departments made following 9/11 have been lost.”

At the end of the at this Sunday, representatives from local fire departments will be accepting donations for the New York Firefighters 9/11 Disaster Relief Fund. The fund assists firefighters and their families who were impacted by Sept. 11, 2001.

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