{"id":84,"date":"2021-04-29T07:06:20","date_gmt":"2021-04-29T07:06:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/?page_id=84"},"modified":"2026-04-16T01:26:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T01:26:38","slug":"9-11-ground-zero-2001","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/index.php\/9-11-ground-zero-2001\/","title":{"rendered":"Ground Zero, 2001"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-116-1-1024x712.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-116-1-1024x712.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-116-1-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-116-1-768x534.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-116-1-1536x1067.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-116-1-2048x1423.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Photo by Rod Millner<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On September 11, 2001, everything changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rod Millner was in upstate New York preparing for a world-record skydiving attempt when he heard a call over the radio:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Volunteers with construction experience were needed in New York City.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He didn\u2019t hesitate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answering the Call<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rod knew it would be intense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But he also knew he had skills that could help \u2014 and that was enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He made his way to what would become known as <strong>Ground Zero<\/strong>, stepping into one of the most challenging environments imaginable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Seeing What Others Missed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On his first night, one problem stood out immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The search and rescue lighting was severely lacking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Firefighters, police, and paramedics were working under layers of rubble with minimal visibility \u2014 using flashlights in one hand while trying to search with the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was slow.<br>It was dangerous.<br>And it didn\u2019t have to be that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Taking Action<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rod found an unused generator and set up a makeshift lighting system using high-powered lamps and extended cabling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The impact was immediate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In just one area:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Firefighters could finally see clearly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Both hands were free to work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Search speed increased<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Safety improved dramatically<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>What started as initiative quickly became essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>From Volunteer to Leader<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At first, no one knew who Rod was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But they knew one thing \u2014 he was making a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHi, I\u2019m Rod \u2014 the lighting guy. Where are you searching tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Within days, he was assigned platoons of New York firefighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He trained them to set up and optimise lighting systems across multiple search zones \u2014 improving efficiency and safety across the operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"716\" src=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-58-1024x716.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-58-1024x716.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-58-300x210.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-58-768x537.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-58-1536x1073.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-58-2048x1431.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>The Human Side<\/strong><br><br>Amid the devastation, there were moments that stayed forever.<br><br>When a damaged American flag was recovered from the rubble \u2014 still showing a single star \u2014 it became a symbol of resilience.<br><br>When it was raised, a wave of emotion moved through everyone present.<br><br>There was exhaustion, grief, and intensity\u2026<br><br>But also, leadership, unity, and people stepping forward without hesitation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"698\" src=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-115-1024x698.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-121\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-115-1024x698.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-115-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-115-768x524.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-115-1536x1047.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-115-2048x1396.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pushing Through<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rod worked day and night with little sleep, driven by a simple goal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Help in any way possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He continued until, seven nights in, a steel shard hidden in the rubble pierced his right knee \u2014 forcing him to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"716\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-121-716x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-122\" style=\"width:402px;height:575px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-121-716x1024.jpg 716w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-121-210x300.jpg 210w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-121-768x1099.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-121-1073x1536.jpg 1073w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-121-1431x2048.jpg 1431w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-121.jpg 1524w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">St Pauls&#8217; Cathedral Spire standing tall between the fallen walls of the World Trade Centre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Job Done<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As he left, something stayed with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the first time, he heard firefighters calling out for generators in new search areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The system had spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The impact remained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"716\" src=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-110-1024x716.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124\" style=\"width:839px;height:586px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-110-1024x716.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-110-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-110-768x537.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-110-1536x1074.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/twin-t-110-2048x1432.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Riley was one of the search and rescue dogs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Recognition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cHere is a truly noble man.\u201d<\/em><br>\u2014 Lieutenant Joseph Di Martino, NYFD<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a letter from Lt. Di Martino, who led the first platoon Rod trained and directed in emergency rescue lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"745\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/1.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department--745x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-148\" style=\"width:838px;height:1152px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/1.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department--745x1024.jpeg 745w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/1.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department--218x300.jpeg 218w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/1.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department--768x1055.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/1.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department--1118x1536.jpeg 1118w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/1.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department--1491x2048.jpeg 1491w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/1.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department--scaled.jpeg 1864w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 745px) 100vw, 745px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"745\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/2.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department-pg2-745x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-149\" style=\"width:838px;height:1152px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/2.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department-pg2-745x1024.jpeg 745w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/2.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department-pg2-218x300.jpeg 218w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/2.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department-pg2-768x1055.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/2.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department-pg2-1118x1536.jpeg 1118w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/2.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department-pg2-1491x2048.jpeg 1491w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/2.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department-pg2-scaled.jpeg 1864w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 745px) 100vw, 745px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"745\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/3.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department-pg3-745x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-150\" style=\"width:838px;height:1152px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/3.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department-pg3-745x1024.jpeg 745w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/3.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department-pg3-218x300.jpeg 218w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/3.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department-pg3-768x1055.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/3.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department-pg3-1118x1536.jpeg 1118w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/3.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department-pg3-1491x2048.jpeg 1491w, https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/3.The-City-of-New-York-Fire-Department-pg3-scaled.jpeg 1864w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 745px) 100vw, 745px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Photo by Rod Millner On September 11, 2001, everything changed. Rod Millner was in upstate New York preparing for a world-record skydiving attempt when he heard a call over the radio: Volunteers with construction experience were needed in New York City. He didn\u2019t hesitate. Answering the Call Rod knew it would be intense. But he [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-84","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/84","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=84"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/84\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":506,"href":"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/84\/revisions\/506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rodmillner.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=84"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}