Public Employee Press

2001-2011
"All hell broke loose"

City employees worked and volunteered at Ground Zero after terrorists destroyed the Twin Towers. Members of 30 local unions have played a key role in the recovery and rebuilding.

Phone calls started pouring into the New York Police Dept. right after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

The calls from people stuck in the burning Twin Towers were received by 911 operators like Local 1549 member Cheryl James, a Police Communications Technician.

The operators describe a workday of chaos and pressure.

"All hell broke loose and we didn't have time to think-the effects came into play later," James said. "We were making notifications to the EMS, the FDNY, and the Emergency Service Unit-they have the special equipment. I called a friend to pick up my 4-year-old son and worked till 11 p.m."

Today, the memories of the frantic calls continue to trouble Police Communications Technicians.

"We had so many calls - my screen was full," James said. "I was talking to a Police Officer who was on a corner near the WTC. I often wonder if he went into the tower to assist - if he's alive."

—JL