Stephen Taylor still remembers where he was 25 years ago when the world stood still.
“I remember waking up to the news and being shocked by what I was seeing,” the Paeroa firefighter said of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre (Twin Towers) in New York in 2001. “It was one of those events you never forget.”
It’s a feeling that sat with the first responder as he took part in the September 11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Sky Tower in Auckland City recently alongside Paeroa Volunteer Fire Brigade’s Issy Dryland and senior firefighter Caleb Pooley.
The Paeroa crew were joined by around 200 firefighters from brigades all around the country and even included some from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).
“You have a sense of respect and remembrance throughout the event,” Stephen told The Profile.
“Those sacrifices should never be forgotten. Remembering them honours the people who gave their lives serving.”
Firefighters took the time to reflect on the sacrifices made by the people who lost their lives on September 11, he said.
The sea of firefighters paraded and marched 200 metres to the Sky Tower, he said, then stood at attention for the naming of all the fallen firefighters from New Zealand on record and then for the 343 from FDNY.
The firefighters then made their climb up the 60 storey tower. “You get tallies bearing the names of the fallen and climb in their name.”
It was Stephen’s second time attending the memorial and one way he said it impacted his life was how it highlighted the importance of being physically fit.
“[For] some calls, you need to run 100 metres-plus of hose to connect a hydrant then compose yourself to don your BA (breathing apparatus) to assist with putting the fire out.
“Events like the stair climb reinforce the importance of being prepared both physically and mentally,” he said.
Stephen’s path to the frontline started six years ago.
“I was approached by one of the senior members of the brigade, which got me thinking about joining. Around the same time, I witnessed the [Midway] Burger Bar fire from across the road and watched the brigade in action,” he said.
“That really reinforced my interest in becoming a firefighter.”
The biggest perspective shift for him was being able to see “how quickly people’s lives can change”, he said.
“As firefighters we often meet people on one of the worst days of their lives. It makes you appreciate what you have.”
While Stephen said the brigade was lucky to have a few members with supportive employers, who allowed them to respond to call outs, it was hard to maintain crew numbers during the day.
Those interested in joining the brigade can fill out the online form on the Fire and Emergency website, www.fireandemergency.nz.
Stephen’s purpose was clear.
“My family and people in our community [are the] sort of thing that inspires me,” he said.
“Growing up in Paeroa, being a firefighter is a way of giving something back to the community.
“It’s also pretty neat that my kids get to see what we do and why we do it – they seem to think it’s pretty cool.”
By DAVIDDA HIKATANGATA
