Left to right: Goodyear Paramedic Mario Santos, Scottsdale Paramedic Brett Shupnick, Chief Gabriel Benmoussa (former Goodyear firefighter), and Goodyear Paramedic Mike Bort standing in front of Engine 7 in New York City. They have continued to go to 9/11 anniversary ceremonies.
Marilu Trainor, PebbleCreek Resident
Sept. 11, 2001, holds many vivid memories for many of us. To the first responders in the Northeast, it was a day that lives in infamy. They were on duty, responding to many calls for assistance.
Flash forward 20 years and many Arizona firefighters, including some from the Goodyear and Scottsdale Fire Departments, will be in New York City to commemorate Patriot Day.
Mario Santos, Goodyear Fire Department captain paramedic, and Brett Shupnik, who is now a captain paramedic with the Scottsdale Fire Department and a former Goodyear Fire Department paramedic, will be there to honor the first responders, victims, and families. The duo shares a unique history of going to New York City many times to participate in 9/11 ceremonies.
Santos said, “Going to New York each year is such a special time in our lives. I have been to the eighth, 10th, 15th, 17th, and now will be in New York for this momentous 20th anniversary. Brett has been going every September since 2009 to honor our fallen firefighters’ brothers.”
This unique voyage started when Shupnik became acquainted with firefighters assigned to the 1st Battalion Station on Duane Street. This is where the Arizona firefighters head to start each visit. Shupnik received a unique challenge coin from NYC firefighters to commemorate his first visit. Shupnik was invited to stand with the 1st Battalion then and continues that tradition annually.
Since 2001, firefighters from around the world have converged on the city to show their respect, support, and stand next to one another to honor their fallen comrades and as a tribute to the thousands of victims.
You may not be aware of this tradition. In simultaneous events across the city, each station holds a symbolic ceremony in the street in front of their station. Hundreds of other visiting firefighters will go to stations in the five boroughs to stand next to New York’s bravest to commemorate the harrowing moments. Synchronized bells will ring, signaling when Tower One was hit, Tower Two was hit, Tower Two collapsed, Tower One collapsed, the Pentagon was hit, and Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania.
“Because we are usually with the firefighters at Station One for their memorial ceremony, we can’t get to everything going on that day. We do, however, work our way down to the 9/11 Memorial area to be part of the sunset ceremony each year, which is very emotional,” said Santos.
“After 9/11, the way we do our jobs in Arizona has changed. We are much more aware of the dangers any time we respond to a call. We are more diligent about our gear and operations,” said Santos.
These firefighters use their personal vacation days and funds to travel to New York. They all proudly wear their city’s uniform, and passersby thank them for coming to New York City.
Next year, Santos plans to take his family with him for the events.
Shupnik recently presented the historic challenge coin to Santos and said, “It’s your turn to hold this now.”