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Dedication of a firefighter

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ashley L. Gardner
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  A ladder is raised as they climb up to a smoke filled window; they climb inside the burning building, not knowing what to expect while making their way through the unknown.

Though it is training, they know their job as firefighters is to save lives while working together as wingmen. That all begins in the training yard.

On September 11, 2001, Stephen Siller had just gotten off the late shift at Squad 1, Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York. On his way to play golf with his brothers, his scanner spoke of the first plane hitting the North Twin Tower. When he heard the news, Siller called his wife Sally and asked her to tell his brothers he would catch up with them later, then returned to Squad 1 to get his gear.

He drove to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already closed. So he strapped 60 pounds of gear to his back, rushed on foot through gridlocked traffic and ran approximately three miles from the tunnel to the towers where he gave his life saving others.

On Sept. 19, 2014, the Shaw firefighter team of 21 members, joined together for the Tunnel to Towers 5K run/walk held in Columbia, South Carolina, in remembrance of Siller, the firefighter who went the extra mile during 9/11.

The race had approximately 3,000 participants.

"The run was special," said Gregory Farley, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron fire captain. "As I turned down Blossom Street and saw all the University of South Carolina fraternities lined up down the road with pictures, showing support, I was just amazed by that wonderful and emotional experience."

The firefighter team ran together representing Shaw, keeping the motto, "everyone comes home" in the back of their minds, explained Farley.

"Anytime you have to endure an event like this wearing all of the fire protective gear," said Staff Sgt. Chastin Warner, 20th CES firefighter crew chief. "Once you finish, you feel empowered "I was touched that so many people came out to be a part of this great opportunity and we had maximum participation from Shaw."

The life of a firefighter is a bond different than any other. Treating every training situation like it a real world scenario, they train hard, so they are prepared, explained Farley.

Day-in and day-out the team prepares themselves, knowing the risk they face. They give their all to not only do their job, but do it well. All while at the same time keeping the wingman concept in the center of their minds, working together in remembrance, the training yard or in a real environment, they get the job done.