Former Zionsville FEMA leader recalls devastation at Ground Zero
ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (WISH) – This Sunday marks 15 years since the September 11, 2001 attacks. On the eve of that anniversary one local woman is sharing her story publicly for the first time.
Susana Suarez is the president of the town council in Zionsville, but in 2001 she had a much different job. Suarez was a director of regional operations for the Federal Emergency Management Association.
“September 11 began for us at 7 a.m. with phone calls from the east coast saying wake up, turn on the television. Something is not right. There’s a plane that struck the World Trade Center,” said Suarez.
She goes on to say, “Honestly I thought I was watching a tragic accident the first time around… as we were all working the phones, trying to get details, the second plane struck and that’s when we knew that this was not an accident,” said Suarez.
She told 24-Hour News 8 she was at a hotel in Montana at the time for the National Emergency Management Association’s Annual Conference when the attacks happened. She said the conference room of that hotel instantly turned into the group’s work-space.
“It was very frenzied, but there were some amazing professionals in this business that can really cut through the craziness like a laser… Our job was to organize, to focus, and to create an atmosphere where the first responders could get in and save as many lives as they could,” said Suarez.
She made it out to Ground Zero later that day.
“It was devastating in many ways. The ash, the dust, the smell, the extent of the devastation.”
They are sights, sounds, and smells she will never forget.
“I will never forget that smell. To this day I still have a hard time getting my teeth cleaned. If there’s any kind of drill near your mouth, that’s the same kind of smell,” said Suarez.
The anniversary of 9/11 always brings back tough memories for Suarez, but it also fills her with pride.
“These group of terrorists tried to bring American to its knees… We were threatened and we pulled together and we did not let them win in any way… We moved forward because we helped each other. We came to each other’s aid and that’s what makes America strong and great and we always help each other and I think that’s the thing to remember today, well 9/11 especially,” said Suarez.