STCC staffer shares memories of deployment to ground zero after 9/11

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – On Sept. 11, 2001, Jonathan Miller was working at Springfield Technical Community College in his role overseeing health services when he heard news about an attack in New York.

In addition to working at STCC, Miller was a member of the Worcester Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT MA-2), a federal asset which provides rapid-response medical care in the aftermath of a disaster. September 2001 was his first “on-call” month.

“We were busy on campus seeing patients and I didn’t have time to pay much attention,” said Miller, who now is the coordinator of the STCC Health and Wellness Center (then known as health services).  “But after about an hour I was able to sit down and saw what was happening, and then it hit me. I thought, not only is this really bad, but I’m going.” Later in the day, Miller deployed to New York with his team.

The team first staged at Stewart Air National Guard Base with other federal assets, about 50 miles from ground zero. On Sept. 13^, New York City requested assistance, and that’s when Miller’s team entered the city. Their mission was to provide medical support to the crews working on “the pile,” the term rescue workers used to describe 1.8 million tons of wreckage at ground zero. The team established five medical aid stations and treated hundreds of responders each day.

Miller will carry the memories for the rest of his life. On the 20^th anniversary of the nation’s deadliest terrorist attack, he wants to share them in a Zoom presentation he is calling “9/11 Remembrance: A Responder’s Perspective.” On Sept. 9, at 2 p.m., STCC will host a webinar featuring Miller, who will recount stories and share emotions felt during the intense two weeks of his first DMAT deployment.

“I extend heartfelt gratitude to all of the brave people who put their lives on the line to save others,” said Dr. John B. Cook, president of Springfield Technical Community College. “We are proud of Jonathan for his decades-long service, not just to STCC, but on behalf of so many others as well. We will never forget what occurred 20 years ago. Please join the webinar on Sept. 9 to listen to Jonathan as he shares stories from that dark time in our history.”

Visit stcc.io/miller to register for the free webinar.

Working on the pile was very dangerous. That amount of dust was just tough for airways and for eyes. We’re treating a lot of respiratory and eye injuries. We also saw lots of lacerations, sprains, strains and fractures. Jonathan Miller, Coordinator, Health and Wellness Center at STCC

In an interview from his office on the STCC campus, Miller, a licensed physician assistant and 33 year veteran of the Monson Fire Department (he serves as assistant chief), described his experience assisting victims in New York. He and the members of his team ended up treating the thousands of people working at the pile.

“Working on the pile was very dangerous. That amount of dust was just tough for airways and for eyes. We’re treating a lot of respiratory and eye injuries. We also saw lots of lacerations, sprains, strains and fractures,” Miller said.

Miller treated traumatic injuries, but also witnessed the psychological impact on the workers. “The missing are people they worked with – they’re trying to find them, and they’re not giving up – and when we went in 48 hours into this, people were there straight from the get-go, there was a lot of exhaustion and deep sorrow” Miller recalled. “We weren’t there to provide counseling, but we were providing witness and support, and that was the immediate need.”

Miller said the emotional impact of the ordeal didn’t fully hit until he returned to Western Massachusetts, when he started getting calls and questions from people who wanted to know details about the experience. “It really didn’t bother me until I came home, and that was a moment. Once you’re out of it, and relaxed, and starting to try and process everything you saw, smelled and experienced, that was really, really hard,” Miller said. “I expected I’d get home and the next day I’d go into work. I actually had to take a couple of days and get away from the phone. Everyone was asking, ‘What was that like? It must have been something.’ And that was too much for me. I had to get away so I went to a friend’s cabin in Vermont for a couple of days.”

Miller said during the following year he presented a number of times to the public about his experience. Over the years, he’s continued working at STCC in different roles, including assisting with campus emergency preparation. While he holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in physician assistant studies, he went back to school and earned an associate degree in fire science from STCC in 2020. He also remains active in the community, serving in various emergency response and planning roles.

Why share his experience now?

“Something about the 20-year anniversary really for years has meant something to me, more than other anniversaries,” Miller said. “This will be the first time I will be in New York City for the ceremonies on the 11^th.”

He said it’s important that history never forgets what happened on Sept. 11, 2001. Some of the STCC students starting classes this fall were not even born when the tragedy occurred. They need to know how 9/11 has shaped their world, Miller said.

“Everyone said that we will never forget. The world forever has changed from this point on,” Miller said. “I hope this presentation will bring at least a moment of remembrance, from a responder’s perspective.”

Watch a webinar presentation by Jonathan Miller on Sept. 9, 2021.

Listen to Jonathan on "STCC Around" on WTCC-FM, 90.7 on Sept. 9, 2021.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequalled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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