16 Years Later: A Look At Menlo Park's 9/11 Responders

MENLO PARK, CA — The attached photo shows members of California Task Force 3, the Bay Area's Urban Search and Rescue Team, working at the collapse site of the World Trade Center in New York after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

But, where are they now?

From left to right (See below) Members of California Task Force 3 take a break when all work at the World Trade Center Collapse is stopped and Rescuers are asked to clear the debris field in order to attempt to pull remaining portions of WTC Tower 1 down for safety during night shift operations.

Harold Schapelhouman is now the Fire Chief for the Menlo Park Fire District - He was one of two Task Force Leaders for Task Force 3 during the response to the World Trade Center Collapse and worked the night shift managing search, recovery, void exploration and debris removal at the site near the Globe.

Ray Lui is a Structural Engineer for the City and County of San Francisco - He is currently still with the Team and was just deployed to Hurricane Irma. During the response to the Trade Center he evaluated Structural stability of areas the team worked on and in, specifically sub-surface operations, or void stability for entry by team members.

Ben Marra is an Acting Division Chief with the Menlo Park Fire District. He just returned from the Helena Wild Fire near Roseville where he worked as an assistant Strike Team Leader with a five Engine local area municipal response Team out of Central San Mateo County. During the Trade Center collapse he served as a Rescue Team Manager that directly supervised, coordinated and integrated 30 Task Force 3 personnel with FDNY and other local responders on the collapse pile, sub-surface areas and in the remaining Tower stairwells.

Jim Stevens is a Division Chief with the Menlo Park Fire District in charge of field operations. He just returned from Hurricane Harvey where he supervised the Task Forces Water Rescue Teams operations primarily in Wharton Texas. During the Trade Center collapse he was a Medical Specialist (Paramedic) that treated Team member injuries, monitored proper personnel decontamination and assisted with the respectful and appropriate human remains recoveries encountered by the members of Task Force 3.

Fast Forward:
Today the serve their local communities with pride but humbled and tempered by what they have seen and done at not just the World Trade Center, but many other disasters since.

All have never forgotten the horrors and hero's of 9-11. They were all honored to be "boots on the ground" in New York representing the best of what The Bay Area Rescue Teams can provide to the Region, State and Nation.

ALSO SEE:

• Fire District Task Force Moving Into New East Palo Alto Location

— PHOTO AND TEXT SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: Menlo Park Fire Protection District