EP38: Chief Jack Oehm: From Ground Zero to a New Mission with Tunnel to Towers
In this episode, we are joined by retired FDNY Battalion Chief Jack Oehm, who was a 32-year veteran of the fire department. Chief Oehm shares his personal experiences from September 11, 2001, when he responded to the World Trade Center after his battalion lost 20 men. He recounts the eerie silence at Ground Zero, broken only by the sound of firefighters’ personal alert safety system (PASS) alarms going off, signaling that they were motionless and buried in the rubble. Amid the despair, he also shares stories of hope and the "goodness of America," such as the Tennessee firefighters who drove all night to help, and middle school kids from South Carolina who raised over $500,000 to help the FDNY buy a new fire truck.
Chief Oehm, a board member of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, details the foundation's incredible mission, which was inspired by the actions of fallen FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller. On 9/11, after hearing of the attack, Siller drove to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but since it was closed, he put 60 pounds of gear on his back and ran 1.7 miles to the towers to join the rescue effort. He was never seen again. Siller's family founded the organization to ensure the memory of the 2,977 Americans killed that day would live on through acts of good.
The foundation's programs are a testament to this mission. It builds "smart homes" for catastrophically injured first responders and military veterans, and pays off the mortgages of those killed in the line of duty, with over 1,500 mortgages paid off to date. In 2022, they launched an initiative to eradicate homelessness among veterans, renovating hotels into apartments with supportive services. Chief Oehm explains how these programs are funded by events like the annual Tunnel to Towers 5K run, which has grown from 1,500 runners in 2002 to 40,000 last year. He calls the run a "life-changing" experience that inspires people and honors the fallen.
Chief Oehm passionately talks about the importance of teaching 9/11 history to a new generation, noting that the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has created a K-12 curriculum for teachers to download from its website. He also speaks of the immense loss of life on 9/11, highlighting the emotional toll of attending funerals and memorial services for men whose remains were never recovered. He shares a powerful memory of when a body part was found at Ground Zero, and all work would stop as thousands of first responders and construction workers would stand at attention and salute as the remains were removed with dignity. Chief Oehm's story is a profound reminder of the bravery and sacrifice that day and the incredible work that continues to this day.
