Huntley Fire Protection District Dedicates Fire Station 4, Honors 9/11 Heroes

Bill Frieberg of Elgin became emotional when he explained the FDNY sweatshirt he wore to the 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Huntley Fire Protection Station 4 Sunday. As one of more than 300 guests, Freiberg said for him the day represented "a very personal connection."

A retired lieutenant from Elgin Fire Department, Frieberg said when the events of 9/11 transpired ten years ago, he made up his mind not to be intimidated by fear.

"I was scheduled to fly to Pennsylvania just three days after it happened," said Frieberg. "I said to my wife, 'They can't keep this dog under the porch. I'm going.’”

As planned, he traveled to the east coast, where he bought his FDNY sweatshirt, and since then compiled a photo collection shared with him by those who visited Ground Zero. The images were part of Sunday’s ceremony, screened in the firefighter conference room for visitors' reflection during a tour of the new fire station four.

Also at the event, Huntley Fire Protection District Chief James Saletta and Deputy Chief Ken Caudle provided remarks about the new engine for the station, and the station itself, which is designed to be energy efficient.

A timeline of events of 9/11 was narrated with the sounding of a bell, and a moment of silence was observed for the 343 FDNY firefighters, two FDNY paramedics, 23 NYPD officers, 37 Port Authority police, 8 EMTs and paramedics from private units, 246 airline passengers, 2605 people in World Trade Center Towers one and two, and 125 Pentagon employees who lost their lives.

Pastor Kangse Lee of Christ United Methodist Church next to Station 4, constructed this summer, was asked to say a prayer for the occasion.

“We pray for all the firefighters and paramedics for their help and wisdom, and sound mind and body, so they can make the right decisions at crucial moments,” said Lee. “Help us to be united in prayer whenever we hear sirens, so we can show our support for their ministry for the community.”

Chief James Saletta said in honoring the memory of those whose lives were lost on September 11, 2001, it is important to remember their contributions.

“Don't forget what the firefighters accomplished,” he said. “They extracted over 20,000 people from those buildings before they came down...they gave their lives for others.”