72 pages • 2-hour read
The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11
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Index of Terms
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
A US Department of Transportation agency, the FAA regulates flight inspection standards and air transportation and facility safety. After the events of 9/11, the FAA required more stringent safety and security standards in multiple areas.
Fire Department of New York (FDNY)
During the WTC attacks, most first responders were FDNY members. Of the roughly 3,000 people killed in the events of 9/11, 343 were FDNY firefighters, 15 of whom were from the station closest to the WTC.
Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS)
Based in the city of Rome, New York, NEADS is part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) agency. In response to the 9/11 attacks, NEADS launched military jets over Washington, DC.
New York Police Department (NYPD) and Port Authority Police Department (PAPD)
Along with the FDNY, the NYPD and PAPD responded to the WTC attacks. Twenty-three NYPD officers and 37 PAPD officers lost their lives on 9/11.
Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC)
Located under the East Wing of the White House, the PEOC is a bunkerlike structure that serves as a secure shelter and communications center for the US president and others during an emergency like 9/11. This is a separate facility from the Situation Room, an intelligence management center on the ground floor of the White House’s West Wing.
Scrambling
Scrambling is the act of quickly deploying aircraft, usually in response to a pressing threat, such as hostile aircrafts. During the 9/11 attacks, scrambling of military aircraft was part of the response to the threat.
10-13 and 10-60 Codes
Forms of shorthand used by law enforcement, “ten” codes enable expedited and efficient communication of accepted, common phrases. These codes may differ by jurisdiction. In the NYPD and FDNY system, “10-13” means that an officer needs immediate assistance, while “10-60” indicates that a mass casualty event has occurred. These codes were in frequent use after the 9/11 WTC attacks.
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