Twenty years have passed, and yet the the surprise, anguish, horror, and disbelief of Tuesday, September 11, 2001 is forever imprinted in our minds and hearts. We united as a country and held each other close. As call centers were overwhelmed and cell services were drowning in volume, we desperately reserved hope for loved ones, team members, neighbors, and those we've never met. We lit candles, wrote songs and poems, and stood under an eerily engine-free sky.
First responders ran toward danger, many giving all. Twenty years later, their children have continued the tradition of service and sacrifice. [Two decades later, more children of 9/11 victims are joining the FDNY than ever before. - New York Daily News]
Memorials and museums have risen with artifacts and stories of heroism. Most recently, the National Law Enforcement Museum re-opened with their Post - 9/11 Exhibit, showcasing 20+ artifacts that include airplane fragments from Flight 93, a steel beam from the World Trade Center, a limestone block from the damaged section of the Pentagon and part of the damaged food cart from Flight 93 when passenger Todd Beamer famously said, “Are you ready? OK. Let's roll.”
Above all, we promised to #NeverForget.
To honor the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, we asked Bio-One owners across the country to reflect on that fateful day. Below are their stories.
I am a retired FDNY fireman. I was assigned to Squad 41 in the South Bronx. We lost everyone, all six, working that insane day. Me and the rest of the crew were down at the WTC site by 12:30 on 9/11. I worked down at the site for over 56 hours before we broke up into sections and teams. Long story short I was basically working at the WTC site for the next nine months. It seems like yesterday and way to many stories and close calls and everything to say in a post.
- Owen McGovern, Bio-One owner in Eugene, Oregon
On September 11, 2001 I was in Tampa Florida at a training for work. Was in a conference room with glass walls and there was a tv on outside the room that I can see and saw the broadcast of the 2nd plane hitting. Also took us 4 days to get back to Connecticut because all flights were cancelled.
This year we are sponsoring the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Foundation golf tournament on Sept 11 2021.
- David Scott, Bio-One owner in Tuscon, Arizona
I was in Lakewood, Ca just getting up and getting ready to go to school. My aunt worked in tower 2 so we were all franticly trying to call her. By the grace of God, she was not at work. She was at an OB appointment when it happened.
This year, we will be participating in a stair climb which is the number of stairs in the twin towers as well as participate in a golf tournament to raise money and awareness.
- Rebecca Wallace, Bio-One owner in Flagstaff, Arizona
I was in between classes in high school in NY, laughing with friends and not a care in the world. Little did I know the ever lasting effects this tragic event would’ve had on my life. Teachers turned on the news in class. Just as the second plane was hitting. Juan and I were in school (yes we went to HS together lol). And I knew then he was in it and would sacrifice to fight back for our country. Even 20 years later, feels like yesterday. He joined the Marine Corps. We lost many friends, even still having to say goodbye to this day. All from the events of that one very sad day.
It’s a very somber day for me. No events. Just spending time with my kids and Juan. There is the 2021 Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk in New York City Sunday, September 26, 2021, that I would love to do participate in. But, to be honest, going into the city scares me.
Very emotional day for all Americans. Hits my NY heart extra hard.
- Nicole Morales, Bio-One owner in the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania)
I was at home in Denver with our 2 young sons, while Gregg Chiasson was in Manhattan on business. He had a flight later that day, which of course did not happen. We were unable to connect with each other for hours that day. This was frightening to me. Gregg's experience was live there in Manhattan. I'm so thankful that he was safe and made it home eventually.
- Cheryl Chaisson, Bio-One owner in Denver, Colorado
I was on my way to Tulare Western HS driving in my 1987 Dodge Ram50 truck to work. I remember hearing about it on the radio and I was in disbelief. Needless to say, I had to get ready to teach 160 HS students math and chemistry throughout the day. I don’t know if I made the right choice, but I decided to treat it like a regular day and went about teaching. As a young 29 year old, the gravity of the situation didn’t hit me like most. Other than saying a few prayers throughout the day, I spent the day teaching the best I could and gave student an opportunity to ask questions if it came up.
- Armand Amoranto, Bio-One owner in Oceanside, California
I was in Moscow Russia attending my first year of college. First time away from home. We had a math lecture and all of a sudden they turn on TV and we all stared in disbelief. We don’t know what is going on, we all thought it’s the beginning of world war 3. There were about 300 people in a room and we all stood up. Scary time. They sent us all home because no one including professors can concentrate but being scared on what’s next.
- Viktoriya Gonzales, Bio-One owner in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The roots of crime- and trauma-scene cleaning companies can be traced to the 1990s, and at that time only a dozen or so companies existed. The industry was widely unregulated and awareness of contamination risks were relatively non-existant.
"I was young and dumb and saw something you only see in movies, so I quickly shut the door, took a deep breath, sat on the couch with the widow and told everyone else to get her out of here and take her to lunch, and we’ll clean this up for her," said Nick-Anthony Zamucen, Founder of Bio-One Inc. "We were just trying to help a lady in her greatest time of need, and that’s for me how I got into the crime scene and cleaning business." Read Nick's story in Franchise Times.
Today, there are hundreds of companies that advertise crime and trauma scene cleaning, and a simple Google search may prove overwhelming when you're experiencing one of the most traumatic moments in your life. To help, we've listed pre-qualifying questions to ask before choosing a crime and trauma scene company.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Crime and Trauma Scene Cleaner
There are a number of key questions to ask crime and trauma scene cleaning technicians or business owners to properly root out which one is best for your goals and circumstances.
Last but certainly most important, make sure the business you speak with shows care and compassion for your situation. They should want to do everything possible to support you and your loved ones.
If you are searching for a crime and trauma scene cleaner, Bio-One is here for you. All of our offices adhere to our business motto Help First, Business Second and are available 24/7. Click here to search for a Bio-One team near you.
Bio-One answers the call to help our community and remediate a variety of scenes. From hoarding, crime scene cleaning, or simply giving back, we'd like to bring you into the Bio-One world by sharing stories of the unique and important work we do.
Here is this week's Weekly Wrap-Up.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
On August 3, Bio-One teams participated in their local National Night Out, an annual crime prevention event and community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships.
Check out these National Night Out Facebook posts from Bio-One teams in Marion County and Des Moines!
U.S. POLICE AND FIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Bio-One was the Presenting Sponsor of the 2021 U.S. Police and Fire Championships and we were thrilled to meet first responders all over the U.S. To see the action, scroll through our Bio-One Inc Instagram Highlights.
Here's a sneak peek!
IN THE NEWS
In case you missed it, Bio-One has been in the news! Here's the latest from Franchise Times and The Denver Gazette.
Bio-One teams across the U.S. answer calls to help their communities and remediate a variety of scenes. In our new blog series, we'd like to bring you into the Bio-One world by sharing stories of the unique and important work we do for local communities.
Here is Week 5 of our Bio-One Weekly Wrap-Up.
Chocolate Spill Makes for a Sweet Cleanup
In Scranton on March 25, Juan and Nicole Morales received a call for a "chocolate" cleanup. Assuming this was code for a sewage back-up, they rushed to scene to find a different situation entirely. Approximately 100 gallons of milk chocolate had spilled, covering asphalt outside a local business.
This is certainly the sweetest smelling job a Bio-One office has ever taken, but Nicole clarified, "That smell was nice for the first few minutes but at the end I felt sick. Good thing we had an awesome team that pushed through and got this done!"
After scraping the chocolate with a forklift and pressure washing the area, the Bio-One team received a five-star review. Well done!
Behind the Scenes with Citizen's Academy
Many Bio-One owners sign up for their local Citizen's Police Academy to acquaint themselves with the activities of their local police department. This week, Bio-One owner, Ginger Akemon, in Jacksonville, FL earned her Citizen's Police Academy certificate from the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
"Definitely a learning process. Each County has their own, my goal is to go to each county's classes. This was 10 weeks long and over an hour drive each way, but well worth it, " said Ginger.
Hoarding Transformation in Long Beach
In Long Beach, the Bio-One team has been working hard on several hoarding projects. These before and after pictures show the detail and expertise our teams bring to each job.
Bio-One teams across the U.S. answer calls to help their communities and remediate a variety of scenes. In our new blog series, we'd like to bring you into the Bio-One world by sharing stories of the unique and important work we do for local communities.
Here is Week 3 of our Bio-One Weekly Wrap-Up.
Five 30 Yard Dumpsters
The team in Pensacola has been working non-stop on a two story home that required Bio-One hoarding services. Over the course of five days, they filled five 30 yard dumpsters, and found multiple antique pieces, photographs, sentimental items and cash that was promptly turned over to the client.
Look through the transformation photos on their Facebook page!
Backing the Blue in Omaha
The Bio-One team in Omaha dropped off bagels at the Omaha Police Department just before roll call, and Vanessa Urbach, the civilian crime and prevention specialist, tweeted a "Thank You" with shoutouts to Bio-One. Joining the conversation was our own Bio-One Twitter handle, Deputy Chief Ken Kanger, host of the What's Up Omaha Podcast, and a number of other officers in the department.
Kudos to the Omaha team for backing the blue!
Safety First
Before Bio-One teams can help first, we have to ensure safety for every technician on the job site. This week, Bio-One owners took part in conversations about safety. Topics ranged from preventing common injuries on the job to attending OSHA training with Bob Easter. Jared Lafferty, Bio-One owner in Gwinnett County, even took the conversation to Twitter and featured safety protocols his team uses while on the job.
We couldn't be prouder of our teams for putting safety first!
Bio-One On A&E Hoarders
Bio-One had the honor of being a part of A&E’s Hoarders, season 11, episode 1. This episode featured a woman who had hoarded her husband’s home and left it in a desperate condition. The Bio-One team, alongside a therapist, professional organizer, family helpers, and the fire department, helped remove and clean the family’s home. Three tons of belongings and trash were put into dumpsters and removed from the premises.
What Is Hoarding?
Hoarding is a condition where an individual can’t let go of belongings, whether it’s family air looms, personal items, or even trash. They develop an emotional attachment that allows them to keep everything that makes its way into their home. This leads to accumulation of both personal items and filth that can span from floor to ceiling in every room of a house. Not only does this make it hard to move, function and live, it also creates an extremely hazardous environment with the dangers of rodent infestation, disease, mold, feces contamination, and more.
Call In The Professionals
It’s crucial that professionals are called for any type of hoarding situation. While it may seem like a matter of junk removal and cleaning, dangerous pathogens can be lurking about the home, especially as items are moved around during the cleaning process. Not only is this dangerous to inhale, it’s not suitable to touch without the proper gear. Bio-One always recommends professional removal because the knowledge, experience, personal protective equipment (PPE), and training needed for these types of situations. We follow OSHA regulations for cleanup, chemicals, and PPE to protect both our Bio-One team members and clients.
We thank you A&E for letting us come in and help. We always operate under the motto help first, business second.
If you know of anyone in need of Bio-One’s help, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are a 24/7 operation with offices all around the nation waiting for your call.
Bio-One is here to Help First, Business Second
When you request a service, our team focuses on accomplishing one goal: helping you. That’s why our professional technicians are on standby 24/7, every day of the year. We have the experience, training and licensing to get the job done efficiently, and can generally reach the scene within an hour. After we’ve made sure that you’re safe and the site does not pose a hazard to others, we’ll talk business. Because at Bio-One, we understand that compassion and expediency are requisites for helping you overcome a challenging situation. Our motto, “Help First, Business Second,” is a promise to you and an obligation for us. It’s indispensable to our aim of providing you with the best service the industry has to offer.
Using biohazard experts for cleanups
Biohazardous materials pose multiple safety risks to people in the immediate vicinity of a crime scene. Infectious pathogens from blood and other fluids spread disease and cause deleterious bodily reactions in people who have been exposed to them via open wounds and orifices. Moreover, surfaces that have been wiped down—and therefore appear clean—may in fact still harbor these dangerous bacteria. A deeper, more thorough decontamination is required in these circumstances.
That’s where we come in. Not only will Bio-One restore your property in a prompt and scrupulous manner, we’ll do it correctly. Because our team of certified and highly experienced technicians set the industry standard for biohazard cleanup. We have a flawless safety record—and we’ve been around for over 20 years to validate it. Whatever your situation is, we’ll ensure that the job is done right. We’re here to help.
