Hundreds decontaminated at Atlantic Highlands site

JERRY WOLKOWITZ A woman coming off the ferry at the Highlands marina gets hosed down to remove asbestos, soot, dust and other contaminants she was exposed to in the attack on the World Trade Center’s twin towers.

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS — The scene was harrowing. Hundreds of terrified commuters were waiting in line near the borough marina to be decontaminated from airplane fuel, asbestos, blood, cement dust, glass, oil, and anything else that might have accumulated on their skin, hair, and clothing after terrorists crashed two hijacked airplanes into the World Trade Center twin towers Sept. 11.

People flocked out of New York City by the thousands, not caring where they ended up, just wanting sanctuary on the Jersey Shore. A great majority of those people got out on the Sister Ferry, based in Highlands.

Those people who were injured were sent to area hospitals. Others were sent on buses to the Atlantic Highlands Harbor to begin the healing process. That process began with EMS workers and volunteers making sure that everyone was safe and not in shock. An EMS worker, who did not wish to be identified, said, "These people have been through so much today. It’s our job to make sure that we can comfort and help them in any way possible."

At 9:30 a.m., Atlantic Highlands Fire Chief Jerry Vasto and police Capt. John Amici called Adam Hubeny, the head of the borough’s Office of Emergency Management, and told him that they were going to have to activate the office because people were being sent to the town.

"Atlantic Highlands received word that we might be receiving people via the SeaStreak ferry. We later received word that we were not going to receive anyone in Atlantic Highlands via the boat, but Highlands was to receive all of the people who disembarked," Hubeny explained.

Once the passengers landed in Highlands, they were triaged and then transported to Atlantic Highlands. Once they arrived in the harbor, their names were taken by hundreds of volunteers. The next step was to begin the contamination.

Hubeny said an estimated 1,000 people went through Atlantic Highlands seeking safety from New York, including approximately 700 who underwent a decontamination process.

"I think the overall operation went extremely well under the circumstances," he said. "We were dealing with many, many issues, and I think collectively we all worked as one to achieve our goal.

"The operation was a cooperative effort between Atlantic Highlands Fire Department, the Atlantic Highlands First Aid, the Middletown Fire Department, the Monmouth County Board of Health and the many doctors, nurses, and other volunteers who were on hand to help."

People were lined up and thoroughly washed off in special decontamination tents that, aside from drills, were being used for the first time. Hubeny said the borough purchased the tents with a $29,000 federal terrorism grant.

"Our concern was glass, asbestos and any type of fuels that could have gotten on the skin. We did not want people going home with clothes that were contaminated and introducing it to their families," Hubeny said.

The Red Cross, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and local thrift shops provided clothing for people to change into, and doctors and nurses were present to speak with them and make sure they were OK.