When does it become a body recovery mission?

[Cheyenne]

It has been 6 days and there are still over 5,000 people missing in New York. No one alive has been found in the rubble since Wednesday, according to TV news sources.

When does the rescue mission become a recovery mission, looking for the bodies to return them to their loved ones? Do the firemen stay working there at that point? Or are they there only as long as there is hope of finding someone alive?

 

[batter]

my guess would be that as long as it is a rescue mission, they will stay where they are.
once it is classed as a search, they will be returned to the firestations.
they may keep a few for fire watch detail.
perhaps then it will be militia (military reserves) who will take on the task.

 

[cymbidia]

The families with missing people have already been told, very gently, very quietly, that the odds of finding anyone alive now are small and diminishing every day.

The religious people, rabbis and priests and ministers and the like, all insist that there is still hope, and to keep praying - but the civilian authorities have begun quietly telling families that, though the **rescue** effort continues, the likelihood of finding anyone alive is becoming less and less with every passing day.

And the families already know that. We're not stupid.

In my family, we're already in mourning for my two relatives, my cousin Andre and my Aunt Miriam. My uncle, who has been going crazy with worry since it all happened, is pulling himself together a little and beginning to mourn with the rest of us. Our big hope now is that thier bodies are recovered intact.

 

[registered "^^"]

Sadly, all it is at this point is a body recovery mission. After this length of time finding any survivors would indeed be a miracle. Over 400 bodies have been recovered so far. There is a massive amount of debris to be removed before they ever get close to where the actual structure stood. They tunneled into the subway underneath last night and found no one.

 

[Gilly Bean]

Sadly, all it is at this point is a body recovery mission. After this length of time finding any survivors would indeed be a miracle. Over 400 bodies have been recovered so far. There is a massive amount of debris to be removed before they ever get close to where the actual structure stood. They tunneled into the subway underneath last night and found no one.

I think I agree. While they are still calling it a rescue mission, it is all out a recovery mission. Calling it that gives some people a bit of hope yet, and probably gets more help in the clearing.

I can't imagine the sheer will power and determination someone would have to have to be able to do that, day after day. I would break. Emotionally, I would not be able to handle doing it. There are many fine men and women out there that have my full admiration in how they are able to continue on, with hope in thier hearts.

 

[Starfish]

I think they (the firemen) will refuse to leave.
I've seen their faces filled with determination to find what ever they can, and they are there for the families, whether it is good news or bad news.

Miricles do happen, but it is so sad, but it is time to face reality, and most are doing that now. Even those firemen, but I still doubt they'll stop working without a fight.

Cymbidia, I am still praying for a miricle for you, but I am truely sorry for you family's pain and suffering, and potential loss.

 

[shadowsource]

No real difference:

They still have to look for evidence. If it makes them feel better to imagine survivors might be sequestered in pockets (which is imaginable, if you've even seen the WTC's underground tunnels), so be it. They found a hijacker's passport on a sidewalk a couple of blocks away, which indicates how much evidence might endure.

 

[Cheyenne]

I asked a firefighter friend today what he thought. He works on the special team rescue crew here. He said he guessed it would be another week before the firefighters gave up the "rescue" mission since in this case, there were underground levels in the WTC. He thought if there was any chance of finding someone alive, it would be in the underground levels that the firefighters are still trying to reach. I know he is a firefighter, too, and doesn't want to think about the rescue effort being over. BUT, he said there truly is still hope for a miracle in those underground levels.

I didn't ask him what happens when it is officially deemed to be a recovery mission, but I believe the firefighters leave at that point and recovery is turned over to a new crew of people as Batter suggested earlier.

 

[Wizard]

I hear ya but I did hear a piece on CNN that folks could live in those condition for up to 12 or 14 days.................

I'm with you .......It don't look good ...I understand that.

 

[nasty]

DEAR LORD!!!!!!!

Originally posted by cymbidia [/i
In my family, we're already in mourning for my two relatives, my cousin Andre and my Aunt Miriam. My uncle, who has been going crazy with worry since it all happened, is pulling himself together a little and beginning to mourn with the rest of us. Our big hope now is that thier bodies are recovered intact. [/B]

I hope your doing ok.

 

[Cheyenne]

NBC just said again how no one alive has been found in 5 days, but some firefighters still have hope that people could survive 7 to 10 days in a pocket with air. They keep digging.

 

[Guest]

I asked a firefighter friend today what he thought. He works on the special team rescue crew here. He said he guessed it would be another week before the firefighters gave up the "rescue" mission since in this case, there were underground levels in the WTC. He thought if there was any chance of finding someone alive, it would be in the underground levels that the firefighters are still trying to reach. I know he is a firefighter, too, and doesn't want to think about the rescue effort being over. BUT, he said there truly is still hope for a miracle in those underground levels.

I didn't ask him what happens when it is officially deemed to be a recovery mission, but I believe the firefighters leave at that point and recovery is turned over to a new crew of people as Batter suggested earlier.

The same thing was on TV this morning, they were talking about "pockets" that haven't collapsed under the WTC. They don't hear anyone making noise, but that doesn't mean no one is there. Engineers are helping the firemen find the pockets.

 

[beckbabe]

Just a note, due to the sprinkler systems there is definately water down there. If someone is trapped in an air pocket that would give them better odds. I f they can find even one person alive, then it's a "rescue mission." I hope, like everyone else, that there are more survivors.