You're Invited: 100 Days at Ground Zero – A Powerful Firsthand Account of Leadership, Loss, and Lessons Learned

Waubonsee Community College invites students, employees, alumni, and community members to a powerful, in-person presentation: "100 Days at Ground Zero" with Dr. Mike Fagel—an emergency responder, public safety expert, and one of the many Americans forever changed by the events of September 11, 2001. 

Deployed by the U.S. Department of Justice, Dr. Fagel served over 100 days at Ground Zero in New York City as part of the Fire Department of New York’s (FDNY) safety and logistics teams. His unique presentation blends vivid personal testimony with rare artifacts, health insights, and operational detail to reflect on one of the most pivotal and devastating moments in American history.

What to Expect:

🔹 Personal Stories & Artifacts

See the actual respirators, hard hats, ID tags, maps, and field notebooks used on-site as Dr. Fagel recounts the physical and emotional toll of working at Ground Zero.

🔹 Health & Safety Impact

Learn how toxic dust exposure has led to long-term health issues—including respiratory damage, cancer, and life-altering physical effects.

🔹 Operational Complexity

Gain insight into the immense coordination required among OSHA, FDNY, FEMA, and others to manage safety and logistics in an unprecedented disaster zone.

🔹 Mental & Physical Aftermath

Hear candid reflections on the trauma and psychological impact faced by responders, and the challenges they continue to endure.

🔹 Broader Lessons for All of Us

Understand how 9/11 exposed serious gaps in emergency preparedness—and why readiness and respect for those sacrifices must remain part of our national consciousness.

📍 Location: Academic and Professional Center Room 110 BC at Waubonsee Community College’s Sugar Grove Campus AND on ZOOM

📅 Date & Time: Thursday, September 11 - Presentation 1 - 1:45 p.m. Reflection and Questions 1:45 - 2:30 p.m.

🎟️ Admission: Free and open to the public

FREE refreshments while supplies last.

RSVP for in-person attendance. 

Join the event on Zoom with this link:

https://waubonsee.zoom.us/j/94299615205

Come together to reflect, remember, and prepare for the future. This event will leave you informed, inspired, and deeply moved.

Dr. Fagel began his teaching career at Waubonsee Community College in the 1970s, and currently teaches at IIT downtown Chicago. He also taught at Northwestern and the University of Chicago. While working for FEMA and DOJ, he taught and delivered exercises in over 350 cities, 53 states and territories, as well as Mideast operations. His career spans decades of public service, and he has served on 3 local fire departments as well as law enforcement. He served as an Active Ready Reservist for the US Department of Justice from 1998 to 2003 and as a Reservist for FEMA from 1995 to 2005.

More information on 9/11 - https://guides.library.waubonsee.edu/Sept11