Chapter 2: Expert Advice from those Who Serve

Our national sense of homeland security was suddenly shattered by the sneak attacks by Arab terrorists on 9/11/01. Our heroic first responders answered the 9/11/01 calls without hesitation. Our fire, police, emergency services, and military risked all in their hurried attempts to save the innocent victims. Unfortunately, many of our first responders paid the ultimate price for us. Later, our heroic first responders were sent to the four corners of the world to defend our homeland. After more than ten years and too many critical wounds to bodies and minds, they remain at watch in harm’s way. We agree that the human costs of this are unacceptably high and that we need to explore every avenue to reduce the prices paid by our first responders and their loved ones. After several years of intensive and extensive studies by a small group of well-trained researchers who were or are first responders, we offer this book as a service to all those who put service above self. This work has been a labor of love, and we seek no compensation beyond your assistance in protecting our citizen’s heroes.