9/11 Memorial and Westfield Shopping Center!

Yesterday was a very interesting day indeed.   Last week I met a fellow Fellow called Ian Nuttal, who is researching 'Practical Lessons Learnt from Major Disasters' in the States.  He is a Search and Rescue Firefighter in the UK.  He came to NYC and we met up! He asked if he could come along to my meeting with the '9/11 Memorial and Museum' Team.  I asked the team, who said they were more than happy for us both to attend.  We arrived at their office, on the 20th floor overlooking Ground Zero, and were treated to a presentation around the planning for the Memorial and Museum.  We also met with the Head of Education (Picture below), an Oral Historian and a Curator.  The Museum does not open until next year, however I would urge anyone visiting NYC next year to visit, as from the preview images I was shown, it looks to be an amazing facility.
After our meeting we were taken down to the site and escorted to the front of the queue.  After very thorough security checks (of which Ian did not have to take part in, as he is a responder), we entered the site.  It is very moving, but what becomes clear almost instantly, is that it is not Ground Zero anymore... It is a place for reflection and peace.  The site is still surrounded by construction work, yet has a sense of calm and quiet.  The names of the victims are grouped together as per where they died (picture below).  So each plane, each company, each emergency service, has it's own place.
Something that interested me greatly was The Survivor Tree (picture below).  The only tree that survived the attacks.  The Tree is the only Callary Pear Tree at the site.  The new trees that have been planted are Swamp White Oak Trees (225 planted so far, 416 eventually).  The Survivor Tree, is a gathering place for those that survived the attacks, a symbol of growth and recovery... as you can clearly see where the Tree began to grow following it's ordeal.
It was a moving afternoon, but at the same time it is amazing to see the recovery of the community taking place before your eyes, ten long years on.

Today I was invited to Paramus Shopping Mall, the second largest in The States! I met with the Secuirty Manager and we talked about the risk management he has put in place since the attacks, the extra security, and their emergency plans.  I also met with the Emergency Manager for the municipality of Paramus, and we swapped stories and shared information.
The Mall is owned by Westfield, so it was of particular interest to discuss security, because of the Stratford Westfield being so closely located to the Olympic Park!

Tomorrow I head to JP Morgan, to attend a Business Continuity Conference entitled 'Ten Years On'.

Unfortunatley I have still not met with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as they are still deployed upstate looking atter those affected by Irene.  So, after some thought, I suggested that I travel upstate to meet them and witness the work they are doing.. so that will happen on Friday, they can't come to me, so I will go to them!

Enjoy my pictures, more soon